It was a sunny morning in Karachi (most mornings tend to be so there),
the new capital of a new country. A country and a nation with so much
promise and so much to offer. A country with great leaders with even
greater foresight. The sight and sound of a brand new flag and anthem
was all over the country - in both wings. Yet in three short years, we
lost our great leaders. A cycle of incompetent governments followed by
military dictatorships ensued - which led to the loss of our eastern
half. This, in short, is the story of our first 25 years of existence.
What have we done in the following 25?

Let's see. A new leader with lots of promises and even greater energy,
who galvanized the masses. Unfortunately, he proceeded to nationalize
all the private institutions in a misguided attempt at socialism, which
destroyed all private enterprise and eventually caused his downfall
following rigged elections. This was followed by the longest period of
military rule by a power hungry, small-minded man who only wanted
power. It took the crash of a C-130 plane to end that era. Again the
hope of a brave New World with democracy, freedom and yes perhaps even
progress.

Why is history so harsh with us? Is it because we have obstinately and
resolutely decided that we shall not learn its lesson? Or is it that we
deserve all that is given to us? These are rhetorical questions. They
do not require any answer. The questions that history asks, though are
much more pointed and if left unanswered or incorrectly answered the
punishment is swift, severe and repetitive. So over the past 10 years
and 4 elections, we have seen history repeat itself again and again.
Both premiers of the decade have been blessed with an unusual lack of
any intelligence and a selfishness, which would be funny, if it wasn't
destroying the nation. Even now, the Mian has a cabinet of 41
ministers. FORTY ONE (count 'em)!! I can't even think of thirty things
that would need a minister. It seems that the only people with any
sense are those in the IMF who are not going to give these ministers any
money unless land reform (among other things) is undertaken.

When all else fails, we collectively turn to Cricket. Yes!! We are
better than India (so what if we can't beat Sri Lanka? WE don't have 957 runs scored against us, do we?) And then there is Imran Khan. Hey, we're not doing so badly after all. Pakistan Paindabad.