What now?

Ayaz Amir knows it. The dictator is here to stay. The moderates will not come out to protest. He still hopes to be proved wrong over the next couple of days. I think that will not happen. The dictator will stay. Pakistan will simply revert back to status-quo. In fact NS, I predict, will be back pretty soon to share in the spoils of the status-quo along with BB. All this is good news for the middle class moderates. They can go back to "good English", "cleaver political debates", "dunkin donuts", "GDP comparison of pakistan-india" with a splash of "good muslim behavior during kitty parties". As an aside, they need not worry about competition for cushy jobs just because their parents paid for a degree from some third rate British or US college. The unwashed will remain unwashed and that is such a relief.

The status quo will try its best to help the fundoos gain leadership of the "non-moderate" factions. Bribes, token gestures and a free road to martyrdom in Kashmir will be offered to the tribals through the chiefs (who will also be given more power to execute barbers). The US, Obama or Hillary, will realize its mistake - Pakistan is not ready for democracy. India will oblige too. While terrorism will induce more killings trade will definitely go up (a major concern amongst Indians today). Anti Pakistan gali galoch will gain credibility much to the relief of "moderates" both in India and Pakistan. Farzana V's and Jawed H's readership will increase just because more counter punches to counterpoints are to be made. In fact things look bright for "moderates" in both Pakistan and India and by extension for chowk and its advertisers.

So what now?

Nothing. Except for the fact that the family members of those killed in Lal Masjid will not be bought this time around. And if this family is big or growing or both then Pakistani "moderates" should start booking one-way tickets out of the country. Oh yes, Indian "moderates" should watch out too. For who knows ... the next bomb may explode in the India International Center right in the midst of "Save the Kashmiri Terrorist" seminar.