THESE are the most uncertain of times and the most familiar of times. Indeed, life in Pakistan, despite the unpredictability and uncertainty, brings familiar patterns. There is after all the summer heat — it does get unbearable at its peak but one can never be sure if the monsoon will be on time or early and whether it will bring unprecedented rains or far too little. In politics, there are the personality-dominated political parties and the military’s domination of politics. Let’s call it establishment to be more precise. It surely is as familiar to us as the ‘Karachi versus Lahore’ debate (and about as unresolved).

Most of my schooldays passed under the shadow of Zia; by the time I began working, a plane was hijacked, PTV’s walls were scaled and then came images of Gen Musharraf travelling all over the world, feted and loved, perhaps far more than he was in Islamabad. And now as a middle-aged, tired hack, I am being taught about the wonders of hybrid regimes. And there is much love and adoration coming our way yet again from lands to the west of us, near and far.

However, from the man of religion to the enlightened moderate to the present, the soap opera plot introduces enough changes to fool the viewers. But us ‘oldies’ can still squint and recognise the meet-cute plot devices. Popular leaders are a no-no — silenced, jailed or exiled.........

© Dawn