Will it surprise you to know that this piece is not about the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions? It will? Well, for an average Pakistani, this should have become something of a background hum by now. For my regular readers, this crisis — like the ones that may arise in the future — is merely the culmination of what I have been consistently warning against for over eleven years.

But my concerns were either wilfully ignored or, in the past seven years, creative ways were found to hurt me for highlighting them. When that happens, you are forced to conclude that the system's integrity is somewhat compromised - and to draw attention to the need for debugging. However, if nothing changes after that, you give up and let it play out.

Simply put, I have little patience for someone who ignores — or seeks to drown — my advice when a decision is being made, only to seek me out when the consequences of those ill-advised decisions become evident. This happened during the Taliban takeover of Kabul, the deal with the TTP, repeated Indian elections, the October 7 attack, the outrage over Gaza, and in more than one US election. Ever wondered why everything I say comes true? If your judgment is so faulty, my dear, that you would throw away water and try to drink sand to quench your thirst — you are welcome to it.

And that is why today's topic gives me such immense pleasure. What's the worst that can happen? That you will ignore my advice again? My dark side actually wants you to do that. I have made peace with my mortality and the imperfections of life — let's see how you handle the very definition of existential angst.

A lot has happened since last........

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