Ali Malik's blog

People who have lived in New York for some time and were not there during 9/11 were unanimous in their opinion upon return from NYC visit post 9/11, "it really feels sad to see NYC without twin towers". Mind you these people had no direct connection to the 9/11 tragedy and so their sadness and reaction looked a bit over-board to me. But not any more, for since yesterday, we are witnessing a "Basant" in Lahore without any kite flying and this has made me feel sad much the same way the New Yorkers did on their return to NYC post 9/11. There certainly is no alternative to a human life. But being rational we should think whether there is no other way left except an all out ban on kite-flying or is it just the particular ad hoc approach that bans dual-carriage on motorcycles after any terrorist attack. If it is a failure of public policy (and I believe it is), from problem definition to execution, it better be dealt as one and not through banning a tradition and custom

President Bush has completed his South-Asian visit. And all through out, there has been a growing feeling in Pakistan that we have been wronged. On all issues from terrorism to nuclear energy deal, from Kashmir to trade deal, nothing seems to benefit us. And above all, it seems that the pressure on Gen. Musharaf is increasing on issues ranging from terrorism to democracy. Many draw parallels to the fair-weather friendship of US in the past where US had used Pakistan in her hour of need and then abandoned it. It could be argued in terms of real-politik who was to be blamed for that inconsistent pattern of friendship. But observing Bush's language and body language, it looks anything but abandonment. Let us look at the issues that were the corner stone of this visit. Make no mess about it; the visit was for India only. Pakistan and Afghanistan were mere stopovers for some sort of compensation. The headline of the visit is a civilian nuclear deal signed between US and India. The deal