Ali Malik's blog

On September 9, 2008, with oath taking of Mr. Asif Ali Zardari as President of Pakistan, an era came to an end in the cycles of control over Pakistan. I have lived through this era and have been fortunate to observe the last few years of this era with close proximity and this post is my account of what happened to the best of my knowledge. Before I move forward with the narration, let me state a disclaimer, this account is based on what I saw observed, heard, read and analyzed. What I analyzed can certainly be wrong though it is supported by a logic which makes sense to me based on what I have known and seen. What I have heard might not be the final word as well. For though, the sources were mostly the people who were at the heart of the whole process, and I have no reason to doubt what they told me but again I, in some cases, might not be fully aware of the context of what I heard or came to know. Same holds true for what I observed or read. I state this disclaimer for three reasons...

Lately, after it being in my bookshelf for many months, I finally was able to read Khalid Hosseini's "The Kite Runner". A great book I must say. But the reason I mentioned this book is not to discuss the book. I share this here to highlight the symbolism of why I read this book now and not earlier - a symbolism over which I had no control. I have many friends who say that there is a great degree of symbolism in everything that we do and that happens around us. I never took it seriously. But in reading of the book, I realized there may be some symbolism in timing of this reading. To me the biggest revelation of the novel was to imagine and understand the reality of plight of refugees. With all the volatility surrounding my country and my society, I shuddered at the thought of a situation where my people - family, friends, relatives, neighbors, people of my city, my countrymen - might have to face this. I realized that in the turmoil surrounding us, this is a probability. ...