A Promise is a Promise

23

Travelling through Pakistan just after Benazir's assassination, I was surprised by one thing. Amidst all the recrimination, all the accusations, and all the conspiracy theories, not once did I hear anyone blame India. Or as would have been the case some years ago, Indian 'agencies'. From the average person in Larkana, to the intellectual in Islamabad, no one said India was plotting to 'destabilise' Pakistan. In fact wherever I went people were appreciative of India's support in what they saw as their darkest days. The bonhomie remained when I returned this month for the elections. I normally hear bitter complaints from Foreign ministry officials about how Indian journalists are 'biased' against Pakistan. Instead I heard from them, even from the President's office, how Indian journalists understand their politics and their problems so much better than Western journalists! Call me a cynic, the absence of bitterness is the....

Pak Poll Diary: In and out of exile

0

Pakistan is a revolving door for its politicians, all of whom have taken regular turns to come in and go out of the country in succession. What's more amazing, all the years spent away doesn't impact their parties too much. At a rally in Attock, Nawaz Sharif, says he is surprised himself. "Out of sight, out of mind, that's normally the way," explained the PML-N leader as he basked in the chants of the crowds that came to see him, "Its a miracle my party cadre has stayed intact. "The elections results of course would only serve to make him and Benazir, were she alive, happier, and still more surprised. Both the PPP and the PML-N- that have come up trumps have had a leadership that's lived abroad for the most part of a decade. Clearly for Pakistan, "Out of sight is definitely NOT....

Pak Poll Diary: From a journo in bullet-proof vest

3

As I pack my bags for the Pakistan elections, I pack a lot of advice too - from my family to the neighbours, to the immigration official who stamps my passport - they all say pretty much the same thing: 'Don't go!' Actually the immigration official says much more. "It's a country in turmoil," he tells me angrily. "And it's not our problem. Let them sort out their own elections, why do you need to go?" I am grateful for his concern, but I am not taking the advice - just as we would go if we were sent on an assignment to cover the elections in the Bahamas (no, not hinting.... :)) so too my cameraman and I will go to Lahore. Thin Convoys, Thinner Crowds In a sense, the intense worry about security is having an unusual effect - a return to grassroots democracy.....

Hating Hillary is a Head and Heart Thing

11

It's a head and heart thing. Each time I see Hillary at a rally or a debate I am turned off. Her body language, her tone, the way her eyes narrow when she squares for a fight, all bring my hackles up. And yet, and yet....if I could vote in the US elections...when it comes down to those 5 seconds in the polling booth- I have a sneaking feeling she could get away with my vote. And I know I am not alone. Last week CNN found a curious survey- in it voters in California were asked who they preferred for president. They were then hooked up to neuro transmitters and shown videotapes of the presidential debates to see how their nerve impulses responded to each of the candidates. And there it was- many of those who said Hillary Clinton put them off actually responded very positively to seeing....