Commander is Chief

In a remarkable event yesterday, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf did what few dictators in the midst of a political crisis would think of. It occurred at a press conference in Islamabad where he was updating dozens of national/international journalists on the latest in his game plan. Once he finished, he got up and moved towards the exit door but a few foreign correspondents pursued him with some tough questions. To the surprise of many the General didn't walk away. Some would say the correspondents got too close and too personal in their questioning, prodding him on his grip over the army after he takes off the uniform .But here was Musharraf, dressed in smart 'civilian' clothes, ready with his response, assuring everyone with a tone the bore the imprint of a man in charge. All impromptu!

My editor once told me how Musharraf remains a commando, with or without his military uniform. And like every commando he wants to respond to every shot fired at him, every question put to him from inside or outside of the official Press gallery. Even in his biography, 'In the Line of Fire' he comes across as someone who likes to be command. Many in Pakistan feared that the President will change his style after imposing the emergency, but that has not happened. Yesterday's event convinced me that my editor was right, once a commando always a commando.

Getting used to the Attention

In the run up to the current cricket series between India and Pakistan, the broadcasters ran a high voltage ad campaign to tune in its viewers. 'Get used to high tension' was the key blurb in the series of advertisements that had little to do with cricket but focused entirely on the tension that builds-up among the fans. After three matches, the two teams have not disappointed. The series is turning out to be the stuff the die-hard fans live for. So far India maintains a slight upper-hand thanks to some brilliant batting by the top as well as the middle and lower order batsmen. But for me the experience has been quite nerve-wrecking for reasons not listed on the score-board.

Back home it's not uncommon for people to tease me about my 'loyalties' every time there is an India-Pakistan match. I often reply with a great deal of artistic creativity, using the choicest of curses that I have collected especially to be savored on such occasions. But in Pakistan, my hosts have no doubt about my 'loyalties', and every time the match turns away from their team, they don't mind showing me who I am, an Indian. Every time Pakistan loses a wicket all eyes turn in my direction and every time an Indian batsman hits a boundary my cheering seems conspicuous. Of course it's all in good humour and after the match we return to our friendly routines. With three matches over and two more to go , I am not sure about the tension but I am certainly enjoying all the attention.

The Argumentative Pakistani

I was going through the best-sellers list at Liberty book store in Lahore when I noticed an interesting title at number 8. The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen has become a best-seller in Pakistan. The book traces the culture of argumentation in 'Indian History' and informs us how the dialogue and debates have nourished the intellectual life in the past. In the title of the book, I think the word Indian stands for something beyond the current political identity. It refers to a civilization that existed across South-Asia often in parts that are no more not part of the Indian territory. The fact that the Argumentative Indian is selling so well in Pakistan indicates that this South-Asian identity is still alive. Will it be wise to bring out new editions of the book under titles like, The Argumentative Sri-Lankan, The Argumentative Bangladeshi and the Argumentative Pakistani? I think not, The Argumentative South-Asian may not be a bad idea.