The recent post Benazir assassination events have proved to be shocking to most, if not all, Pakistanis. The surge in violence in the north, pathetic looting and inexcusable murders in the south, country-wide political instability and a warranted overall mistrust in the people are enough to dampen anyone's mood at the start of this year. But I'm sure there must have been many who'd have kept the newly formed 'tradition' of getting drunk and celebrating the advent of another foreseeable misery-filled year for Pakistan.
Things were not always like this, I am quite sure. I remember the times when all people had to worry about during this season was the fog, drink driving and some gossip about certain parties happening at certain farm houses that everyone else seemed to have been to!
Now when mosques are not safe for worshipers, streets are not safe for the police, courts are not safe for the judges and campaigning is not safe for politicians; when 'miscreants' are killing their fellow countrymen at every given chance; things have changed for sure.
General Zia used Islam as a political tool giving power and arms to those who were certain to misuse these. And those who benefited the most were so called Islamic parties and their 'well-wishers' in the establishment (read covert organizations).
I always say that General Zia is to blame for creating a false and controversial image of Islam in the eyes of general public. Now General Musharraf has done the same to the Army.
The 'enlightenment' of society brought about by the current leader has created a wide gap between a small group of people, who want to enjoy every freedom without the bounds of law or religion, and a large population who are surprised, rather shocked at their quickly eroding culture and values.
I would venture even further to claim that General Musharraf in his haste to modernize us, has embarked on a mission to ethnically cleanse Pakistan of all those who believe that religion and morality are not a personal thing but a community issue and need to be applied that way.