Upstarts' startling demolition debut

September 20, 2008 like March 9, 2007, is amongst the defining moments in Pakistan's contemporary history. It would also ranks amongst its bleakest. Future destiny of this nation could well be determined by facts as they happened on this day. The attack outside the five-star Marriott Hotel - not far from key government buildings - happened early in the evening shortly after iftar and only few hours after Zardari as president addressed a joint session of the two houses of Parliament where he said rhetorically that Pakistan would not allow the use of its territory for terrorist activities.
It was supposed to be a triumphant week for President Zardari who made his debut in national politics by making his presidential address to Parliament, a feat Musharraf could not perform for years. On the day of the blast he was to fly to New York to make his debut on the world stage by addressing the UNGA. Startlingly within days of his election he has been to Dubai, London and New York on non-official work while a patent demolition process is underway within the country. He has not helped his already affected image by his over friendly greetings to Sara Palin, the Republican vice-presidential candidate.
A startling phenomenon is evident when it is realised that he finds himself struggling to maintain his political footing in the face of contending pressures that threaten to knock him off balance. Certainly a political upstart, having done himself no service by surrounding himself with a bunch of other rank upstarts to face the nation's multifaceted problems. His credibility is still suspect given his reneging on three written agreements with PML-N to restore the deposed judiciary.
The complexity of problems is formidable. Pakistan's international credit ranking is now lowest in Asia. Economically in the last six months - inflation is touching 30 percent - there is hardly any wheat to feed the people, electricity is going on and off as it pleases, law and order is palpably abysmal and there is no sign of good governance starting with the dragging on of judges' issue which brought down the Musharraf junta.
In an address to the nation, Zardari vowed to "continue to fight terrorism and extremism." The horrific bombing at Marriott is only the latest sign that it would require for both the US and indeed Islamabad working a lot harder to come up with a policy that bolsters Pakistan's fragile civilian government while enlisting its full support in the fight against militants.
On this fateful day in a startling manner the fundamental realities of the political dynamics of this nation were unfolded. On the one hand we witnessed the much awaited presidential address of Zardari after assuming the highest office; on the other hand we saw the utter demolition of the Marriott by an act of such terrible ferocity as to leave many just dumbfound. Since this attack was presumably by elements referred to by Zardari as "extremists", no emphasis is required to emphasise that it is a direct result of the recent actions in the FATA areas in this war against terror.
While it remains to be scientifically established whether it was 'in simpliciter' an act of terrorism or was it a communication expressed in extreme savagery designed to convey a message on an important day? If so then to whom and by who was this message sent? In parenthesis it may be added that on the same day five other acts of terrorism against security personal also took place including the ambush of a military convoy in FATA killing seven soldiers. In sum this day on which the administration was jubilant at finally acquiring all the major political offices, there was in process, widespread disgruntlement against the incumbent regime as well.