the general goes

Last night I actually asked a friend to text me with the news if Musharraf resigned while I was in hospital. But today I awoke to find out the General obligingly beat me to it. And yes, I know the judiciary hadn't been restored and the constitution's still in tatters and the current coalition leaves so much to be desired, but still, we are celebrating. Back in November, several of our colleagues and allies in Pakistan were sitting in jail, and people were saying they thought this would only end when Mush went out Zia-style. It's a rare and momentous thing anywhere to see a military strongman resign and slink away, amidst sky-high unpopularity ratings (now can we have a little of that for Zim too, please?) All congratulations to the many people who fought this battle. To borrow Manan's words--"Pakistan just had a slow-burning, people-powered, secular revolution and they forced a sitting dictator - who had the complete confidence and support of the only superpower in the world - out."

It sounds like he's staying in Pakistan for the time being, contra this highly speculative ToI piece about possible exile locations (not Büyükada, please! Turkey's got enough troublesome generals of its own, and Orhan Pamuk deserves nicer neighbors).

In April, B. sent me this clip--a recent addition to the long tradition of Pakistani protest song, based on a satirical poem of Habib Jalib and performed by the group Laal. I've been listening to it at my desk all morning--follow the YouTube link for the lyrics, and savour the last lines especially. Happy slightly belated Independence Day, and I'm looking forward to visiting a post-Musharraf Pakistan come January.