Hope in Peshawar - City on the Frontier

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Everything about the show was secretive — the invitations given only to select women, and no prior advertising. When audience members sat in the new orange seats at the performance hall, they saw six odd shapes on stage, hidden under sheets of paper and tape.

[...]

But in Nishtar Hall, the event was revolutionary. For five years the government-run performance hall had been essentially closed by the provincial government, run by conservative Islamic clerics who believed concerts, dance performances and plays had no place in Peshawar, once known as "the city of flowers."

[...]

"I pray we can put Pakistan on the track of democracy," announced Syed Aqil Shah, the new provincial culture minister, one of the few men invited to the show and the only man to speak from the stage. "I say it from the core of my heart, because the last government would have taken us back to the Stone Ages if they had won the election."
By Kim Barker Chicago Tribune correspondent April 20, 2008


This is very hopeful. While we should be singing in the streets, it may only be the calm before the storm. This city has given rise to unparalleled support for bin laden and his band of murdering men. For the tide to turn, not 180 degrees nor even 360, but seemingly to enter an alternate universe is just too much to believe at this time. Maybe, but it may also be a blip and or may be the calm before the storm.

This would never have happened had Pakistan not been pushed and had not the invasion of Afghanistan taken place. The reason is clear - the alternative does not appear as desirable any more. Further, had al qaida not been routed in Iraq and Afghanistan, they would not have resorted to support for the murder of former prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, which propelled support for her party beyond what otherwise may have been the natural course. Hopefully, with several years of liberal attitudes and openness, the people will reject a closed-door mentality.

It is unfortunate the minister mentioned above will be a casualty, claimed by al qaida for his willingness to let sunshine in to a very dark and musty place. We can hope all the negative will end in more positive results for the people of Pakistan and by extension, the world.