Pakistan onboard. Destination: democracy. The PPP and the PML are at each others’ throat no more. Celebrate, Asif’s and Nawaz’s political maturity. Celebrate; the PPP and the PML are bound by the ’spirit of democracy’. Celebrate moderation’s victory. Celebrate the end of ‘divide and conquer’. Get ready to celebrate the rule of law too. Celebrate elections. We can hold peaceful elections and elect our leaders too. Celebrate, this was the first election fought and won on issues. Celebrate, Pakistan’s largest political parties will jointly be tackling Pakistan’s problems. Celebrate, Asif and Nawaz are genuinely sharing power–now that’s a first.

Celebrate the civil society’s coup. Celebrate, the ‘revenge of democracy’. Celebrate the development of multiple centers of power. Celebrate the electronic media. Celebrate the lawyers’ movement. Celebrate the quiet, peaceful revolution.

“Forget everything else. Celebrate. This is Pakistan’s moment. This is Pakistan’s moment of glory. Pakistanis have always voted for democracy–and against fundamentalist parties–so make that known to the world. Let Kerrys and Bidens come and go, let them see the celebration Pakistanis are engaged in. Let them go and tell their masters. Let the world know that Pakistan is moving up…up and up. Let the Islamic suicide bombers do whatever they want to do because sooner rather than later they will all be sidelined by the mainstream celebration. Be happy and the world will see you happier.”

The moment of truth for President Musharraf has arrived. The tripod–the PML-Q his civilian façade, a divided opposition and the intelligence apparatus–that sustained his rule is no more. The PML-Q (The King’s Party) was rejected in the election and the opposition is divided no more.

November 3 is when Pakistan cried. Celebrate, that also happens to be the day when Pakistan’s judiciary for the first time in its checkered history stood up to decree the imposition of martial law as illegal. March 9 is when Pakistan cried. Celebrate, that also happens to be the day when the PPP and the PML-N joined hands to end Pakistan’s protracted nightmare.

Yes, our problems are humongous. Challenges gigantic. Inflation has gone through the roof. And, we have seen nothing yet. Wait till diesel goes up by Rs15 a liter. Wait till electricity tariff goes by an additional 25 percent? Wait till a naan sells for Rs 8 each. Who will control the specter of food inflation? Who will fund Rs400 billion fiscal deficit? Who will fund $12 billion current account deficit?

Yes, United States Air Force’s (USAF) Air Operations Center is busy planning. USAF’s Air Expeditionary Wings are preparing for operational missions within our geographical territory. Thunderbolts, Fighting Falcons, Nighthawks and Predators are being readied.

Asif and Nawaz would now have to persuade their respective constituencies that this is our war too. People out there coming in and killing our children in Lahore cannot be ‘our people’. People attacking Pak Navy cannot be ‘our people’. People who killed Benazir Bhutto cannot be ‘our people’. Asif and Nawaz must clear all ambiguities. The bigoted and fanatics wants to turn Pakistan into a 7th century Saudi Barbria and engaged in brainwashing the masses to side and be part of killing cult are even not our people. This is our war too.

Afghanistan is not Iraq. When America invaded Iraq the world opinion was split. On the war in Afghanistan, there is a global consensus that terrorist threats emanating from the Pak-Afghan border have to be eliminated. We have got to help the world feel safe–make it safe–or the world would do it its own way. We are either with the world or against it.

India’s democracy has a 60-year track record of taking care of dynastic politics, severe food shortages, poverty, chronic unemployment, an inefficient bureaucracy, prime ministerial scandals, bribes, tax evasions, embezzlements and an abundance of secessionist as well as faith related violence. Our democracy can too. Finally, can Asif and Nawaz give us an accountable government? Doomsday theorists are doing what they do best; spread rumors of an imminent collapse. I am convinced that a grand reconciliation is afoot. I am convinced that our democrats can beat the odds. Beat the odds only if they stay united, that is. Of the 192 member states of the UN an overwhelming majority solves their problems through democracy. We can too