A last-vote six

The revolution was indeed televised. It is true that in my case the television was my computer, which when properly buffered presented me with a small real-time video stream from Pakistan8217;s Geo news network. It is also true that the label 8220;revolutionary8221; is an odd one to apply to the victory in an election of two well-established political parties that both have a history of winning elections. But sitting in my flat on Monday night, I felt the sort of irresponsible euphoria that I imagine Berliners felt when the wall came down.

The comparison may be inapt. For all I know, the average Berliner felt nothing more than a stoic 8220;there goes the neighbourhood8221; as East and West Germany became one. And Pakistan has not changed overnight. It is still the same place of dirt-poor farmers, Kalashnikov-carrying militants, sharp-tongued schoolgirls, motorcycle-riding bank clerks, dashingly inconsistent fast-bowlers, and ambitious gay fashion designers that it was last week. But suddenly, there is optimism in the air. And for a place often 8212; and unfairly 8212; described by the international media as the most dangerous in the world, that is revolutionary.

Everyone I know expected widespread rigging8230; Instead, Pakistan managed a relatively free and fair election that delivered a crushing defeat to the ruling party of Pakistan8217;s unpopular President Musharraf8230; The winners were moderate, centrist politicians 8212; suggesting perhaps that Pakistanis, notwithstanding acres of newsprint to the contrary, are at heart a moderate centrist bunch.

What a relief. No, more than a relief. For me, it brought back memories of Javed Miandad8217;s winning six off Chetan Sharma8217;s last ball in that glorious 1986 Pakistan-India one-day match. Yes, I felt proud to be a Pakistani. Even more significant, I felt happy to be a Pakistani. Pakistan: home to a sensible people capable of conducting an effective election under the gaze of a fiercely independent media8230; From time to time I need a sign, a reason to keep the faith. On February 18, I got one. Or rather, I got 36 m, for that is the number of Pakistanis who are said to have voted.

From Mohsin Hamid8217;s 8216;The Pakistan election has given me hope that one day the country can once again become my home8217; , The Guardian, February 22