Naeem's Blog

The great military dic (is that the proper abbreviation for dictator?) otherwise known as Musharraf came to Riyadh and I was lucky enough to be stuck in a massive traffic jam caused by his entourage. The Saudi traffic police often close major highways for high-level delegates – I didn’t even venture out during the two days of the recent OPEC conference.

So this past Wednesday, Musharraf and I crossed paths. As I was sitting near the front of the traffic blockade, I saw the huge entourage pass by me. No words were spoken. Actually I had a few choice words, but methinks he ignored me.

Anyways, he didn’t come to the kingdom for some casual visit to Abdullah’s palace. Nor did he come to perform Umrah. Both of which are being purported by his administration to being the official reasons of his visit.

Popular theory is that he really came to initiate talks with Nawaz Sharif. Yeah, *that* Nawaz Sharif.

Although both sides are denying the possible meeting, isn’t such an event par for the Pakistani course?

Seriously folks, only Pakistani politics could come up with such a sadistic plot. Not even soap opera writers could come up with such a story (Arif, help me out here - was General Hospital ever this crazy?).

- Benazir Bhutto steals billions while in power and is ousted TWICE on charges of corruption.
- Nawaz Sharif is also kicked out of the Prime Minister office TWICE.
- The second time was when Musharraf overthrows Sharif’s government in a coup after Sharif denies his plane a safe landing into Pakistan. Musharraf exiles Sharif.
- After 8 years, Sharif tries to make a great return to Pakistan only to be unceremoniously kicked out again.
- After nearly a decade of exile in Dubai, Bhutto does succeed in making her great return, only to have a bomb blast kill over a hundred at her rally.
- Musharraf and the criminal Bhutto have talks about creating a shared government.
- Musharraf’s hold on power is threatened (due to various reasons) so he does what any military dick would do – declares martial law.
- Bhutto speaks out against Musharraf claiming to have a falling out since his martial law and gets house arrest for one day, while becoming the global face for democracy and order in Pakistan (huh?!).
- Musharraf goes to Sharif who is still exiled in Jeddah, looking for a new partner in crime.
- Finally, Musharraf is pregnant with Bhutto's child while Sharif claims he's the real father.

Tune in for the next episode of 'As The Paki World Turns (upside down)'!

Update (11/23 10pm): Surprise, surprise...Its official, Sharif will be returning to Pakistan to contest in the upcoming elections. The soap opera continues...