Guest Post By Irum Sarfaraz

If the current situation in Pakistan is a source of concern for the rest of the world in the sense that it is increasing the already existing instability of the country, chances are it is less so for the 165 million in the country. For Pakistanis the current martial law translates into the instability of the past decade coming to a head. The martial law imposed by Musharaff is nothing new to a country used to living under military dictatorship; what is new is Pakistan’s current status as the most volatile ‘sitting bomb’ on the face of the earth.

According to Newsweek Oct. 29, 2007 cover story, ‘Where the Jihad Lives Now’, ‘Today no country on earth is arguably more dangerous than Pakistan. It has everything bad guys could ask for: political instability, a trusted network of radical Islamists, an abundance of angry young anti-Western recruits, secluded training areas, access to state-of-the-art electronic technology, regular air service to the West and security services that don’t always do what they are supposed to do’. If this wasn’t enough just add a devious, confirmed nuclear program to the explosive concoction and the world has a global concern on its hands that deposes Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran in its ratings for potential disaster.

Adil Najam

The frustration and anger that one finds in the comments on the Emergency imposed by Gen. Musharraf in Pakistan is mirrored everywhere. In every conversation one has with any Pakistani anywhere. I was in Pakistan till last weekend and this pent-up feeling of frustration was evident in every conversation even before the Emergency was imposed.

It is, of course, a complex feeling emanating from the complex dynamics of our complex politics. At its very core, however, is the burning desire to be able to “do something” about what is happening made all the intense by a sense of helplessness about exactly what it is that we as citizens might, in fact, be able to do that might make a difference.

Owais Mughal

Shahid Afridi is now the third most used bowler ever for Pakistan in One Day Internationals. Following is the list of Pak bowlers and the number of bowls they have thrown.
1. Wasim Akram: 18186 balls, 502 wickets, 36.22 strike rate
2. Waqar Younis: 12698 b, 416 w, 30.52 sr
3. Shahid Afridi: 9832 b, 211 w, 46.59 sr
4. Abdul Razzak: 9797 b, 246 w, 39.8 sr
5. Saqlain Mushtaq: 8770 b, 288 w, 30.45 sr
6. Aaqib Javed: 8012 b, 182 w, 44.02 sr
7. Mushtaq Ahmed: 7543 b, 161 w, 46.85 sr
8. Imran Khan: 7461 b, 182 w, 40.99 sr
9. Shoaib Akhtar: 6498 b, 218 w, sr 29.81
10. Azhar Mahmood: 6242 b, 123 w, sr 50.74

The above statistics are valid upto and including 3rd ODI between Pakistan and India played on November 11, 2007.