I SPY: Having a Blast, Pakistan Style - Sadaf Zarrar

Recently, some friends who are due to arrive in Pakistan for an upcoming wedding inquired if it was safe to visit. Whereas I don't blame them at all for generating this query courtesy the world media mostly and the on ground situation partially, I did smile after reassuring them it would be fine. Perhaps you'll wonder why I smiled, and that was at the beautiful irony of the situation itself... People worrying about their security; yet here we are gearing to celebrate the Shadi in the true Pakistani style and colours.

This is my Pakistan. For most of you, who live here and a few of you who might be contemplating a visit or just googling Pakistan for the sheer sake of curiosity, I present to you my beloved homeland and its people... Finally, the Taliban has met its match.

I will not get into the politics of how we ended where we are now, perhaps because I firmly believe that this isn't the end to begin with. But I will tell you where we are... We are passing through a very difficult time, there is no denying that. Where we end up from here will greatly be defined as who we are... and let me tell you...

We cry when our people cry and together we laugh heartier than any nation in this world. We are the best of friends and unfortunately for the Taliban, we are also the worst of enemies.

We are a nation as colourful as the Yellow Mustard that grows in our fields, or the Red that a bride adorns, or as Green as our flag that flies, as Blue as each one of the rivers that gushes through our land. We are musical... Tablas, Dhols, Sarangis, Sitars, Bansories... you name it. We are festive, we celebrate our Eids with the same fervor that we celebrate our independence day and even Basant, We are nation that is alive... we cry when our people cry and together we laugh heartier than any nation in this world. We are the best of friends and unfortunately for the Taliban, we are also the worst of enemies. We are nation of brave women, who send their sons to war with their head high, We are a nation of brave men who will gladly give their lives three times over before letting anyone take us over!


All this is probably sounding extremely emotional to you... and it is. But that is who we are. So yes, when I say the Taliban has met its match, I say this because we cannot and will not let them win. Such is the resilience of my country and its people. We have so far survived what not many nations could... and we have come out stronger. Our people are more inspired and involved today than they have ever been.

We have so far survived what not many nations could... and we have come out stronger. Our people are more inspired and involved today than they have ever been.

For every time the cowardly jackasses blow themselves up, our people are more resolved to get rid of them. What the world sees of us today is grey, but take it from me... As soon as the sun rises you will see all the colours of this beautiful nation.

As Jarrar would say: 'Pakistan Hamesha Zindabad'