EVERYTHING is going smoothly in the country. There’s a Test match to entertain, which makes all else surplus for a lot of people here. A foreign guest has been gracing our environs. He is someone who has demonstrated how to mix, match and mould modernity according to indigenous needs. The feat must, and does, endear him to us millions. We have been trying to perform a similar miracle here for God knows how long. He must be accorded all the respect and ceremony for bringing the practical model home.

What else is there? There is television vying for the attention of the audiences at a time when the Indian channels are shut. There’s heightened tension at the borders which is a cause of concern. Soldiers have lost their lives but they are still not calling it a war. It is as if this is a routine that has to be followed, just like they have these flag-hoisting and flag-lowering ceremonies at Wagah; it is a border routine that must leave you poorer by a few men every now and then.

There are signs of awareness. It is an increasingly vibrant society, just too sensitive to the persecution and victimisation of the vulnerable for the good of a local tough in Sialkot. In this age of information he had no chance after he decided to film the humiliation he had thought was proper punishment for a transgender falling out of line. Now he must prepare to face the serious consequences of his act, unless of course he can bring some pressure to bear on the complainant.

This is not unusual in Pakistan — an accused benefiting from a trick right from Machiavelli’s Prince. The courts provide unending stories of cases where a saviour on horseback has arrived to rescue someone succumbing to the human weakness of wielding power in the most ingenious of ways. Stripping a hapless human being and flogging him is just manifestation of giving in to the tendency.

What all is happening to reconfirm that ours is a normal functioning society?

What else is happening to reconfirm that ours is a normal functioning society? There are few cultural events coming up as the milder weather allows space for public gatherings. Sometimes, we don’t realise how much cultural activity is being generated in our midst. We must not only take notice of this but be thankful to the gods for returning to us a semblance of normality to channel our energies in order to pursue the finer aspects of life.

Yes, yes, before we forget, let us acknowledge all those who have been mindful enough to pay tribute to a departing political worker who represented an age. Jahangir Badar has drawn tributes from all for his long, boisterous presence in Lahore politics. His role has been widely hailed and the references to where he failed have been minimal. That will be a source of relief for all those who may have wanted to avoid controversy at the moment in respect of the departed soul.

And yes, there are signs that the old trickle-down economy is working. The awami-type experts or the people’s economists would be glad to know that pockets continue to be picked at the funerals of the well known, that the shoe-lifters at the mosque are as yet not out of a job.

Bridges are emerging at a rattling pace. Films are hitting the cinemas by the dozen. This indicates the availability of a good number of ‘good-resolution’ cameras in the country. There are some people who appear to be worried about their next American journey but it would be an exaggeration to say that hope does not temper the air of despondency around the dependents’ bench down in the park.

It is life as usual, just too usual and routine and unexciting when you recall that the judges of the apex court in this country are hearing the biggest case of their — and what should be more significant for us, our — lives. There is plenty of noise surrounding the hearings. There is, in fact, a 24-hour transmission from the screen that has men shouting at our face and second-fiddle women nodding their approval innocently in the name of co-hosting. There’s just not enough self-interest.

Pakistan has come a long way since the times when the debate was whether or not corruption was an issue. That was back in the 1990s when the PPP would be at the receiving end of allegations. Back then, a few press galleries by prominent journalists would do it for the change-seekers and the truckloads of ammunition from Asad Kharal would not be needed. That era is long gone.

Over time, the people and the parties and institution that must moderate the proceedings have all appeared to have agreed that, yes, corruption is an issue. It is most definitely an issue in this age of suo motu notices and other activities aimed at ensuring greater accountability and transparency in the running of people’s affairs. It is sad, then, how a surge for putting in place some kind of system and setting a precedent of accountability is, by and large, reduced to a fight between two political parties.

You don’t have to like Imran Khan. You may never find a reason to vote for him. You may hate his politics for a variety of reasons. But you would be ill advised to treat this as only Imran Khan’s or the PTI’s case against the PML-N leadership. You will be equally at fault if you were to treat it as just a case in a court of law. As always political choices will be for the people to make here. The ultimate verdict has to come from the people of Pakistan. They might not for the moment appear to be owning up to it as their case above anyone else’s in large enough numbers. They will come round to deciding it.

The writer is Dawn’s resident editor in Lahore.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2016