Departing Springs of Lahore! (Progress, Politics and Passions)

Not that this city would turn mundane in other days of the calendar but the springs in Lahore are real delightful and special times of the year. This departing season was also extraordinary in many ways. As the sun now decides to gradually lift mercury level what will go in annals of history about the recent past times would be the unprecedented infrastructural transformations in the town including new crimson buses moving every now and then on a smooth dedicated track in the heart of the metropolis; loudest of noise in each street and brawls in every cafe about the upcoming electoral battle between the icons of new politics and seasoned political stalwarts; and lastly, most importantly, an incomplete story of an impatient boy and not so little girl.

So lets take it piece by piece:

While some challenge wisdom behind spending billions in mega cities on public sector projects like roads, underpasses, bridges and transportation, many urban planners would readily argue in a straightforward way that by making big cities bigger through development and better facilities, enabling conditions are created for commerce and growth of private sector economic activity, which then generate more jobs for the people and that subsequently carry dividends of progress to rural and far flung areas. Those who do not agree to this development model would emphasis that the opportunity cost of burgeoning demographic difficulties and mass level internal migrations have to be put into equation as well. An overzealous follower of a bat then might jump in and wail that the traditional rulers of the province should have prioritized the agonizing energy crisis – with or without federal support or fiscal guarantees. Likewise, an outsider hailing from towns beyond the lower banks of Chenab River may argue that even though this is a big city deserving prosperity but it shouldn’t have taken bigger slice from the financial pie of entire province. Therefore it would make every sense to further balkanize this land of five rivers.

In the middle of this entire pseudo and really intellectual discourse, millions continue to commute to and fro on the latest locomotives that are crawling up and down the long bridge. It is visible that the new ride has its benefits. But at the same time the unending power cuts continue to stall lives of these 10 million odd urban dwellers. Such remains the paradox here. What cannot be argued however is that the tonnes of fresh concrete and millions of flowers of all colors and sizes turned Lahore into a majestic place and significantly improved its complexion during this departing season. What is being argued instead is that whether those who revamped this city should be brought into power again or not? 

This brings us to the next matter at hand. A man who originally famed through cricket is now all set to test his final luck on political turf against vintage leaders who have rather placed conspicuous marks of their rule on almost every patch in the province. The cricketer leader has one edge against all others. He is the untried new man. Even if one doesn’t take into account his frequent recklessness and summersaults on series of political issues, his followers are adamant that he is answer to their prayers for deliverance.

But then not so easily! The professional players of politics are not known to relinquish their political garrison in a straightforward way. Against loud and opprobrious rants of the cricketer, his prime opponent has largely remained composed and unnerving in replies. The age can turn many into a sage. Every day, in almost a serene way, Nawaz assures massive rallies that the next term belongs to his party who was deprived to complete tenure by the wicked junta in the twilight of last century.

The plains of Punjab are visibly going to present political bedlam even if the erstwhile political party conveniently captures majority of electorates. The city of Lahore is palpably going to be at the forefront and may eventually decide who ascends to the throne in Islamabad. These springs have all set the stage for future of our republic. By most independent assessments, PML-N stands a better chance. Nonetheless, in this countdown to polls many other political parties have also placed their bet on Khan’s political fortunes to somehow get their residual place in power corridor. The Machiavellian politics is the only realism.   

And now something about the boy and a girl who fell in love with each other - as always boy more than the girl but truly they both loved. Each of their short and long rendezvous made their bond almost unbreakable. All boulevards, landmarks and trees of Lahore became staunch witness to the longest of times they spent together and series of extraordinary moments they created. The boy resolved sincerity and had absolute clarity in motive to make the girl his soul mate. But he totally messed up with means and became impatient and overzealous. The girl insisted on Jane Austin’s mannerisms and particular methodologies but completely discarded noble motive in her erratic confusions. The over alacrity of that boy collided with the otherwise rigid walls surrounding the lady that were raised in time from her past bitter experiences. Few mistakes here and there and in split of a moment, unending affection was allowed to turn into an unfortunate ill will. The good times turned into bad times. The girl wished not to remember her promised words and so many vows of the past. The boy continues to atone in so many ways.   

The summers have now arrived. The scorching heat may wear away the color of new red buses. The load shedding is expected to further deteriorate. The flowers everywhere will wither away. The fiery political debates would intensify.  Lahoris would expect that proper, peaceful and fair elections might settle this dust once and for all. The political worth of Khan would remain talk of the town in days ahead. For the boy tough times have commenced. The hope for him is to persevere with patience and somehow expect that the warmth in a girl would return and this blazing sun will melt her heart soon.         

The springs are no more in Lahore.