‘Ezeudo,’ he called in his guttural voice. ‘If you had been a coward, I would have asked you to bring courage when you come again. But you were a fearless warrior. If your death was the death of nature, go in peace. But if a man caused it, do not allow him a moment’s rest.’ ‘Things Fall Apart,’ by Chinua Achebe.

There is much in common between the dark Africa of which the late Chinua Achebe wrote and our present day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to merit this grave quotation. Since we seem to be waiting for an opportunity to barter away the lives of thousands of our men, women and children for the elusive peace, it looks all the more appropriate to invoke the spirits of those fallen to settle their scores with their heartless killers by not letting them have a moment of peace.

One is not sure whether to call it the resilience of the people of the old Frontier or their impassive apathy, but life in Peshawar is going on apace though circumspectly under the ever-present unclean shadows of the suicide bombers. More than three million people inhabiting Peshawar cannot concede their existence to the caprices of their tormentors and hence glimpses of resistance together with fun and frolic in whatever measure could be seen taking place here and there. The men and women behind such initiatives and moves are doing a wonderful service, giving hope to the polity at large in these trying times.

Mahjabina and Nazie, the resolute wife and sister of Safwat Ghayur Shaheed, have jointly compiled and produced a book titled ‘Shine For Ever’ to the memory of the quintessential police officer. The third death anniversary of one of the most fearless police officers known to the world is approaching fast, and the two ladies couldn’t have given a better gift to the nation on this occasion. As Ejaz Rahim would say to Safwat:

Can we ask a favour For old time’s sake Come to us sometimes Even if in our dreams

Such visits are indeed much desired these days to reawaken fear in the militants’ rank as they appear to be regaining lost grounds and causing restlessness among their unarmed targets.

One literally pounces at good news these days, and what else to feel most excited about then the four years extension in service to Ajmal Khan, one of our most wonderful teachers and the vice chancellor of Islamia College University Peshawar. It is now nearly three years since the ruddy complexioned Khan was kidnapped in broad daylight from near his residence in the Professors Colony in the Peshawar University. His guard was only recently released; but Ajmal Khan’s and that of his family’s ordeal continues.

Ajmal Khan’s sole crime was his lineage to the great Red Shirt leader Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. Before joining Islamia College, he served briefly in Edwardes College Peshawar where one remembers him teaching Economics. With books tucked under his armpit, he used to come out of class wearing a broad smile and walking in big strides as if he had just been declared winner in a competition. One wonders if any pecuniary benefits can make up for his time lost in the captivity, Musing variously in the old Frontier but the gesture made by the authorities concerned does sound as if education is still being valued in this country.

It is rare hearing praise being showered on ANP these days; the incumbency factor and the party’s dismal performance are to blame. But it was quite pleasing to the eyes and mind to see one of these days ANP winning the accolades from a former soldier in the letters’ column in Dawn. ‘Hats off to ANP for challenging the reign of terror,’ the letter by a retired wing commander read. With ANP’s exit from the scene, one fears even the symbolic presence of secularism from this land will disappear once and for all. Bacha Khan, the ANP’s founding father and a practicing Muslim, spent the better part of his long life in prison only to keep the tattered flag of secularism fluttering over this land.

Where did ANP acquire this capacity to make itself so vastly unpopular despite the fact that it was seen by all and sundry waging a relentless solo war against terror and losing both its leaders and workers in the process? ANP was indeed in bad hands these last few years; it was the spirit of Bacha Khan alone that kept the terrorists from holding a complete sway over his beloved old Frontier. ANP had many competent legislators in the House to deliver in a variety of fields, but it preferred to bank on the turncoats and fair-weather friends despite having a numerical strength and those very people quit the party no sooner than the final whistle had been blown literally equating the party to a plague with the potential of turning the voters away in their areas of influence.

One wonders if ANP would make amends for its follies though it appears to have taken one very small step by fielding Rehmat Shah Sail, a famous poet of revolutionary hues with a humble background. One would have wished to see Tamrez Khan of Shah Masoor in the fray, but here again ANP preferred expediency over loyalty. One also wishes a noted Pashto singer Fayyaz Kheshgi to do well in the elections from Nowshera where he is contesting on the ticket of Sherpao’s party. Fayyaz has the capacity to captivate his audience with his art of singing in a most profound manner.

‘Nearly six hundred of my constituents belong to my own profession. I was greatly touched when they told me that they want nothing more than the right of burial in the cemetery meant for ordinary Muslims,’ Fayyaz recently said during a pause in a singing session in the serene gardens of Shahbazgarhi in Mardan. It was while travelling to Shahbazgarhi this last Saturday when one observed a peasant sitting under a canopy in a newly harvested vast field with a tri-coloured PPP flag fluttering atop it in the steady breeze. It was quite reassuring to see people in the country side taking keen interest in the democratic process, and holding on to their loyalties.

One recently read an article titled ‘The hidden economy’ by Khurram Husain in Dawn wherein the writer analyzed that the amount of money passing annually through the State Bank of Peshawar and Quetta rivaled those of Faisalabad, Multan and Rawalpindi. In the absence of any visible industry or trade related activity, the writer wondered about the source of the money.

Well, on a lighter note, the writer forgot to take into account the quantity of mutton that people on this side of Indus consume. Come hail or sunshine, people in Peshawar do not compromise on their intake of mutton cooked in various forms especially barbecued and deep fried in sheep fats and the proof thereof could be found at one of the many outlets run by a man who loves, nay fights, to be called only by his surname ‘Charsi’ (Mr. Cannabis). Judging from the evening rush at his University Road shop one could make a fair guess about the culinary tastes of the Peshawarites and the money he is raking in.

But while mutton is thus being consumed in such unrestrained manner, Peshawar has also in the recent days seen the arrival of many food chains to cater to the more fashionable clientele. One can now go to quite a number of places savouring best stakes on offer and gulping them down with pina colada followed by frozen yogurts and branded coffees. Life goes on; militants must be shown in no uncertain way.