IF you have, say, even coincidently watched the thriller Beckett, you are all clear to claim having a clear image of what represents the overall political scenario in Pakistan today. ‘Beckett’, the lead character played by John David Washington, keeps running during the entire length of the movie. His piston-like legs keep saving him from bullets, conspiracies and uncertain conditions when he lands in Greece, which has been shown to be falling at the time, infested with worst protests and chaos.

Now just scratch out ‘Beckett’ from the plot, and place a Pakistani, and one needs not consume hours to rewrite the plot to make a movie on Pakistan.

As for the people of Pakistan, they can further fit rather well into Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot. Just like Vladimir, Estragon or Hamm who always have hope as they desperately wait for Godot to come and lend them a helping hand, the people of Pakistan are waiting for a Godot of their own.

Mansoor Ahmed
Ghotki

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2023