Pakistan will move forward in joining the world in its global-village, unisex trends. That is my prediction for 2009.

With Barack Obama taking oath as president of the United States, many hitherto held prejudices and theories will be put to rest.  As opposed to this rapidly changing world, the playing field in Pakistan is going to be more leveled. I wish I could also predict peace in 2009, but that to a lay person like me is unlikely to happen. On the lighter side, though, here are some of the changes that I foresee.

The international image of Pakistan today is one of a vicious, bearded masculine face. This shall be no more so. Change has been brought about by two pretty young ladies Natasha Paracha who was crowned Miss Pakistan World 2008, and Nosheen Idrees, who became Miss Earth 2008. They did what indecently clad, oily, muscle-bulging male bodybuilders have been doing forever.

We`ve had a Mr Pakistan for decades. Natasha becomes the first Miss Pakistan World. If men can compete in the skimpiest of briefs, why can`t girls? I see Miss Karachi, Miss Lahore, Miss Rural, Miss Foreign-returned Pakistan, Mrs Trophy wife (so much in demand for the Papoo sons), etc. The list is only limited to one`s imagination.

I see equality in dress in the coming year. America achieved it decades ago with their blue jeans. Here, the leg-covering-garment stopping just above the ankles has thus far been the domain of men. With capris getting increasingly daring, women will also be baring their ankles more. In another interesting switchover, we now see more pictures of men (aka the Taliban) with their faces covered and only eyes showing. In this they have joined those women who have adopted the full facial hijab. The year 2009 will no doubt work towards this unisex dress code, incorporating it as an integral part of fashion.

There is pressure on us by donors to tax agriculture. 2009 will start the trend, and in the next elections, hopefully, Pakistani bottles will carry new wine (metaphorically speaking of course). Certainly, agriculture tax will not come easy. There will be clever evasive techniques like there were to thwart Ayub Khan`s land reforms.

This time, however, powerful donors will see to it that the feudal lords become more like you and me in terms of paying taxes. It will no longer be possible to show dubious incomes as coming from the `land`. The feudalist-parliamentarians, who were never answerable to their electorate, will now be answerable to the tax wallah. Warning don`t expect miracles in the coming year though.

True accountability will take time; we can only rejoice that the process will be started in 2009 should agriculture finally be taxed.

On the economic front again, there is a proposal that the government might make diesel more expensive than petrol. This move, should it happen, will put the obese SUVs out and place the modest Altos and other suchlike vehicles in. This will further level the playing field. Not only will this mean that SUV owners cannot flaunt their vehicles and get away with law-breaking on the roads, it will mean more parking space available - a relief for the vast majority of drivers.
The recent surge in food prices will not abate, I think. While this will sadly put the food-insecure groups at a greater risk, I hope in 2009 this trend will stop the absurd feasts that the affluent are given to serving. Eating out is already an unaffordable luxury for many. To compensate, more and more television channels will be given over to food. Our chefs and master chefs will demonstrate exotic dishes which many housewives will try to reproduce in their kitchens. Directly connected to this, though, I see a rise in obesity and associated medical problems as most `dishes` are either deep-fried or laced with cream and ketchup. Healthy food and cooking will remain a distant dream in Pakistan.

The ISI`s political cell has been closed. This will have far-reaching consequences as far as the politicians are concerned. They will no longer have to be constantly looking over their shoulders at the fire-breathing dragon and its devious strategies. No longer will their phones be bugged, and no longer will white shalwar kameez clad agents shadow them. With the ISI not in the picture, the king and his knights will have more opportunity to trot the globe, displaying their foot-in-the-mouth tendencies.

The media, and `youtube`, which made its mark with one colourful evening of the previous regime, will keep us informed about the merry-making or gaffes of our elected representatives.

In 2009, I hope that the army will remain content protecting our territory, building roads, transporting goods, managing their farmlands, building more and more colonies for themselves to be passed on to the rich, and indulging in other nation-building activities that they have taken on themselves to perform.

With the new chief, there seem to be no indications that they are eying top political slot. In any case, the armed forces have proved that while they are good at nearly everything, they have not yet mastered politics.
Khaki will not be the colour the head of our government will wear in 2009.

Apart from the above, life will go on as before. The change of just one digit is not likely to end the increasingly numerous problems being faced by our masses. I seriously doubt if they will be given any relief. And, drawing-room activists like me will carry on being sardonic. Welcome 2009!