The Vicious Cycle

Recap
Shamzai was shot dead in Karachi on Sunday morning. Protestations had started a few hours after the murder by men who in their rage burnt and destroyed whatever came in their path. Banks, restaurants, police station, cars, signals; they didn’t even spare the Quaid’s academy.

…Monday-May 31st, 2004…
9:05 am
The last day of May. It’s always a relief when the month ends. There’s a new month to look forward to and of course, a new paycheck as well.

Everything was calm on the way to the office. People seemed quite undisturbed. There wasn’t any sign of destruction in Defense. But the traffic was a little more than usual. Late again!

There wasn’t anything on Sunday’s incident on the radio. (Who wants their radio stations to be ransacked and burnt by bearded fundamentalists?) Every channel was broadcasting meaningless crap-horoscopes, weather reports, currency rates-but nothing on Shamzai. Live and let die, I guess.

Office was busy. The article was bugging me. It was an angry outpour and no matter how much sense I tried to bring in it, it became all the more confused. Nonetheless, it was the only way to vent out the frustration inside. I let it be.

3:30 pm
The vicious cycle. It seemed a managerial phrase. It did make perfect sense in this situation. The Sindh Madrassah blast, PACC blast, and now, the murder…the phone rang.

5:00 pm
Sunday’s incident wasn’t even discussed in the office. Wasn’t even worth discussing for that matter. Who’s interested in the death of a 70 year old scholar who supported Taliban? Taliban?! The vicious cycle seems to make more sense now…a friend called. Dinner at Nando’s tonight, it’s a birthday treat. Goody!

6:00 pm
The vicious cycle. It was quite irritating on the way back from office especially when I managed to cross the Schon circle roundabout on the third attempt. Karachi’s alive and breathing. At least Sunday’s incident didn’t kill the spirit of life here. It seems too peaceful though…

7:45 pm
Lovely night. Full moon.
The vicious cycle…damn! Why can’t I think of poetry right now?!!

8:30 pm
A bomb blast. 25 people dead. Imambargah Ali Raza. A place 1 km away from Shamzai’s murder. Bomb exploded when people had congregated for maghrib prayers. Loud bang heard miles away. It’s not Shia-Sunni violence. Third part involvement. All should remain calm. The president will soon make a decision about the fate of Karachi. More deaths being reported. Burnt and charred bodies in hospital…

One old man killed on Sunday. 25 men, old and young, died on Monday night. Many injured. It’s not sectarian? Bull shit!

…the phone rings. Hey, where are you? We were all to meet in Nando’s at 8:30? Or have you forgotten?!!

The vicious cycle…