The Neighbor's Secret

I think most of the people will differ with my choice of novel to kick-start my blog . Its just that as I was taken on a world tour by Fatima Bhutto , through her novel 'Songs of Blood and Sword ' , it struck me that how little the common people of our country know about the real deal in Pakistan . The book certainly brings out some skeletons out of the closet but at the same time it also serves as an eye opener for common people , of both the countries . The political circles of India are well aware of the involvement of Pakistani Army in the government of our troubled neighbor but the depth to which this interference is prevalent is appalling . The way she brings out the suffering , both of her family as well as of the staunch supporters of Bhutto family , and not to forget of the common people , is really sorrowful . The unrelenting tortures imposed by the Rangers and the free hand given to them , makes me wonder that why are we forced to call Pakistan a CONSTITUTIONAL STATE ? 

As the writer quotes " And I know I could never leave " , its really a commendable effort from her to fight her own emotions and the government to get all of her family secrets in a single book . Some grave accusations are made in the book but the letters from Zulfikar to his sons and those from Fatima's father Mir Murtaza , are really touching . These letters also show that these leaders knew how to rule but never got a shot at throne , all they got was a bullet in their heart . The history of Bhutto's in one of their own words is so captivating that one is forced to think how can four generation of a single family be targeted continuously with such vigor and that too by a country being ruled by so called 'CONSTITUTIONAL HEADS'  ????  

The only thought lingering in my head after taking this tumultuous journey was that how come Pakistan is still favored by USA , China ???? Why the man who was acquitted of murder is ruling Pakistan ?? Are the people of Pakistan so scared of the government ?? There are n number of questions and the answers to some of them are obvious . But , as Fatima Bhutto says ' This is my journey of remembering ' , it is one hell of a journey .