The story was very weak and predictable for a Pakistani reader like me. The modern terrorist is a Frankenstein created by the Intelligence agencies ofThe story was very weak and predictable for a Pakistani reader like me. The modern terrorist is a Frankenstein created by the Intelligence agencies of US, Britain, France and of-course ISI, Pakistan's notorious spy establishment. What is hard to digest is why US would still be interested in arming Islamic terrorist organisations with its own army around the corner? I also got bogged down with the detailed depictions of protocol and routine whenever the protagonist ventured anywhere near ISI. On the flip side the extensive detail does manage to portray the Pakistan Army's culture which is pretty close the real in my opinion.
The interesting bits for me were the author's insight into Pathan culture and it's view of the Punjabi one. And while the details of lives inside the ISI are aplenty, there are scant details of civilians in the book. Why for example had Badshah Khan for instance managed to convince the Pathans to take up non-violence by replacing their much vaunted guns with sticks? What makes the Pathans so vulnerable to ideology? At various stages in their own history the Pathans have taken to different ideologies like Buddhism and Islam? ...more
Its a fantastic little story which I listened to instead of reading it. The author has the capability of presenting normal details as extraordinary soIts a fantastic little story which I listened to instead of reading it. The author has the capability of presenting normal details as extraordinary somehow which is a great skill. The result is a captivating and engaging tale of a sceptic professor's first ever ghost experience. I wont spoil with too much details but this is a must read....more