Just came back from a two-week Pakistan trip where I was in Lahore for 10 days and for days in Islamabad.
What I have found different from last year is:
1) More beggars in Lahore and Pindi.
2) More load shedding in Lahore.
3) CNG shortage causing 45-90min queues outside CNG stations both in Lhr and Isb.
4) Murree/New Murree becoming a place to get ripped off or mugged. A beggar-girl demanded 100 rupees but I gave her 50 because i didnt have enough change. She started cursing me with the worst of abuses. She was barely 11 yrs old. Another boy abused me because I didnt boy flowers from him.
5) Lal Masjid area completely controlled by extremists. Its full of flyers, posters and banners everywhere which are full of anti-everything-that-they-dont-find-Islamic messages.
6) Islamabad traffic going bad because of too many security checkpoints.
7) You can see the MSF/MSA and similar student associations coming back and doing dada-giri around campuses.
8) Hardees!
9) Lahore linkroad taking shape.
10) Islamabadi girls going anorexic!
11) People finally wondering if Geo News actually is a new channel or a propoganda machine.
12) Younger Pakistanis losing interest in cricket (due to our consistant failures and indiscipline) and switching to EPL. ManU, Liverpool and Chelsea are among the favorite teams.
13) Pakistanis Telecom industry still booming.
14) Unemployment rising.
15) The entire country seems united in the hate and despise against Zardari. Zardari jokes getting better in quality.
16) A 100 rupee note now seems like a 50 rupee note.
17) Bahria cinema!
