Lazy Sunday in Islamabad

Lazy Sunday in Islamabad

There are occasions in Islamabad when you think to yourself, wow this is a gorgeous city.

It takes a certain kind of eyes to see - eyes that have time to look past the grey concrete blocks, the security checkpoints and the towering blast walls. Normally, in the fog of 24 hour news, one rarely gets the chance to stop and smell the roses as it were. I got a chance to do that today.
 
After the fierce fighting in Kotkai and the army announcing that it had taken the town, there has not been much to report, so I took a walk in my neighbourhood. On one side of the city the Margalla hills provide a comforting, protective barrier, the crows noisily battle with the other birds. The weather is perfect.
 
Islamabad really is a nice city. But one thing strikes me. It is quiet. Awkwardly quiet. Normally on the roads, children would be playing street cricket, others would be taking a walk enjoying a little down time. Not here. Not today.
 
The Taliban's attacks have the left this city deserted. People don't want to meet in coffee shops, no one wants to be outside when the next attack happens.
 
I spoke to my friend in Washington, she lived a year in Islamabad and mourns what Pakistan has become. "It's saddens me to think that a small minority of people are holding the whole country to ransom, it just breaks my heart".
 
It breaks mine. This was always a sleepy city, in fact that was part of it's charm, but at least people were out doing things. Horse riding, shooting wild noar up in the hills, talking over ice cream, sharing a joke and fruit juice in the markets.
 
Not so much now, as it turns out. Many here have restricted their movements, only going to houses of people they know, not spending any time on the streets.
 
The city has been affected. I try and not let it bother me but it does.
No doubt there will be news to report in a few hours and I will be back at work, But for this morning I try and block out war and just enjoy this city for what it is.