The form of democracy is important. But procedures must begin to translate into substance. As things stand, “electoralism” expressed through existing political structures may not promise change. This is why it is important to not only look at the nature of political parties but also linkages among various players. Such an inquiry, of necessity, must go beyond the rather simplistic shibboleth of civil-military imbalance to a deeper problem — one where the political actors may be as much responsible for the current status quo as the military.

November 3 is a good day to look into some of these puzzles, especially if Pakistan wants to get out of its crests and troughs.

Incidentally, the Taliban story is once again the Patiala peg of the media. I shall drink to that!

The writer is op-ed editor, The Daily Times, and consulting editor, The Friday Times, Lahore; views expressed here are his own express@expressindia.com