Sir: 2009 has been a tumultuous year for Pakistan. We have had countless losses and yet numerous victories. Despite the thousands of lives and billions of rupees that this unholy war has cost us, we have proven ourselves, not just to the world but, more importantly, to ourselves that we can and we must go on. The mere act of living our lives and enjoying small moments defies the fearsome power of all our enemies combined and defeats their very purpose. We will undoubtedly be a stronger, wiser and more united nation in the coming year. That is a promise we have all made in our hearts, a tacit pact, without a call to answer or a banner to flock under. We owe this to all those who will not accompany us to the new year and to all those who will join us then. But most of all, we owe this to ourselves. For all our blood and all our tears, our spirits can never be crushed.May 2010 be the year that we have yearned for as much as our enemies have dreaded it. Pakistan Zindabaad.AMMAR HAIDER SHAHVia email