There has been much speculation about the future of democracy in Pakistan these days. Prophets of gloom are seeing generals at the ready. Optimists are hoping for a reconciliation. Reality lies between the two extremes.

Because of years of inaction and putting the interests of politicians over the people they were elected to serve, Pakistan's weak child of a democracy could succumb to the common cold. And the public will pay again.

Pakistanis hate these presidential antics. They do not want military rule either.

Though this latest episode in Pakistan's political history is unfolding in deeply troubling ways, there are reasons to hold out hope.

The key lesson of the Memogate controversy is the readiness of the Pakistani political class to exploit the civil-military imbalance for tactical advantage.

Ironically, the fallout from the present controversy actually shows signs that hopes for a democratic Pakistan are coming true.