THE house has been destroyed, but that is apparently not enough. The empty plot that marks where the world’s most wanted terrorist was found living in Pakistan is in the process of formally being declared government property. And just as the demolition of Osama bin Laden’s house in February — which was carried out mainly at night and under tight military watch — smacked of defensiveness and secrecy on the part of the state, so does this latest attempt to control a reminder of one of the most embarrassing incidents in the country’s history. It is also in line with the general paranoia with which security personnel had handled the house when it existed, harassing locals, visitors and journalists who dared approach.
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