Britain, of course, has had the pleasure of Tariq's lively contribution to our debates over the last five decades. His first books from Pakistan were banned there by the absurd military dictators who took over because of the failure of corrupt politicians to introduce any effective reform.

Now Tariq's books can be read anywhere in Pakistan. I hope this one is. Its blueprint for a South Asian union of nations is inspired by the European Union itself. Much as Britain's and Europe's ultra-Left join the Tories and the extreme Right and neo-protectionist Labourites in deriding the construction of Europe, the fact is that the EU model of breaking down frontiers and building up liberal market democracy has worked to overcome the nationalism that is hindering similar developments in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Perhaps in his final years in the public eye, Tariq Ali can be named by the European Commission as a special representative to go and preach European values to Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. His verbal and journalist fireworks have made him famous. Can he spend his last active years working to help Pakistan to a better 21st century? Or is the pleasure of polemic and the delight of denunciation of the US and the West where Pakistanis like himself live incomparably freer lives than they can chez eux to be his only memorial.