Adil Najam
The two videos attached below - one of a student speaking at a student convention presided over by Gen. Pervez Musharraf and the second of an MNA speaking in the National Assembly during the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz - have recently been floating around over email on Pakistani lists.
[Thanks to Eidee Man for alerting us to this new version of the first video which includes Gen. Musharraf's Response to the student's speech. Even if you have seen the student's speech already, the response is worth listening to.]
While the remarks from Muslim League (N) MNA Khawaja Asif is less surprising (especially since it came right after Nawab Akbar Bugti’s death and during a no-confidence motion) the speech from the student (Syed Adnan Kakakhel) is much more of a surprise. Gen. Musharraf listens intently, takes notes, and seems engaged. Indeed, as you can now see from his response (later in the video) the speech certainly got to Gen. Musharraf. He responds at length - including on the military rule and Balochistan issues.
I should also add that this event was organized by the government itself and also note that Adnan Kakakhel was awarded the second prize in the speech contest and also that this was telecast over Pakistan Television.
Whether you are a government opponent (i.e., this shows the depth of people’s frustration with the current order), a cynic (i.e., such talk is tolerated because everyone knows it will make no difference), or a government supporter (i.e., this proves that this government has given people real democracy and freedom of speech), you should celebrate these videos for what they are: a demonstration that political thought is alive and well in Pakistan (irrespective of whether you believe its content to be righteous or misguided).
Coming from the bol ke lab aazad hain tairay school of democracy, to me the space for dissent is itself important to the democratic polity; for that reason alone I beleive that these are important articulations.
Anyone not wearing a uniform and not carrying a weapon is a CIVILIAN
I wouldn’t like to argue you further upon this issue since you have no idea about Israel.
According to your theory, MUsharraf shouldnt be considered an army man since he doesn’t wear uniform much *grin*
@Turab you failed to answer me. How would you react if your wife or sister is offended by outsiders in your home. Would you give them a hug and say ‘Well done guys, I am a civlised and I would appreciate your actions’ or would just attack back on them to take revenge of your loved ones?
One accept it or not. Jinnah and his guys used ISLAM as main tool to get Pakistan. The party name was Pakistan *MUSLIM* league, not Pakistan Democratic Alliance or India freedom Alliance.
Running away from facts is miserable for you only, not for others. So be thankful of *Islam* which provide opportunity to you guys to throw shallow statments on Adil’s website.
Regardless of Kakakhel’s affiliation with any institution or ideology, one needs to appreciate his courageous and well articulated point of view. I believe no member of the parliament had dared to challenge General Musharraf with decency and irony. We should be see what he is saying rather than, who is saying.
Another important indicator was the appreciation of the audiance to Mr. Kakakhel because he was presenting THEIR point of view before the authority.
No doubt Musharraf responded pretty well, but his remarks “this UNIFORM has PROVIDED you this OPPURTUNITY to openly criticize the government” are self explanatory that that the Uniform’s authority allows or disallows anyone ‘to speak or not to speak’.
Ideologically speaking “freedom of expression” is the basic human right. Unfortunately, in our country, this right has been granted or denied by the person in Uniform.
‘HUM DEKHAIN GAY……..’
I think this column by NAzir Naji has some interesting points; http://www.jang-group.com/jang/oct2006-daily/18-10 -2006/col2.htm
PatExpat, in this age Mullahs have got all they want. They can remain both in government and in opposition at the same time, can threat government any time and government reacts favourably to that, call for jihad against America while using American money and choppers for projects in nwfp and finally get deal from government via ISI in elections (quoted by Qazi Hussain Ahmad). Everything is going their way, why should they be agitated?
The rest however are frustrated over various things and that shows.
I dont know how many of us follow the numerous talk shows on Pakistani TV channels. It goes against our stereotypical images, but on these programs always the most cool headed and considerate speakers are the Mullahs of MMA. And the speakers from the liberal parties be it pro-government or anti-government or nationalists are usually arrogant, highly emotional and keep slinging mud at each other.
Hassan, it was never my intention to imply that the Pakistani discussions are not intellectual. I meant that the communication style may not be like the west depending on where one grows up. Comparatively, in these regions its more animated and excited.
Mush-Nazir,
Things are moving in the direction that you have pointed. Now somebody should ask Musharraf what about all those promises that no deal will be made with looters. Why the charges against Benazir in Switzerland are not being pursued. Call me a cynic, but in the end, we all are after the seat “Kursi”.