Credits for photos belong to Pervaiz Munir Alvi saheb. He took the photos on his recent trip to Pakistan and graciously shared them with me. The location is the Grand Trunk (now called highway N5) in Punjab.
While we have discussed Declaration of Emergency, Chronology of a Meltdown, mis-treatment of Imran Khan in recent past, one topic that got missed is what’s Benazir Bhutto up to these days? We would like to hear from our readers. Today, on my drive back from office, I was listening to Imran Khan’s interview on National Public Radio (NPR). On a question of joining forces with Benazir, Imran Khan replied:
“We would love to join Benazir, except we don’t know whose side she is on today….There is a big mistrust of each other among opposition parties these days”.
I agree. What do you think? Above photos are in no way ATP’s endorsement to Benazir. They simply reflect a glimpse of our society. In addition to that, I personally enjoyed reading the slogan: “faisla zameer da….”
Meengla:
I am no supporter of BB or ZAB for that matter, but I fully agree with you that we have made it a habit to malign BB. I, like you, would respect any decision given by the people in a fair and free election, even if its Musharraf, whom I hate the most.
@A.R.Shahid,
Although I wouldn’t go to the extent of ’shudra’ vs ‘Brahimin’ kind of divide, there is definitely a kind of elitism which is more than willing to disregard who ‘the people’ may choose to be their leader. I think there are some common arguments against PPP/BB which form the core of ‘anti-Bhutto’ vote in various forms.
1) The only way BB can be accused of being a ‘dictator’ is her ‘lifetime’ chair of PPP. But look at other parties: ANP, MQM, PML-N, JUI-F, and yes, PTI: All of them revolve around inherited leadership or exclusively strong central personality. Jamaat i Islami is the only one different (though I am far from a Jamaati!).
2) BB is again and again pinpointed for her alleged $1.5 billion loot. Well, that’s a LOT of money! And to have that kind of money overseas and still come back to Pakistan and face a near-death experience makes BB an utter fool. I mean she can easily retire anywhere in this world and have a great life. So what brought her back? Many would say (including General Zia’s son in Musharraf former cabinet recently): To loot more. Wow!! No sir. I am not convinced of that or of anything charitable to her either. I am going to give perspective to events and make judgements in the light of new knowledge–and not be beholden to ossified views of events.
3) ZAB $issed off a lot of powerful people domestically–and was the last Pakistani leader almost completely independent of American influence. It may be a different matter that ZAB was not ’sincere’ in his message but he did stir up the ‘jahil’ masses who still swear by him. Since 1977 his and his dauther are facing an establishment which has the support of the 63% of Pakistanis (ZAB/PPP never got more than 37% of popular vote) but these 63% cannot agree on anything except antagonism to ZAB/PPP/BB.
4) BB has publicly accused ‘CIA’ of involvement in killing ZAB. That she did not/does not blame the Americans govt. directly is because, since our Mard e Momin’s days, no Pakistani politician can survive without American support. A sad reality indeed.
There is a lot that can be said for or against BB. But I put my trust and faith in the people of Pakistan to elect whosoever they elect and I will respect the people’s choice. But, for that happen, we need fairness of elections which we have been denied since 1970. Is it too much to ask to let people decide who should rule them? No, it is not!
meengla says:
“2) BB does not need American support to be the next PM. All PPP wants is free and fair elections. It is a kind of Fascism to deny her power if the people of Pakistan elect her.”
You have identified the actual problem. Pakistan is a stratified society with the few “Brahmins” amongst us, which include “Overseas Pakistanis”, the faujis, the rich, the upper middle class people and the educated lot. In their eyes everyone else is “shudra”, the untouchable, who are born to serve them. They don’t think that they have the right to speak or vote, and thus would keep telling us that whomsoever they vote for are not worth leading Pakistan. What a pathetic lot they are.
@ViqarMinai,
1) In today’s world, does it make any difference to ‘make statements’ in different settings. While BB’s statements are certainly not ‘politically correct’ I do think that they are inconsequential because she (or any other civilian leader) is not going to have enough powers to implement security/foreign policy related matters. By the way, NS, too (in England, IMHO) recently came out and assured Washington of his utility to wage an effective war in the Tribal Area. I guess, unless you are one of those pathological anti-Bhutto, you may have a few words for him too?
2) BB does not need American support to be the next PM. All PPP wants is free and fair elections. It is a kind of Fascism to deny her power if the people of Pakistan elect her.
3) BB’s rule was certainly tainted by charges of corruption but ‘dictatorship’ is a label usually not applied to her. Unlike NS, BB did not pick fights with COAS, CJP, AND the President of Pakistan. So choose your words carefully!
4) Why do you anti-Bhutto people are so hung up on giving more weight to the inconsequential statements of BB then to the actual deeds of many other rulers since 1977. Sorry, unless you are going to be more fair and hold everyone else accountable your opinions cannot escape the label of being prejudiced.
Viqar Minai:
Under present circumstances I don’t think that decisions can be taken by the Assembly, which has no spine in it. We can’t just wish away the influence of US, UK, KSA and others in the internal affairs of the country. I think we have to work given the circumstances and realities on grounds rather than based on idealism.
Mush apologists have gone berserk:)
@Meengla, Ar. Shahid:
Regardless of how BB and her supporters feel, certain issues are national issues; as such they must be discussed and debated in the national assembly of Pakistan. BB, or anyone else, does not have the right to spout their unsolicited opinions on these matters, especially in the power corridors of Washington.
The people of Pakistan have the right to determine the “national interest” of Pakistan. They don’t need to get rid of one dictator to be saddled with another, particularly when she is good for little else other than making cheap statements.
http://tinyurl.com/3y6tge
@Aqil
I heard on Dawn News last night that Mr. Aziz has been awarded a party ticket from Kashmore in Sindh. If that report is correct, and he has decided not to contest polls, then it is quite possible that it is his personal decision.
BTW, what is the source of your information that he has decided not to contest polls?
@RE
There are separate threads available on this blog for you to comment on GEO and to sing praises for General Pakistan. There is no need to hijack every thread on this blog to spam your one-point agenda.