Adil Najam
I found this full page ad in Dawn very interesting. And also very democratic. Maybe a national conversation does need to be held on who (or what qualities) makes for a good prime Minister?
(click picture to see a larger, more readable, image)
Do you have any ideas? Lets try to do this not on the basis of who can win, but who (or what qualities) should we want as our Prime Minister. At least as an intellectual exercise, and a national conversation, we should be able to get out of Benazir Bhutto v. Nawaz Sharif v. Pervaiz Elahi type of ‘pragmatic’ discussion into a discussion of what we really would like to see in a Prime Minister. Dawn’s set of criteria is a very good place to start.
So, folks, give us your ideas but please please please do not again repeat the same old slogans and naaras about why you don’t like who you don’t like. Lets try to focus this on who you like, and why. And even this is someone who has no real chance of winning, lets at least think about what qualities makes you wish that this person would win.
The ad gives these criteria for the person we should be looking for:
- He should be bold in upholding the law without fear or favor, but his actions must be tempered by the heart.
- He must be learned in teh art of policy making, but not lacking in mobilizing popular support for his policies.
- He must be honest to a fault, but neither dull nor unimaginative as to be able to figure our white-collar crime.
- He must deal with civil servants with firmness and retain an unerring belief in teh rule of law. He must allow a sense of participation around him so the Pakistani electorate is able to guide his thinking. He must shepard a nation of activists - not police a fold of huddled sheep.
One should note that they clarify: “This man or indeed woman could be completely unknown. Or it could be that astute and honest politician who long deserves recognition for integrity, competence, or even an ability to perform a deft Machiavellian maneuver.“
Shaukat Aziz has been a honest worker for Pakistan. At least recognize his work and say few words in his support or simple thank on this board. He truly deserves them.
Agnostic and willing to admit it
Shaukat Aziz
Khadim,
Please read the ad, it is also qouted at the end of the post, it says “man or indeed woman”.
I nominate George Bush (dabya) , since he got us into this mess (in NWFP). Or maybe Bill Clinton, since he seems to get out of trouble, wheter or not he created it. Just Kidding.
Aitzaz Ahsan is too loyal to BB to go for it, but he would be my ideal choice. Jamali was quite good, too honest or had too much integrity, that is why he was replaced by Shaukat Aziz.
Junejo was pretty brave & honest as well.
But the only realistic choice would be Iftikhar Chaudhry.
Not perfect (who is?) but honest, liked by people & electable in a real “free & fair election”, not this farce we are faced with. Plus he has nothing better to do anymore.
I find the ad quite sexist as it has completely ignored/excluded women from being nominated for the position. After all why not a woman?
Mr. Mohammad Sadiq, former Deputy Chief of Mission of the Pakistan Embassy in Washington D.C. Though a member of the foreign service, Mr. Sadiq was highly well-spoken on all issues of politics, social issues and diplomacy. Was organized and innovative, with a sincere belief in the power and importance of Pakistani youth. He implemented many new initiatives relating to lobbying, Pakistani-American political mobilizations and had a balanced appreciation for Arts and Culture. Neither a conservative or liberal, Mr. Sadiq walked a balance path of moderation - making him likable by many.
His modestly and humility during his prestigious post in D.C. showed that he was able to handle the temptations of power and prestige well, and he oft spoke out against corruption.
Here we go again….
Enjoy this ad as a comedy in an ongoing circus and do not get too serious about it. Afterall this is a country of 160 million very competent leaders… Who dares leading the leaders?
One thing is for sure. Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto have proven themselves as the worst prime ministers in the history of Pakistan. We had very high hopes about Imran Khan when he jumped into politics and raised a very loud voice against corruption in the government Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto. But he truned out to be an other stooge of mullahs.