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.
Yahya, two wrongs? I am curious. What is wrong with the student? Is it that he is a Mullah or is he outspoken? Would you have preferred more touchy-feely feel-good questions as posed to Mush on Daily Show.
I like the title “Democracy in Action”; ironic when you consider that the president is wearing an army uniform.
[quote comment=”4468″]About the video, i give full marks to both parties, to student for being so outspoken and to Mush to give chance the students to discuss so freely.
May both parties bring harmony in our country-ameen[/quote]
You mean too wrongs will make a right? Doubt that.
About the video, i give full marks to both parties, to student for being so outspoken and to Mush to give chance the students to discuss so freely.
May both parties bring harmony in our country-ameen
Turan you appear no different those *mullahs* anyway. The only difference would be that u wear jeans and shirt and clean shave and they wud have beared, turban and shalwar Kameez
Who cares you care something or not. I am sure you are not so credible to be noticed seriously for different issues of country etc.
You guys dont look good to give lesson of tolerence to mullahs while you are one of them. Pakistan was damaged more by non-Mullahs than religious people.
Preach your religion of ignorance to people who are compatibe of your mentality.
^Turab
the binnori guys made peace with shias due to the efforts of Dr. kalb-e-sadiq from india in the late 90s. After some years of peace their main guys were killed in a spate of attacks. I wonder how they treat the juloos now, but I remember it had come to a point where they had actually started greeting the mourners outside their center, instead of pelting stones.
You can write to Dr. Kalb-e-sadiq sahib if you want to confirm the story..