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.
You raise interesting point about how this may come across to non-Urdu speaker. In both the videos. I just saw part of them with sound off, and you know what in all three – student, Musharraf, MNA – the face and hand gestures are overly agressive and seems more like fighting than discussing. Maybe that is really true of how we talk and argue in general. Sad.
The good news is that whatever the minister might say, there is a willingness for dissent and debate in the country. In blogs like this, on the many TV channels, in newspapers, and (as we see in these videos) even in the halls of power, there are those willing to say what they feel and moreover even those in power are at least willing to engage in that conversation. Beyond making slogans and just criticisizing everything just becasue we do not like a particular sides view (this type of one-sided and blanket criticism only makes one look silly), I do think that this is a good sign in society. I do NOT think this openness to debate (as someone said, much more than in the US or UK or Europe even) is there becasue Musharraf GAVE it to us (he is wrong in taking credit for it). It is there because people are willing to speak out. However, he has not actively taken steps to stop it, and I am glad for that.
In the video from the National Assembly, I am glad to see someone raise the issue of Bugti’s murder. Specially coming from a Punjabi. I think he got over emotional but it was good to see real issues raised. Woudl be nice to see the response from some of the government MNAs too.
I want to make two points concerning the discussion above.
1. It is a sad reflection on all of us that we cannot see Mr. Kakakhel (the student) outside of his ‘mullah looks’. Others have said it before and let me repeat it, that points to an intolerance amongst us (yes, I said ‘us’) liberals. To judge people on their looks (whatever the looks may be) represents an intellectual bankruptcy, no matter which ‘looks’ you consider to be the appropriate one.
2. At the same time I too cannot imagine such an occurance in ‘advanced’ democracies either. You think that the US President woudl allow such an unscripted volley on, say, Iraq? Certianly not in his presence like this. Let us, therefore, give credit where it is due. Same is true for the secodn video. No, it is not just political drama. I thought there was a lot of real anger and hurt in what he said. Making fun of his accent and style is not useful. Again, I am glad that such discussion can still take place in Parliament and it is not entirely a rubber stamp.
hmm I have noticed many comments without hard facts, statistics or evidence. For e.g “thief/terrorist”. I must say that nations who do not respect & support their leaders not only give the world to reason to make fun of them but also fail to reach their goals. We (Pakistan) must takeoff our horse goggles and retune our radical and/or pessimistic thinking. I know things r not perfect but in order to become a first world country (someday) we must start thinking like one. We are growing beards but losing the true values of Islam. God is not that narrow-minded and God is also not limited to outfits only. Jeans or Shalwar Kamiz does not matter. We lie, bribe, ask for 4 male witnesses when our sister’s are raped and enjoy blowing non-Muslims & ourselves.
Now about first video, I give credit to the government to broadcast such a demonstration of free speech on National TV. Even many western nations dont do that. We must appreciate that at least. The student also did a good job however I feel it lacked credibility and educated substance like facts, figures, dates, actions, solutions, future predictions, etc etc. but still not a bad job for a student who prepared for days to present.
Now the second video. I must say, only thing missing was a female Punjabi women dancing and it could have qualified for a low budget lollywood film. The body language and tone clearly reflects extremism and secondly it is a shame to see how he used someone else’s death as a political play card. I HOPE people know better and I pray that Allah continue to give our nation “EDUCATED” and eventually civilian leaders.