Adil Najam
I was in Chicago all weekend for Human Development Foundation (HDF) of North America’s Convention celebrating the HDF’s 10 years of service. It was an intellectually stimulating event with a host of thoughtful presentations various issues related to Pakistan’s development coming from Dr. Tariq Banuri, Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, Dr. Sania Nishtar, Arshed Bhatti (‘Civil Junction’ Cafe), Zobaida Jalal (Minister of Social Welfare), Ahmed Bilal Mehboob (PILDAT), Khalid Mirza (former SEC Chairman), Nasir Ali Shah Bukhari (KASB), Dr. Nadeem ul Haque (PIDE), Beena Sarwar, Munizae Jehangir (NDTV), Ethan Casey (PakCast), Syed Talat Hussain (Aaj TV), and others. The event also featured the music of Josh, Munni Begum and Jawad and the poetry of Ahmed Faraz.
As interesting as the formal presentations were the many many side conversations amongst the participants. The current political situation in Pakistan, including Elections 2007, were a hot topic. I learnt much in talking on this to people like Syed Talat Hussain from Aaj TV, Ahmed Bilal Mehboob of PILDAT who had been instrumental in getting the ‘open letter’ to Gen. Musharraf written, and also with Ahmed Faraz. On the elections question the common response was that ‘anything could happen’ and it is no longer clear what is most likely to happen, or even if elections would be held.
I was reminded of my conversation with Imran Khan last year where he had said that the 2007 elections would ‘either be like 1970 or like 1977.’ That may still be true; but it would depend on whether elections happen at all. What do you think? Will they?
[Poll=8]
[quote comment=”50531″][quote comment=”50509″]I wish there was a way in the question to find if these people think this is because Musharraf is democratic and doing a good job, or because they are cynical and think that nothing can ever change, or whether they think that all is well in Pakistan and everything is going smoothly?
Can anyone who has voted that way comment?
[/quote]
Musharraf’s gonna continue no matter what. Presently I am seeing that Bush is backing him. That’s why I have voted for no change. Also you cant find any USA state deptt giving any comments on returning of BB and Nawaz Sharif.[/quote]
I wonder how much the USA support could matter. They don’t support Chavez in Venezuela and Castro in Cuba, and still they are there. They supported Shah of Iran yet he had to yield to the people’s power.
[quote comment=”50509″]I wish there was a way in the question to find if these people think this is because Musharraf is democratic and doing a good job, or because they are cynical and think that nothing can ever change, or whether they think that all is well in Pakistan and everything is going smoothly?
Can anyone who has voted that way comment?
[/quote]
Musharraf’s gonna continue no matter what. Presently I am seeing that Bush is backing him. That’s why I have voted for no change. Also you cant find any USA state deptt giving any comments on returning of BB and Nawaz Sharif.
Wonder what the speakers at this meeting thought on economic situation. Did they agree that things are going greatly in Pakistan?
I am surprised that so many people think that there will be eletions on time and under Musharraf. I wish there was a way in the question to find if these people think this is because Musharraf is democratic and doing a good job, or because they are cynical and think that nothing can ever change, or whether they think that all is well in Pakistan and everything is going smoothly?
Can anyone who has voted that way comment?
I voted that there will be elections but not under Musharraf because I think one way or other change is about to happen.
Sorry it somehow got messed up when I tried earlier. I think it’s pretty important as it could add pressure on BB not to deal with Mush.
Lawyers embarass PPP workers over ‘deal’
LAHORE: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) activists on Thursday felt embarrassed during the rally as other parties’ workers and lawyers had been accusing
them of making a deal with General Musharraf. The PPP workers participated in the rally in a good number. The PPP workers, however, had to face anti-deal
slogans, “Baat karo na deal karo, Musharraf ko zaleel karoâ€