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=”51503″]I did not vote since I am not from Pakistan, but would be curious as to the results. Any chance of posting those for those who haven’t voted?
As for my hopes, I wish for option 2 or 3, you will in the end get the leader you deserve. Some people in the comments seem despondent, but please do not give up — the quiet pool of real courage lies in persistence even when there are setbacks. How does the saying go? “Zindabad Pakistan!” (Or is it the other way around?)[/quote]
If you live in Pakistan under military rule, you would become pessimistic too.
[quote comment=”51152″]@Sahar
what has Musharaff imposed on his people?
– Himself[/quote]
That’s a good one:)
I did not vote since I am not from Pakistan, but would be curious as to the results. Any chance of posting those for those who haven’t voted?
As for my hopes, I wish for option 2 or 3, you will in the end get the leader you deserve. Some people in the comments seem despondent, but please do not give up — the quiet pool of real courage lies in persistence even when there are setbacks. How does the saying go? “Zindabad Pakistan!” (Or is it the other way around?)
@Sahar
what has Musharaff imposed on his people?
– Himself
[quote comment=”50509″]
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]
I agree, we need to create out own destiny as a nation. Dictatorships will only continue as long as we tolerate them saying America supports them so what can we do.
Utho meri dunya kay ghareebo’n ko jaga do
Kakh-i umra kay dar-o deevar hila do
Garmayo ghulamon to lahoo soz-e yaqeen say
Kanjashk-e faro maya ko shaheen say lara do
Sultani jamhoor ka ata hay zamana
Jo naqsh-e kuhan tumko nazar aiye mita do
Another place Allama Iqbal says:
Ghulami may kaam aati hain shamsheerain na tadbeerain
Jo ho zauq-i yaqeen paida to cut jaati hain zanjeerain.
We need to imbibe ourselves with this conviction and then struggle to create a democratic welfare state where the rule of law is supreme.
As fr elections, there will either be a change of government through elections or through a revloution. Take your pick.