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]
The poll will be in 2008.
There is no value of Fool Pakistani Public and their Fool votes Pakistani are Rats and We are Cats. We Don’t need Pakistani or Democracy we want to Rule Pakistan and nothing. When we want we come to Rule Pakistan and when we want we left Pakistan, because Pakistan doesn’t give anything we get all things from Pakistan in our Palace, Come Join Benazir Bhutto or Prepare to Die.
Seems to me that you may as well take the poll down now…
NO elections happening this year it seems….
what do people who said there will be elections say now?
Folks, Something massive is unfolding in islamabad; ruling league’s vice president went to geo and called musharraf responsible for the situation.
It will be tragic if chaudries come clean out of this mess. They seem to have already started their campaign for that purpose.