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]
Prez. Musharaff is the Best for Pakistan’s future.
There have been so many improvements under him. I can’t see why people have any problems with him.
Yes there may be some unsolved problems but you can’t change everything. He has done alot for Pakistan and I am sure he is willing to do anything for the well-being for Pakistan. How does anyone know that the elections have been “staged” or “fixed” have you been there your selves and witnessed it being done??
Imran Khan is so corrupt, he just wants his ten seconds of fame, he won’t do anything as president. I’m sure of it. Musharaff is deffinetly better than Zia. Who could of handled Bush better? If it was someone else Pakistan would of been in the same state as Iraq and Afghanistan. And NO president Musharaff is not opposed by everyone.
Obviously there is a difference between Napoleon’s time and 2007 Pakistan. People were longing for a free France they were tired of all the wars going on. The revolution was for change, to bring about more freedom. And infact freedom has been brought to Pakistan. If Musharaff was an over ruling dictator he wouldn’t let talk shows discuss things against him, he wouldn’t allow freedom of speech. People tend to look at the more negative things than the positive. It’s human nature but what can I say people have to open there eyes and look at some of the positive things for once.
Did not know you had ‘naukars’ and slaves serving you tea in Chicago. Thank you Abdulhai for letting us know :-)
I agree with SJH, this cynicism of posters is disturbing. It serves no purpose and just being angry has become a fashion in itself. I am glad that people at these meetings are beginning to actually think about what can actually be done.
King Faisal,
[quote post=”717″]army steps in again and throws in jail, the corrupt politicians, the ghuddar lawyers and the bey ghairath journalists.[/quote]
What of the corrupt generals, the ghaddar COAS, and the beyghirath brigadiers? Who will hold them accountable?
Dil mein ik lei see uthee hai abhee
Koi taaza hawa chalee hai abhee
To all the cynics, now is not the time to be divisive, be wise dear friends and understand the fragility of hope. Don’t label people so easily as elites or otherwise, because maybe all of us have more in common than we might realize.
I take the liberty to post a link to the very enlightened discussion we had with Adil Najam, Syed Talat Hussain on ABN’s Urdu Talk Radio Chicago.Its nice to hear some of the prominent bloggers who appeared on this show.
Flash Player link.
http://www.archive.org/audio/xspf_player.php?colle ctionid=ShahranAsimUrduTalkRadioandBloggingdiscuss ion
download link:
http://www.archive.org/download/ShahranAsimUrduTal kRadioandBloggingdiscussion/radio5270701.mp3