Credits for photos belong to Pervaiz Munir Alvi saheb. He took the photos on his recent trip to Pakistan and graciously shared them with me. The location is the Grand Trunk (now called highway N5) in Punjab.
While we have discussed Declaration of Emergency, Chronology of a Meltdown, mis-treatment of Imran Khan in recent past, one topic that got missed is what’s Benazir Bhutto up to these days? We would like to hear from our readers. Today, on my drive back from office, I was listening to Imran Khan‘s interview on National Public Radio (NPR). On a question of joining forces with Benazir, Imran Khan replied:
“We would love to join Benazir, except we don’t know whose side she is on today….There is a big mistrust of each other among opposition parties these days”.
I agree. What do you think? Above photos are in no way ATP’s endorsement to Benazir. They simply reflect a glimpse of our society. In addition to that, I personally enjoyed reading the slogan: “faisla zameer da….”
2 suicide attacks kill 35 in Pakistan
http://futureofpakistan.org/
Clearly there are divergent views about Benazir Bhutto in this forum. That is unsderstandable and to be expected. However, I am amazed at the logic being used by some of her supporters. According to what we have heard so far, BB deserves our support because:
– the author of the post asked a “loaded” question, possibly with malicious intent.
– most posters in this forum are against BB, if not the blog administrators themselves
– IK and NS are useless for sundry reasons.
– Sure she is after power but, then, who isn’t? So why pick on her?
– She is a woman in a man’s world (are you listening Hillary?).
Personally, I can’t find any fault with the pursuit of power. That is what politics and political parties are mostly about. Personally, I am not against her just because she craves power. However such pursuit of power is through legitimate electoral means, within the limits of the law and, last but not least, sought from the people who are entitled to have their opinions counted – the citizens of Pakistan.
In BB, we have a politican (and I will admit that she may not be the only one) who openly flouts all of the above principles.
Power is to be sought through an electoral mandate by convincing the citizens of a country by offering a program which addresses and resolves the issues that matter to them. It is not to be sought by means of making shady deals.
Redress of legal cases is to be sought in the courts of law; not from self-appointed heads of state as “quid pro quo” for underhanded support for them.
People, resources, and assets of Pakistan are not any politician’s jagir for them to decide what they would do with them. Does BB want mandate from the people of Pakistan or from the US and the West? Do the people of Pakistan have any say in the issues that matter to them?
Are the people of Pakistan dying to have A. Q. Khan thrown to the hounds as BB has so graciously offered?
Do the people of Pakistan want US/NATO forces fighting a war in NWFP and in the tribal regions of Pakistan? Are the people in NWFP bonded labor of BB’s family that she has unilaterally put their lives, homes and dignity on the line? By what right? Is anyone entitled to ask? Why doesn’t she offer Bilawal house and gaRhi Khuda Bakhsh, or the homes and lives of her loyal supporters instead?
Prostituting her principles is BB’s right; As far as I am concerned she doesn’t have any. Her supporters are certainly entitled to their viewpoint. But why should they whine and object about the viewpoint of those who she doesn’t represent?
mr zia’s assertion that since every one else in pakistan is corrupt BB should be given a pass, iam not sure what segment of pakistani society does BB represents besides herself & her croonies, she already has had 2 terms to do something positive but she handily squandered both opportunities.
i pray for the sake of pakistan that she be prosecuted to the fullest extent!!
I think Pakistan is becoming politically mature now. Musharraf is gradually becoming a lame duck as does the American President in his 8th year in office. Similarly no Pakistani President or Prime Minister has ruled for more than 11 continuous years. Both Zia and Ayub ruled for 11 years. Musharraf has become highly controversial in his 8 years and might not survive in the next three, even if he does he would be too weak to assert himself. Specially after the return of Nawaz Sharif things would change dramatically against him. That is another sign of political maturity of Pakistan. In recent history only Thatcher in Britain has been able to rule for more than 10 years. After the death of Deng Xiaoping in China, it is almost becoming a tradition in China for any Chinese leader to serve no more than two terms. It is yet to be checked though if Hu Jintao leaves after 10 years in office or not. In neighboring Iran there is also a limit of 8 years on the President, so there is one in Russia. Mexico has a limit of one-term or 5 years. So there must be some logic behind it and as Pakistan’s history shows that no one remains relevant after around 8 or 10 years of rule, so even if Pakistan withdraws away the limit on two time Prime Minister and the Army doesn’t interfere I am quite sure that no PM can survive for more than 10 years in Pakistan, be it NS or BB or even an Army President. Its only when the military makes victims out of NS and BB that ensures their political survival and come back.
No to BeNazir unless she admits her crimes and ask for forgiveness in public also she makes the promise that she will never be a thief again. Same for Mr. 30%
I fully support Mushraf and I think he has been the truth ruler Pakistan had after long time. But the way Pakistan treated him after what he has done for Pakistan. May be he was better off resigning. I am so disapointed Pakistani people rather have BeNazir than Mushraf. One is proven for her crimes and other had to do few things out of his way for the sake of Pakistan.
Allah Bless Pakistan and Mushraf .
I will stand behind whoever is next ruler this is the way every Pakistani should be. Once elected or once ruling Pakistan we should stand behind the leader but can continue to disagree.
No to BeNazir unless she admits her crimes and ask for forgiveness in public also she makes the promise that she will never be a thief again. Same for Mr. 30%