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….”
Viqar Minai:
What needs to be understood is that every nation is in a particular mode at a particular time, or over some period of time. The most powerful of ancient nations, China, had become so weak in the late and early 20th century that Japan and Russia would fight over its land and it wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. It didn’t gain soveireignity in a day or two. It took till the end of the world war and a four years civil war that finally restored sovereignity to the largest nation in the world. Pakistan is currently in a particular state of affairs, where US, UK, KSA, UAE and a few other nations have become too involved in its internal matters. It didn’t take a year or two for Pakistan to reach this state of affairs, and it won’t take a “free and fair” election to take it out of it, though it would certainly help. It needs time so I don’t see any drastic change in Pakistan’s current position viz-a-viz other powers in a few years. May be in next 10 years we might get some spine.
@Meengla,
I hope you don’t have a problem with English comprehension. Read my posts carefully. The
following is from the first post:
“God, she is as counterfiet as they come. To be fair to her, though, she isn
@Shahid
“Under present circumstances I don
Meengla:
I am no supporter of BB or ZAB for that matter, but I fully agree with you that we have made it a habit to malign BB. I, like you, would respect any decision given by the people in a fair and free election, even if its Musharraf, whom I hate the most.
@A.R.Shahid,
Although I wouldn’t go to the extent of ‘shudra’ vs ‘Brahimin’ kind of divide, there is definitely a kind of elitism which is more than willing to disregard who ‘the people’ may choose to be their leader. I think there are some common arguments against PPP/BB which form the core of ‘anti-Bhutto’ vote in various forms.
1) The only way BB can be accused of being a ‘dictator’ is her ‘lifetime’ chair of PPP. But look at other parties: ANP, MQM, PML-N, JUI-F, and yes, PTI: All of them revolve around inherited leadership or exclusively strong central personality. Jamaat i Islami is the only one different (though I am far from a Jamaati!).
2) BB is again and again pinpointed for her alleged $1.5 billion loot. Well, that’s a LOT of money! And to have that kind of money overseas and still come back to Pakistan and face a near-death experience makes BB an utter fool. I mean she can easily retire anywhere in this world and have a great life. So what brought her back? Many would say (including General Zia’s son in Musharraf former cabinet recently): To loot more. Wow!! No sir. I am not convinced of that or of anything charitable to her either. I am going to give perspective to events and make judgements in the light of new knowledge–and not be beholden to ossified views of events.
3) ZAB $issed off a lot of powerful people domestically–and was the last Pakistani leader almost completely independent of American influence. It may be a different matter that ZAB was not ‘sincere’ in his message but he did stir up the ‘jahil’ masses who still swear by him. Since 1977 his and his dauther are facing an establishment which has the support of the 63% of Pakistanis (ZAB/PPP never got more than 37% of popular vote) but these 63% cannot agree on anything except antagonism to ZAB/PPP/BB.
4) BB has publicly accused ‘CIA’ of involvement in killing ZAB. That she did not/does not blame the Americans govt. directly is because, since our Mard e Momin’s days, no Pakistani politician can survive without American support. A sad reality indeed.
There is a lot that can be said for or against BB. But I put my trust and faith in the people of Pakistan to elect whosoever they elect and I will respect the people’s choice. But, for that happen, we need fairness of elections which we have been denied since 1970. Is it too much to ask to let people decide who should rule them? No, it is not!