Adil Najam
I found this full page ad in Dawn very interesting. And also very democratic. Maybe a national conversation does need to be held on who (or what qualities) makes for a good prime Minister?
(click picture to see a larger, more readable, image)
Do you have any ideas? Lets try to do this not on the basis of who can win, but who (or what qualities) should we want as our Prime Minister. At least as an intellectual exercise, and a national conversation, we should be able to get out of Benazir Bhutto v. Nawaz Sharif v. Pervaiz Elahi type of ‘pragmatic’ discussion into a discussion of what we really would like to see in a Prime Minister. Dawn’s set of criteria is a very good place to start.
So, folks, give us your ideas but please please please do not again repeat the same old slogans and naaras about why you don’t like who you don’t like. Lets try to focus this on who you like, and why. And even this is someone who has no real chance of winning, lets at least think about what qualities makes you wish that this person would win.
The ad gives these criteria for the person we should be looking for:
- He should be bold in upholding the law without fear or favor, but his actions must be tempered by the heart.
- He must be learned in teh art of policy making, but not lacking in mobilizing popular support for his policies.
- He must be honest to a fault, but neither dull nor unimaginative as to be able to figure our white-collar crime.
- He must deal with civil servants with firmness and retain an unerring belief in teh rule of law. He must allow a sense of participation around him so the Pakistani electorate is able to guide his thinking. He must shepard a nation of activists – not police a fold of huddled sheep.
One should note that they clarify: “This man or indeed woman could be completely unknown. Or it could be that astute and honest politician who long deserves recognition for integrity, competence, or even an ability to perform a deft Machiavellian maneuver.”
“……..its time to reconcile and unite not point out who is Pathan, who is punjabi etc
@ crazy comments,
Pakistan and Pakistani nation needs some one who :
can speak “Shusta” and fluent Urdu, Arabic, English etc,
can be a sincere, normal, practicing, moderate muslim,
can be an example of tolerance, & understanding others,
can have direct contact with masses, meet them regularly,
can resist the evil side of westernisation, promote Pak
culture,
can promote national dress, musique, poetry, gastronomy,
can live with modesty, simplicity, but dignity and impressive
appearance,
can dominate any debate with solid knowlege and words,
can develop direct contacts with families and youth,
can convince awam against evil in the society, alcoohol,
prostition, sexual perversion, drugs, fahashi, family
rupture, etc
can Stand firm on Islamic HumanRights and protect
Women Rights against stupid and anti-Islamic
traditions, de-block advancement ,
Is it too musch to ask ??
To the fellows who voted for Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif:
Did you take the record of these two in the 90’s into account or did u just a few statements by them in a newspaper and are ready to give them yet more chances?
My nominee for P.M.:
Mushahid Hussain, a well-spoken and intelligent person with experience in politics.
Mr. Pervaiz Musharraf had been ruling the State of Pakistan as a Dictator with a double title of President-General. Now he has doffed his uniform but still remains a dictator with a single title of President. He maintains all executive (constitutional or unconstitutional) powers that he usurped in 1999. Under his rule any “Yes Sir” man will be a desired Prime Minister. No need of wasting our time in discussing the qualifications for a good Prime Minister.
I agree. Bhutto was the best leader we ever got. Here is another must-watch clip on him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL1PfNJyNMI