Adil Najam
Before the elections Dawn News had done a series on who should become the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. I am not sure what the result there was. But I do know that the question is real again. Much more real.
Speculation is rife. Theories about. The more we talk about it, the more confused we get. The game is interesting, but is it just a game?
There are too many questions, and too few answers.
- Will we get a grand ‘coalition of [nearly] the whole, which will have 3/4th majority and could replace the President and rehabilitate the Constitution?
- Will PPP and PML-N part ways – either because PML-N will choose to be the ‘friendly’ opposition or because they both realize they cannot work together?
- What about the PML-Q? They are also talking to the PPP. Is a PPP-PML-Q coalition on teh cards?
- They say Amin Fahim is over, is he?
- Will we get a PM from the Punjab – Gillani, Qureshi or Mukhtar – to highlight that PPP is not just a ‘Sindhi’ party? If so, will this is permanent or temporary while the party waits for Asif Zardari to be elected from somewhere?
- With Maulana Fazlur Rahman doing his ‘meetings’, is he still in the game?
- What about the ANP? Could we see a consensus candidate emerging from there in the ruling coalition?
- And what about the provinces. It seemed that things were clear – PML-N in the Punjab, PPP in Sindh, ANP in NWFP and PML-Q in Balochistan. Will that actually be?
And you could answer any of them in the affirmative depending on what you already think and which news reports you have been reading. Any ideas what might actually happen?
In a recent post on ATP ‘temporal‘ had asked who should become the next president of Pakistan. We ask a similar question today but the intent this time is not normative, but practical. The question, this time, is not who should become the next President, but who you think will become the next Prime Minister, given the way the cards have been dealt with the last elections.
so, Koun Baney Ga Wazeer-i-Aazm? Any thoughts?
The vote was for the PPP so the choice is clear: Asif Zardari.
But whether he wants to head the state, or would prefer to appoint Fahim is a choice he has to make.
Finally, it is team work that counts.
A political team reflective of the country’s diversity, which looks to the future and not the past, works with sophistication to restore national pride is important.
It was indeed a moment of sorrow and deep regret to hear comments of Asif Zardari about Kashmir. Indeed tragic, Zaradari must have to be very responsible and cautious while giving statement especially about only main issue of Kashmir. Kashmir is our jugular part and we will not any leader selling it india. I want to convey my all love and affection to Kashmiri brethern and sisters who had laid down so many sacrifices for the cause of their independence. So Mr. Zardar and any body please be careful and remember Kashmir will always be first for all Pakistanis.
Expat:
It gets a little off topic but I was amused at your observation: “although one really has to wonder who told him to dye his hair black”.
Yes, I wonder who advises these men to dye their hair. I am not sure about SMQ, but most policticians do — and they do it with a vengence. Have you observed Pervez Elahi? Dyed to the gills?
According to a woman specialist in haircare, “dye jobs that resemble someone slathering their head with black shoe polish is a far bigger turnoff than grey hair. (A bad toupee, that’s a deal-breaker.)”
I would prefer to see a PM or President who doesn’t dye his hair.
If the Americans have anything to do with it, then probably SMQ will be the next PM. He’s the “blue eyed” boy as far as the West is concerned – Cambridge educated, well-spoken and well-dressed too (although one really has to wonder who told him to dye his hair black – thank God it’s back to its”clinton-esque” glory (and I mean Bill not Hilll!). Not sure if there’s any substance behind him, but he definitely has the “face validity” of a PM. Also, while he is Punjabi, he represents the Siraiki speakers which is a HUGE plus. Also, he is a religious figurehead of sorts through which he has a major connection to Sindhis. So he actually has a lot going for him (he’s also been in both parties so that sort of makes him bi-partisan, no? lol). But of course, the best candidate (and this of course is RELATIVELY speaking) hardly ever gets chosen (otherwise Ehtizaz Ehsan would be made PM). So… I’m not holding my breath….
Each one of us is eager to say democracy is the best. In the same breath we hold debates and opinion sniffers to ask who will head the government. Nothing wrong with that if it were pre-poll. Once the election results are out and we know which party