Adil Najam
It seems that the PPP government has finally found its equivalent to Wasi Zafar (the absurd, and often obnoxious, Law Minister in Gen. Musharraf’s government; here and here). Listen to the Rt. Hon. Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi, Federal Minister for Defence Production, proclaiming that it is the “political right” of every politician to do corruption: “yaar, karrapshun pay humara haq nahiN hai, aur unn ka hai!”:
In all fairness, I should confess that there is a certain bholla-pun and naivety in Mr. Jatoi that is markedly different from the viciousness of Mr. Zafar.
Minister Jatoi does seem to be trying (badly) to make a argument – a silly argument, indeed; but an argument nonetheless. But he may also have hit on a real truth. Not only because so many politicians do indeed believe what he has naively said but even more because we have indeed created a system of governance (through the actions of the politicians, of the military and through the reactions – or lack thereof – from the courts and the media) that smacks of political immunity for the corrupt. Maybe we should listen to what he is saying more carefully, after all.
Of course, the host – Javed Chaudhry – is having a field day; and enjoying it too. A big part of this is the host’s inappropriate badgering and the game of trying to ‘corner the guest’ rather than having a conversation. Its a game played by all our leading hosts. But the fact of the matter is that Mr. Jatoi does himself no favors and looses his cool again and again. Even when the host shows some tarss on the guest, the Minister just keeps digging himself into deeper holes.
Seems like this is a pattern with Minister Jatoi, since he keeps coming for more from Javed Chaudhry. Watch them here too, as the host corners Mr. Jatoi to proclaim that he is himself corrupt (around min. 5:50). And, then, again, dig himself even deeper in a hole – trying to make a ‘point’ but making a fool of himself instead, even as the host tries to give him a way out.
And if you want more, see the next segment, when both Mr. Chaudhry and Mr. Jatoi keep at it.
Actually, I found the last two videos even more hilarous.
But really, I am more angry at the host the way he is making a tamasha out of all of this.
“yaar, karrapshun pay humara haq nahiN hai, aur unn ka hai!”:
I think Adil you are taking his response out of context, he meant to say “when they (PML(N) + Army) do corruption no one cry wolf but when we do it everyone is after us”, which is quite ironic. As for corruption its happens everywhere, even in the US and I agree everyone should be accountable but elected leaders are less prone to it since they spend some on public projects for next elections. While dictators have no shame and keep everything for themselves as they no public interest, they use small parties to blackmail civilian leaders.
I hear the whole hoopla is due to General Kayani’s retirement in coming November 2010 and he wants Zardari to extend it so they’re using every trick in the book to harass present government, what do you think?
I just saw the video. This must be the first time that this politician is honest. At least he is admitting corruption being his right. Adil, How can we avoid a bloody revolution or anarchy with this type of Pakistanis, in all parties, in power, for a foreseeable future.
Some comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “Amazing, isn’t it?”
– “Zardai must be punishing this guy by now.”
– “zardari cant punish some one who is similar to him ,”
– “Hilarious”
– “Zardari will punish him exactly like Musharraf punished Wasi Zafar!!!!!”
– “You are right, PPP has found its Wasi Zafar.”
– “Also, what about the host. This is really bad journalism. Badgering someone like this. Even if the Minister is an idiot!”
– “Thanks to Musharraf for giving us free media”
Hillarious.
But also sad.
I actually feel sorry for the poor guy. The host is playing with him like a cat plays with a mouse!