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.
Rt. Hon. Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi, Federal Minister for Defence Production IS THE MAN!! Good job. He is a real momin (good muslim). There is NO difference between his words and deeds. Is Kay Qual Aur Fael Mein Kui Faraq Nahein.
I will vote for him. He should be replace President Zardari or at least PM Ghillani.
Bravo!
This corruption, loan-waiveoffs and unreasonable perks and privileges were all there in 1980’s and 1990’s yet Pakistanis voted back the same old faces in Feb 2008 elections. So why are Pakistanis complaining ? You know these same faces will be elected again in next general election and anyone who tries to sideline these faces will be called “dictator” and “american agent”.
Every one holds cup of coffee or Chai, eats donuts or biskuts and shouts…
Aap corrupt hayn, PPP corrupt hay, Aliens corrupt hayn, Mircobes corrupt hayn.
If you have ANY proof, go to courts, otherwise basically we are into character assassination and defamation charges should be filed against us.
It is 21st century, lets not crucify people in our heads using vague statements.
Lets not act as Judge, Defense, Prosecutor because we are NOT.
Lets use courts once in our life.
-Shiraz
This was really wonderful :D
These guys rule us. Oh my God what a nation we are. We should also know that our media has equally gone corrupt. Their biased behavior towards their sponsored parties and wide coverage to urban thugs, can somebody make them accountable for that. Adil, why dont we do some post on it, which can highlight the change in lifestyle of Pakistanis after this so called freedom to electronic media.