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.
Great find.
And love the headline. PPP finds its Wasi Zafar. Indeed.
The stupid anchor person makes this even funnier. I pity both the host of the show and the guest. But most of all I pity all the rest of us. THESE are the politicians we get. And THESE are the Media hosts we get. No wonder everything is in disarray!
Great videos. The second and third ones are even more revealing.
I got angry at the host for his attitude. He seems more like a ‘madari’ than a host. In fact, despite saying stupid things, Jatoi was taking the topic more seriously than the host.
Some comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “CHAL BAY RU MAD rizzi elahi”
– “inka bass chalay tu ye country ko sale karday”
– “”PPP finds its Wasi Zafar” Title of the year!”
– “musharraf nay he to media ko kharab kya hay,pehly geo per pabandi lagai or phr pechy sb ultay kam start kye..”
– “In fact – I agree with the guy .. only those who do not have a chance are not corrupt – the whole society is morally bankrupt”
– “Truth AT LAST!”
– “rulers like these are imposed on us because of our bad deeds. we should all do Toba”
– “karwa sach!!!!”
– “I agree cent per cent it is “karwa sach!!!!””
– “saray chor hain !”
Just imagine the guy is minister for defense production. LAUGH OUT LOUD HILARIOUS
Yadesh Bakhair ! there is a ‘Daktaar Sahab’ who used to give Quranic Lectures on A TV regularly , a famous lawyer of SC and outspoken ‘Intellectual’ recently received Rs. 3 crore as Afzal Khan of Punjab Bank a week ago said this in SC. Not only Babar Awan , Jhakrani of Health approved 400 medicines without any test and certificates, Sindh PPP ministers and Chief Secretary ,Sindh Bureacuracy is breaking all previous corruption records and selling property of KPT to land mafia sintting in Sindh Assembly. Steel Mills ,PIA , Railways have already drowned. Zardari’s blue eyed are on thier way with Rental Power Projects .One can disagree with few points of MQM politics but even MQM enemies accept exceptional performance of Karachi City Government and Mustafa Kamal.Thats why PPP is trying hard to throw local body system to get thier ‘ due share’. Punjab Government is not 100% pure or ideal but better than test of all.Shahbaz Sharif slected 40,000 Educators for Punjab Schools and 99% on merit. All Govermnet High Schools 4000+ Computer Labs were bulit with PEL/Microsoft/Punjab collaboration in 110 days.TI Report also claims 13% reduction in Punjab.Many Pakistanis specially in US/UK consider Imran Khan as an option.Sorry to say,Imran is great for charity,projects,education,hospital like unforgetable projects except politics ! Its game of opportunity and wisdom and Khan unfortunately lacks in both !