Adil Najam
There is probably no period in Pakistan’s political history that was more central to defining the political contours of the country than the period which defined the rise, and ultimately the fall, of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Trauma is a permanent condition in Pakistan politics, especially today. But Pakistan politics, even as it unfolds today, was really “made” in that period.
Few people have witnessed, participated, and deliberated upon this “making of Pakistan politics” as closely or as astutely as Mairaj Mohammed Khan. A friend sent me this recent interview of Meraj Mohammed Khan which is worth listening to in full.
Student leader, progressive activist, Bhutto’s protege, and later an outcast from the Pakistan People’s Party, Meraj Mohammad Khan’s reminisces on that era are at once articulate and insightful. The events he is talking about are monumental: the creation of Pakistan, the heydays of progressive student politics in Pakistan, the rise of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the creation of Bangladesh, the fall of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Imran Khan in politics, and much more. His views on all of this and more are at once articulate and insightful. Some may well be self-serving: he is, after all, a politico. The interview, in four parts, gives rare insights into the politics that was, and why the politics that is is the way it is!
It is also a very charming conversation between two men who have seen much and who are obviously comfortable in each other’s company; who obviously enjoy that company and are enjoying this discussion. This comfort between the interviewer and interviewee, I think, adds layers of poignancy to the conversation. Enjoy:
Mazduroon Ki Aan, Mairaj Mohammad Khan!
A gem of person. A true people’s leader 9Aawam Ka Khadim). A rare breed. Just look at the strenght of his character, he refuses to take the bait to bad mouth Bhutto,even after having spent years in prison during the later part of ZAB. ZAB put the hangman’s noose around his neck with his own hands the day he dismissed Baluchistan’s Bizenjo /Mengal government and kept tightening it by alienating leaders like Mairaj Mohammad. If a political giant like ZAB could not utilize Mairaj Mohammad then one can not blame a political midget like Imran Khan for failing to realize Mairaj’s potential. Gadhe Ko Zaafran Ki Kiya Qadar (How do you expect a Jackass to have an appreciation for Saffron?)
Adil, Thank you for introducing Mairaj Khan to this Blog. Interview brought back many memories. Very sad that our hope for the future, Imran Khan, is not maturing as a party leader.
Thoroughly enjoyed the interview. thanks
What a contrast from Mairaj Muhammad Khan to Altaf Hussain! I guess our whole politics has gone downhill. It is a shame that Mohajirs dumped people like him and brought the ones who just want to save their “seats” and “Nazims” in the name of interest of the country. Yet we have people of integrity like MMK who disassociated himself from Bhutto when he was a minister. He never compromised on his thoughts and ideas. Something to learn for our current political elite
Wonderful political activist and mobilizer !! I have been his fan since my childhood and heard a lot about his political mobilization against Ayub’s dictatorship. Students mobilization to oust Ayub was similar to that of lawyers movement ousting Musharraf.
Bhutto was greeted by NSF and of course Mairaj sahib was a major source to garner support from the students’ community. His frame of mind is to challenge the anomalies of power rather than part of power. He successfully had been doing that during all his political life.
His wonderful analysis about Imran Khan’s political immaturity is awesome as IK missed to capitalize the opportunity of filling the gap of third party that people had long been looking for.