Adil Najam
Today, March 16th, marks the death anniversary of former Pakistan Prime Minister Mohammad Khan Junejo who died on this date in 1993. It is not a date that is likely to be marked by much ceremony or rememberance.
Yet he was the Prime Minister of this country and some of his decisions helped shape some of the momentous twists and turns of our recent history. As Gen. Zia-ul-Haq’s chosen appointee, was never a person who held much ‘real’ power in the country. Yet, one could argue that he helped shape the calculus of power that was to follow his tumultuous tenure, including his eventual falling out with Gen. Zia-ul-Haq.
There are those who would argue that Mohammad Khan Junejo was yet one more puppet in hat has been one long putli tamasha. Others, however, would insist – with some admiration – that for all his faults he was an honorable man trying to seek an honorable path out of a dishonorable situation?
Which is it? Could it be both? Or, maybe, neither? What are we to make to Muhammad Khan Junejo? How should we remember him on this day?
P.S. Do watch the video above with some care. It is fascinating to see a much younger Aitizaz Ahsan analyzing the politics of the time. I also wonder who the young man who is standing behind then Prime Minister Junejo (at min. 5:04m on the video) might be? Is it, by any chance, a much younger (and now Prime Minister) Yousuf Raza Gillani? It well could be. Mr. Gillani was, after all, a member of the the Junejo (and, therefore, Zia) Cabinet – serving first as Minister of Housing and Works and later as Minister of Railways.
I believe how Junejo was treated by the Ziaists after his ouster and by Nawazs supporters is a story in itself.
Every Pakistani usurper has desired Presidential form of government.
It is simple. One man, one gun and no one to share the lime light. The only exception and tolerated was the famous “son of Attock”.
However, only the evil usurper and his co-conspirator, Brohi, dreamt of “Amir-ul-Moomeneen”. And as he famously said, “I can tear up the constitution any time I like”. At minimum, he wanted the presidential form of government.
Junejo should be remembered as the pivitol character who paved the path for the return of the parliamentary form of government and restoration of the 1973 constitution, albeit with amendments that bent it out of shape. He made it palatable for the evil, though in the end, the evil had “had enough” of the goodness of Junejo.
As Junejo is universally remembered to be one of the nice guys of Pakistan, the nation should thank him, for he must have had to washed his hands after each meeting with the evil eyes and sly smile.
Pakistan’s politics nicely encapsulated here. When have the army not deemed themselves saviours? Where have these arguments been heard before? When in opposition why do the parties not come up with a credible plan for governance?
My father has been around since the birth of Pakistan, and met many important figures in Pakistan’s history. He only has good words for Junejo.
The quality of our leadership is currently in the gutter. But as I remind my father, once you hit rock bottom the only way is up!
takhalus, agreed with you. I also think ojhri camp investigation sped up his govt’s dissolution.
Junejo was a good man, with what limited power he had ..he did far more good than Shaukat Aziz and Jamali ..probably more than BB in her first term. He lifted the emergency in 1985, went to geneva against Zias wishes..and pushed to get the truth about Ohjri camp..