Adil Najam
The next Punjab Governor – to replace Salman Taseer, who was brutally murdered earlier this week – is expected to be announced any time. Although many names – including a few refreshing surprises are still floating around, one hears that a consensus has already been achieved and former Attorney General Sardar Latif Khosa is already receiving congratulatory phone calls from colleagues on his impending appointment.
This being Pakistan, anything can still happen – and, maybe, we will hear a name that has not yet been even discussed. That being as it may, our interest is less in the precise name and more in the political consequences and messaging of whatever decision is made.
As reader Qurban Ali rightly pointed out in a comment elsewhere on this blog the ‘symbolism’ of the appointment will be important. The decision will be discussed, dissected and digested by Pakistan’s body politics even more than most such decisions are, not only because it comes mid-term and because it comes as a result of such disastrous circumstances, but even more because it will be seen as the most authentic statement on (a) the government’s (and Mr. Zardari’s) real and honest response to the way Salman Taseer was slain and (b) the government’s (and Mr. Zardari’s) real and honest intent about the future of the political relationship with the PML(N) in the Punjab.
For both those reasons, the decision itself is critical and even more critical will be the very first statements and actions that the new Governor – whoever s(he) may be – makes.
Personally, I find it very important that in the choice of the next Governor – and in the new Governor’s first words and actions – be a clear statement that the government is not going to be cowed by the violent intolerance that brought Salman Taseer’s life to an end. No one wants to flare violence any further than it has already engulfed Pakistan, and this message has to be delivered with care, but also with clarity. The very worst message to send to the extremists right now would be anything that suggests to them that murder and violence is a ‘successful’ strategy; that the government is now ‘scared’ and will ‘retreat’ from matters of principle. If such a message is received by the extremists the lesson they will learn is one of more murder and more violence. This will be disastrous for the country.
Equally important for the province and for the country right now is to bring down the temperature of political infighting amongst parliamentary forces and to bring a sense of stability to the country (this is true not just for the Punjab but for all provinces today). For this reason, I would like to see someone who can reduce the level of jugat-baazi and political point-scoring between PML(N) and PPP – supposedly, allies in the Punjab government. There are at least two reasons why it is important to appoint someone who can be a potential bridge-builder rather than an instigator. First, there are only that many battles that you can fight at one time; I would much rather see all the major political forces in the country fight the forces of intolerance and extremism rather than consume their energies in pulling each others’ legs (supposedly in preparation for whenever the next elections might be). Second, with the country facing the type of economic, social and security challenges that it is facing, there is an even greater premium on political stability than usual. Our politicians seem not to realize this, but lingering instability and politicking is destroying people’s faith in democratic politics itself. That, too, is disastrous for the country.
Here is hoping that Mr. Zardari will make a good – and a wise – choice. Here is wishing the best of luck to whoever becomes the next Governor. The new Governor will need it. As does Pakistan.
@Bangash,
You are right. The billion dollar question remains: Who is going to bell the cat?
I don’t think there is a snowball’s chance in hell for any ‘reforms’ or ‘revolution’ to succeed in Pakistan without an organized, ‘on the ground’, force. And that would be a political party.
And we all know how much the blogspace (not me personally) hates all ‘politics’. Hey, they are all ‘corrupt’, right? Let’s have the jackboots on our necks again. But then, when the jackboots come, Oh, it’s eight years and how I do I get these jackboots off my neck now. This has happened thrice. THRICE! The only exception was Yahya Khan but then, courtesy the military defeat, he got kicked out in a mere three years.
Call me a cynic. Since Taseer was killed I don’t mind being called even worse.
@Bangash.
I don’t find much of excitement in Pakistan Tea Party’s ideas either, but I actually find your comment disgusting.
How do you know that he/she is in a ‘drawing room’ or eating ‘gajjar ka halwa’?
Or are you one of those habitual liars like Adnan and others who just make up these things to discredit and smear others without any regard to what you are doing. Character assassination is just one word away from assassination and both are usually done by the very same type of people, just with different tools.
So, if you don’t like someone’s ideas, say why. Or, better, give better ideas yourself. If not, then please spear us your sarcasm. It is attitude like this which eventually grows into real violence. I am sure Malik Mumtaz Qadri also began by first smirking and shooting wisecracks at Salman Taseer! We can do without your cynicism.
Pakistan Tea Party is yet another of those who come up with big plans to save the world while sitting in their living rooms and eating gajar ka halwa and sipping kahwa.
After much discussion they then retire to bed.
@Pakistan Tea Party
Nice sentiments, but what is your action agenda. What is one doing in terms of concrete actions. That is what we need. A few concrete actions to galvanise around.
Here is one of the thought which I have been swindling in my mind for more then 30 years and it is also based on recent upside down in the US politics with one TRUTH nothing but TRUTH; that People have the power to change anything, if they want.
I am requesting here to Dr. Adil Najam, Owais Moghul and all of you; the readers and contributors; Let’s prove that we can change and we the people of Pakistan still have the courage, power and will to change the ever persisting ill and rouge situation of the county. my country, your county.
Pakistan Tea Party – Pakistaniant based on Insaniat; not on the base of Color, Cast, Sect, Sex, Group, Origin, Religion, Orientation, Language or Certain Geography etc., etc.
• My dear Pakistanis all its takes; is first step. Stop mumbling and cursing. Step- up to save the country, no more pieces of what is this left over.
• Let’s make a move and change and wipe this sick and dirty politics from the roots of our homeland.
• Be honest to yourself, don’t worry about others. It is enough for the time being.
• Don’t think that this country does not need you, you need this country.
• Don’t look towards and wait for the Leaders to help & rescue you. Lead yourself to help yourself and your fellow citizens.
• Don’t think and expect what others can do for you, think and do what you can do for yourself and for others.
• Please don’t say what this country gave you, think what you have contributed and can contribute for this country for yourself your family and for the people around you.
• Let’s have no more strikes, no hold-ups, no shutter downs and no agitation on the roads. The assets of the Country are your assets.
• Consider it a one of the many blessings of Almighty ALLAH and use the this revolutionary Internet Technology in a productive and positive manner. Don’t waste anymore of your time by posting conflictive and garbage stuff on Internet. Get linked, tie-up and use the power of pen and bring a change. Make a positive and healthy move and prove that a silent and peaceful revolution is still possible.
• You can do it.
Having said all that I am addressing you (who is reading this), volunteer yourself, get organized, get together and let’s bring a CHANGE; a Change is all we need.
Join hands with me and we will make it happen