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.
My Answer to Bangash, Wadood and all who are thinking like this.
I don’t have the luxury of Drawing rooms, tea and whatever you have and sitting there and enjoying too.
I was born labor and also the victim of speaking truth while I have never asked for anything for myself.
Nothing; but these kind of remarks make one retire. It is the attitude of few people criticizing every positive thing and then spreading the pessimism.
I don’t have any agenda neither I am politician. You; the frustrated people are my agenda. Stop writing and negating the good cause and criticizing every single thing. Wake up, UNITE and do something practical.
I don’t believe in Personalities and Agendas, Neither I have the desire to become a leader.
THIS IS MY POINT
When I will explain about me, it will tell how I have rejected all the offers of becoming a Leader, how I stood for truth and fairness and how I have lived my life.
But I also know that this nation has the habit scarifying someone like me as they did with Imam Hussain, Ata Ullah Shah Bukari, Mirage Khalid and Dr. Qadeer and countless.
When I stood for election and had my first speech and promised to open a mobile Library and a Free Dispensary, no body recognized but when the next speaker promised to fix streets, transformer and go the police station to talk the SHO, there was an applause. This is not my agenda.
It is like Ashfaque Ahmad( Talqeen Shah) who once said; I am born 100 years ahead and now we might worship his grave and build a mazar the same way we been doing for centuries and even more from the day we got liberty.
Remember if this is the attitude and remains, we all will become slave as before 1947 and that time is not too far. Everything is all pledged and once any nation starts like the time of Abbassis, then another Ganghes Khan is getting ready for us, sharping his teeth and warming up.
I still have the envelope in my pocket and I can cash it anytime, do what is being done to the county, get my share and enjoy the luxury of a cozy living room with a sip of so many but, I will not
Your excellent point that this appointment will be a signal to the extremists about how ‘well’ their extremist tactics are working is an important one. I think this lesson is lost on the government as well as on our analysts on media pundits.
Everyone seems convinced that Latif Khosa is decided. I have a feeling that we will get a surprise. Someone who is not even PPP. Just wait!
Some comments from ATP Facebook Page:
– “I would rather see someone unrelated to politics as governer of Punjab, a businessman, maybe even an acclaimed academician; this is the only way to avoid the bickering that was seen during the past 3 years. The governer is a state symbol and even philanthropists like Edhi can be appointed, someone who could command respect from all”
– “I hope what u wished for come true. We need ppl like edhi and Imran khan! These ppl have earned their respect and it is our responsibility to make them come forward!”
– “Disappointed in the present political system and setup, I, for one, am least optimistic about a positive change as far as both religious tolerance and respect for Islam are concerned.
By staying quiet on these issues, the next governor will complete his tenure, give way for the next, and the next for the next. While the ordinary Pakistani will continue to grind under these pass-the-ball-games.”
– “What!!!! Do they want another murder????
They shiuld choose wisely this time.”
– “There r still plenty khotays. Who could take this position!”
@Asif Ali,
I was/am pained to ask for liberal forces to organize their own cadres to violently confront the religious fundos. You call it ‘incitement’ to violence, I call it self-defense.
I think the State of Pakistan is helpless against these fundos. It is fast approaching a point where it is either their way or death-wish.
I don’t want a point to become where even minor anti-rightwing rallies become impossible because of the threats. I don’t want a point to become where we can’t have people going to restaurants without women in burqahs.