Adil Najam
A letter, reportedly written by Barrister Aitizaz Ahsan, is making the rounds on the internet. Those of us who are used to organized propaganda and lies and also have to deal with sophomoric behavior of folks who regularly post under multiple names and multiple false identities on blogs like our own (ignoring that the IP shows up at the back end) can get cynical about what is or is not authentic. However, indications suggest that this letter is, in fact, from Aitizaz.
It is certainly well thought out and proposes a reasoned strategy for what might be done by the lawyers movement IF (and only if) the major parties choose not to boycott the forthcoming elections. What do you think of the strategy offered here? Can it work? Is it the beginning of a new political movement? The beginnings of a “Justice Party”? What is the next steps for the lawyers and judges who have been at the forefront of political events in Pakistan the last many months?
Whether one agrees or disagrees with Barrister Aitizaz Ahsan, the fact of the matter is that he is today a major figure not only in Pakistan’s politics and civil society but also in Pakistan’s polity. Anyone who has ever met him and discussed just about anything – from poetry, politics, culture, history, society, cricket and more – would testify that even when you do not agree with him (and many don’t) you cannot honestly deny his intellectual ability and breadth. Those who wish to deny it should read his book ‘The Indus Saga‘; which, again, can be disputed for its argument but not for its freshness of approach and breadth of imagination.
Pictures sometimes speak volumes. The picture of Pervez Musharraf’s oath ceremony, shown all over the world, is certainly one of them. It speaks volumes, loud and clear, about a bitter and remorseless retired general who still wants to be at the helm of power by all means possible.
