Salahuddin Haider
Maryam Nawaz was to blunt to leave a good impression. She was aggressive, and thought she could throw out the PTI government of Imran Khan. Fazlur Rehman’s contempt against the regime was understandable, to some extent justified also but only in negative sense. His statement at the joint press conference at Jati Umra Wednesday night could only be categorized as mere jealousy. Imran, After all had disgraced him in 2018 elections. His vengeance was natural.
But the most important question is can the opposition parties, linked together in a United Front, and is about to launch campaign against a regime, barely two years old, succeed in mobilizing people?. Their pre-launch campaign at Lahore left much to be desired. Hardly few thousand people were behind them. Secondly, they shifted their launching pad from Quetta to Gujranwala, probably learning lessons from the poor response at Lahore. The date too has been shifted from Oct 11 to Oct 16. They may collect a larger assembly of demonstrators because Lahore, Kasur, Mandi Bahauddin all are in close proximity and if organized properly, it could well be a success story for the Pakistan Democratic Movement. In Karachi, Peoples Party undoubtedly can lend them valuable support, bringing caravans from Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Shikarpur, Larkana, Nawabshah which is Asif Zardari’s home town.
But to sustain that momentum will be a difficult task, because of internecine differences between the multi-party conglomerations. Till Two days ago, during meeting at Jati Umara between Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Maryam Nawaz, differenced remained unresolved on formation of organization committees. Ahsan Iqbal Noon League, secretary general was tasked to contact opposition parties, who still depict differences over distribution of offices for the PDM Alliance.
Another important point was Maryam’s reluctance to answer difficult questions from the media, which had collected at the Jati Umra press talk. Twoo many questions, she just evaded, saying she could answer those very well, but press is under tremendous pressure, gagged in fact. If “you are disallowed from relaying important speeches of her father, they would be barred from relaying her answer to ticklish questions too. That is illogical logic. Whether press is restricted for good or bad reasons, a politician, especially one seeking leading role in street agitation, have to face such questions, and as they say, there is method in madness, she too could have been evasive instead of responding to silly questions even.
If a politician has to face favorite press, it can face hostile media also. He or she should be ready for all kinds of situations. Politics is altogether a different ball game. Many an expert noticed her previous press talk where her principal aide, Maryam Aurangzeb was tipped off and off to encourage handpicked reporters to ask her questions. She avoided those in the favorite list of PML (N). Some reporters at her Jati Umra press talk wanted to know about his 95 crore assets, her father’s chain of factories, big bank balance, and her own approach to life. She wore shoes and sandals costing over Rs225,000, preferring expensive attires, and yet posing as poor man’s sympathizer. The problem in Pakistan is that very few politicians come from the poorer or middle class families. Politics in Pakistan is the game of the rich. Lavish living, luxury cars, costly apparels. How many of them are involved in charities. They build palaces during the five year tenure of Parliament. Making money is their main motive. Service to People is a mere slogan, to fool innocent people who easily fall prey to their machinations. Is there any one among Pakistani politicians to be equated with Bill Gates, who reserves most of riches for charities?
Having said all that, one must take a deep look at Imran Khan, whose way of governance leaves much to be desired. Meetings are held almost daily, but net result is zero. Ground realities are different from the proposals for public welfare is announced. And that is where the PTI government is found trapped in the mess.
