as president of Pakistan. His track record, his corruption stories
and his infamy in the world political circles, could not prevent
him from securing victory with a convincing margin. Voices were
raised, even from unexpected circles about his choice, but to no
avail. The US and European press came out openly against him,
highlighting his corruption and undeclared properties in Europe,
Dubai and the US. But even that could not stop him from entering the
President House of Paksitan. Indeed USA is backing him up and UK is
the architect of his success.
Election to the highest office apart, Mr. Zardari has not changed a
bit. When he gained entry into political arena, thanks to sudden and
unexpected death of his spouse, he brought all his old friends,
however infamous, back to their old offices. He appointed his
friend Ms Fahmida Mirza to the coveted office of Speaker, National
Assembly. He chose her husband, Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Mirza as the
defacto chief Minister of Sind, his home province. He brought back
Dr. Shoaib Suddle, as IG Sindh, who was involved in the murder case
of Mr. Zardari’s alienated brother in Law, Mir Murtaza Bhutto. He re-
appointed notoriously corrupt officers like Salman Faruqui and
Rahman Malik. He is behaving as if he is the king. And people’s
party , a party credited with many sacrifices for democracy has
fallen on his feets as Indian Dalits bow at the feet of their
Brahiman Lords.
Even after election to the office of the President, his coteries are
throwing away national wealth to appease him. Yesterday, Governer
and the Chief Minister of Sindh donated Rs one MIllion each to
Karachi Race Club, because he is fond of Races. In view of rising
cost of living and diminishing income of the people, the money
should have gone to provide food or medicine to the needy. But old
habits diehard. People also laughed upon learning that sweets will
be distributed in all prisions of Pakistan, where Mr. Zardari was
held in captivity. Mr. Zardari has not forgotten his prison mates.
Horses and stables will soon return to President House.
Ladies and gentleman ! did you ever think why we have fallen to this
shameful status? The world is laughing at us. Indeed Mr. Zardari has
the backing of USA and the Pakistan Army, but that does not mean
that the will of 160 Million Pakistanis has been nullified. It is
our own faults and double standards. I have always felt pride in
being a Pakistani. But today I am ashamed of being one. Our
newspapers and magazines, TV and radio channels are responsible for
this dismal state of affairs. They only report, but never guide.
They know that one leader is popular because his ethnic politics or
sentimental black mail, yet they keep promoting him. They have
allowed people to be ruled in perpetual serfdom. Have our people
been destined to serve one master after another of the same family
or descent? Does this happens anywhere else in the world that after
death of a spouse, another takes control of party office and all the
party stalwarts start supporting him, irrespective of his stature
in the eyes of the public?. Until yesterday, they were haris and
servents of BB, today they are jialas of Zardari. Switching of
loyalties was never so swift. What has happened to criteria of party
service, sacrifices and longevity of affiliation to party cadre.
Everything has given way to family relationship. Do we need such
democracy? How it is different from dictatorship?
People of Pakistan need a true Islamic order, in which people are
elected on the basis of their peity, sincerity and capability.
People do not look at parties but at the persons they bring to fore.
Where character is the sole determinant of a public office. Where
people cannot declare themselves as a candidate, but only party
ranks elect their representatives. When will we raise above sham
democracy and long for true Islamic representation system ?
Muhammad Javed Iqbal
