Who takes the throne-Asif, Imran, Musharraf or Nawaz?

Pakistan next general elections are due next year and quite naturally someone will have to be crowned to occupy the throne so from that point of you we shall have to have someone whether irrespective of the fact we like him or not, we have no choice.

The trifling and baffling question is as to how we find the best person to be on the throne, or for that matter, who should not be given the chance to be on the throne?  Before I jump to the personalities, let me pen or pose a question as to who does not want power and power does not necessarily and exclusively mean the official authority but command. Father in the household has the power; teacher enjoys powers over his students; subordinates are subjected to the power of office boss; preacher in a mosque or church commands power over those who pray after him; landlord has power over his peasants; complex owner enjoys power over his tenants while the politician enjoys power over his voters and many more such like equations can be added up and each one leads to power yielding. So it is proved in quite crystal clear terms beyond even the slightest shadow of doubt that power irrespective of its severity is something unavoidable under all the circumstances and all the times and places whatsoever.

What we have seen in Pakistan during the last few days is worth taken into due consideration and therefore it simply cannot and should not be ignored in any case by any quarter including those in power or in opposition or aspiring to be in power. Opposition is the essence of democracy and that is why we find that in each and every country there is some opposition with no reference as to how effective it is but yet there is opposition hence Pakistan cannot be an exception to the established international practice. At this point of time, Asif Ali Zardari being the President is our Head of State whereas Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani is Prime Minister and Head of Government. Pakistan People’s party which has obtained majority in our National Assembly during the previous general election in Pakistan had been invested with inborn right to form its own government and consequently it picked up Asif Ali Zardari is President and Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani as Prime Minister for a period of five years and from this point of view they are our legally elected rulers. Honestly speaking both of them namely the president and prime minister have all the legal rights to be in power for the stipulated period of 5 years which they have not completed as to date and hence they have every right to cling to power till their mandated 5 years term is not completed.

As regards opposition, there could be three distinct categories under any given situation including Pakistan and though each one is independent in their own spectrum but yet there can be some association and linkage between them. Firstly, those who wished to grab power after winning in election but could not participate in elections for any set of imagination are boiled up to be out rightly deprived of and not to be part of power sharing. Secondly, all those who contested on a ticket issued by a political party and did win in election but failed to get an overall majority of seats and therefore being in minority they grumble and jitter against those who earned majority seats and have formed the government.  Lastly, those who spent lot of money coupled with time to contest the election but they eventually failed to get elected hence they are the worst hit not because they are out of power but because they invested money to earn but being defeated all that what had been spent has gone to drain and they are clueless how to get back at least that much which they have spent if not any extra money on top of it.

Those who have won the election either on the ticket issued by Pakistan People’s Party or those who joined PPP after being elected are very much members of power corridor of Pakistan and they are at their best and enjoying the ever happiest days in Pakistan. They got whatever they wanted either openly and or secretly and all of them have at least recovered total amount spent by them on election but in case if someone claims that he / she did not get back the money spent on election, my question is then why did he / she spend money on contesting election. In addition to money, they got many other intrinsic advantages too like getting plots, permits, overseas trips and employing their friends etc to name a few. Of course, on the top of it is the fame, name and the title they earn which they proudly write for example as former minister etc with their name once they are out of power.

Our next elections are due next year and therefore our political arena is very rightly heated up with election activities and as the time passes on it will not die out rather on the contra certainly I will accelerate and gain momentum. Who will win or who loses is too difficult to guess but nevertheless our people will be kept busy to listen to all those who are power hungry and thirsty but this a positive sign and not negative? Asif Ali Zardari being in power feels confident that he will easily win not because he is the president of the country but because he heads PPP which was founded by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the most popular figure in Pakistan who is still loved and respected alike though has been hanged many years back. Bhutto card is the trump card for Asif and therefore he will be back on the throne. Moreover, who does not want to continue ruling rule Asif so if he wants to stick to his guns he is quite justified? Just a few days ago he with the help of Muatahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) organized a public gathering where thousands of people came to listen to the address of Altaf Husain, Chief of MQM who addressed live from London. It definitely showed that Asif has some popularity otherwise so many thousands had not come out to attend and listen to Altaf who whole heartedly supported Asif. It is generally believed that PPP pays some money for people to attend such like meetings which are                                                                                                                                                                                                                    a bad sign but it does prove that people can at least be influenced if not purchased which is contrary to the free will of the people. Country has not advanced as it should have been since he is on the throne fir 4 years rather we are much more indebted than before, human life is very much exposed to many dangers, electricity is not available for 24 hours in any case and lastly our international ranking has been lowered than before. Do not forget that Asif was earlier known as Mr. 10% when his wife late Benazir Bhutto was Prime Minister but now when he himself is the president one does not need to comment on his % status.

Imran Khan is the next in the row aspiring to be crowned this time though he tried his luck earlier also but unluckily his Tehrik e Insaf party could not get seats so he still remains as an alien to the official power. He has few plus points to his credit to rightly boast of and the people do reckon them. He being captain of our cricket team which lifted world cup has given him due recognition and respect. Then he started Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Lahore which has heightened his status to unlimited heights and he is now known worldwide for establishing such a specialized hospital where poor are treated free. Lately he has started some educational programs in Mianwali, the place he belongs to and therefore he has won the hearts of the people. On the top of it he is challenging not only Asif but Nawaz Sharif too who is also aspiring to wear the crown. He is pretty young and UK qualified firebrand leader who always pulls crowds but without paying any money to anyone who come to listen to him. Two days before he had a huge rally in Lahore which was so largely attended by all section of people be men or women; young or old; employer or employee; educated or uneducated; political worker or otherwise that the opponents are really terrified as to how could he pull such a big crowd. He is promising to bring prosperity in the country, elevate the standard of life of a commoner, create an atmosphere of security in the country and it is expected that he will surprise many if not all in the forthcoming elections.

Gen ® Pervez Musharraf is basically a man in uniform who was sacked as Army Chief by the then Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif while the general was still onboard PIA flight from Colombo to Karachi but the former proved much more intelligent than the later resulting in that he not only toppled his boss but also got him arrested and put him behind bars. Gen ruled with iron hand for almost a decade and during the period he did lift up Pakistan in economic terms and which is very good sign and goes in his favor. Development of Gawadar as a port is one of his very remarkable achievement which is contributing towards economic prosperity of the country in general and the locality in particular. Baluchistan had been the most neglected province of the country and the people have grumbled that they are neglected but after Gawader port they are satisfied. He certainly wished to continue at least for another 5 years term but he faced so much opposition that he had to quit and shift to UK and became a part of international think tank whereby he delivers lectures in different countries against heavy payment so from monetary point of view he should be better off than before but lust of power has its own magnetic force. He has formed a political party and wishes to return earlier than the forthcoming elections to contest and become president again. Many have joined him and many will be joining as the election days come closer. One thing can be said that he did not loot money like his predecessors but being a human like all of us he was not an angel either to be immune of committing mistakes but ever since he had to surrender before the demand of the public it is expected that he will be much better person than before if he wins election.

Nawaz Sharif is really power hungry and thirsty for the very simple reason that twice had been prime minister but wish to become even for 3^rd time despite the fact that constitution does not recognize 3^rd term but he is after it. During his both terms neither the country progressed nor were commoners taken care of which as such goes against him if he can realize. Motorway between Islamabad and Lahore is the only project he can boast of but yellow cab scheme proudly introduced by him had not been only a flop but also turned scandalous. He can accommodate anyone but not Gen simply because he was imprisoned by him and had to be out of the country for almost 10 years time. Just a few days back Nawaz with the full support of his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif who is chief minister of Punjab, a mock rally was organized to show his vote bank but who does not know how the people were collected and dragged in to attend the gathering. Simple common sense demands that had he done marvelous for the country during his previous terms he had been justified to some extent for 3^rd term though it contravenes the provisions of our constitution but in the given circumstances it is not a step of prudence to seek for another term unless and until he voluntarily and blatantly proves to be power hungry and thirsty.

Summing up, who should be the person to be on the throne is entirely subjective to your own choice but you must remember that you should be very much judicious in your choice to select the right person devoid of any favoritism, nepotism, ethnicity and kinship etc otherwise not only you but the whole nation will suffer which of course cannot be afforded at any cost. Prove prudent to earn laurels than black spot.

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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait