Potential that millions of us were hoping for was there for all to see in the dying daylight at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.
LAHORE: I would like to commend Mr Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on the following: 1) His clear denunciation of the atrocities committed by the Taliban and his appreciation of PPP and ANP martyrs such as Salmaan Taseer, Shahbaz Bhatti and Bashir Bilour. In stark contrast to PML-N and PTI leaders, the PPP chairman was clear and unequivocal in his stance against the Taliban. 2) His understanding of economics and his stress on continuing the internationally recognised social welfare programmes by the current PPP-led government such as the Benazir Income Support Programme. 3) Unlike Pakistan’s compromised, pro-Taliban hyper-nationalist media and its choice of cranks and sellouts, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stood out in stark contrast.
And now for the misses: 1) While Bilawal touched on Balochistan and was far more sincere than Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan on this topic, it was not enough. We know that jaded politicians of the PML-N and the PTI only use the Baloch issue as a dishonest parallel for their aspirations against any substantive operations against the Taliban. But more was expected from Bilawal. As we speak, there is another operation going on in Balochistan and the PPP has failed to put a stop to it. 2) The most glaring omissions by Bilawal revolved around the atrocities committed by the allies of the Taliban. The ongoing campaign to target Shias was not mentioned even once — they constitute between 15-20 per cent of Pakistan’s population and many of them are loyal PPP voters. Similarly, there was no mention of the continuous persecution of Christians and Ahmadis in Pakistan. Or the rape and forced conversion of Hindu girls in Sindh — some by legislators affiliated with the PPP. Furthermore, Bilawal should have also mentioned the sacrifices of thousands of Pashtuns against the Taliban, especially the anti-Taliban Pashtun tribal chiefs and lashkars. 3) Bilawal should have also condemned the targeted killings of polio health workers all over Pakistan, given the positive contributions in this regard by Shaheed Mohtarma and now Aseefa.
The potential that millions of us were hoping for was there for all to see in the dying daylight at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh — a potential that promises a better tomorrow.
Riaz Malik
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2012.
