Pakistan

We can all be Mandelas

Haider Ali July 17, 2010

LAHORE: This is with reference to Mahreen Khan’s article “We can all be Mandelas” (July 17). We’re bad at making comparisons. Nelson Mandela cannot be compared with our politicians. Mandela is a supporter of democratic rights who endured 27 years in prison to remove apartheid from South Africa. Our government doesn’t have a single person who can match his mettle. Instead of struggling for the people’s emancipation, the way Mandela did, our politicians are suppressing poor Pakistanis. The repercussions of the government’s corruption, bad policy decisions, and legal transgressions are experienced by the middle and lower middle class. Until socio-economic disparity is reduced, and our politicians take a leaf out of Mandela’s book to persevere for peoples’ rights, prosperity will remain illusive.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (5)

cmsarwar | 14 years ago | Reply @SharifL.Thanks for your additional observations.India's advantage is that Nehru was their first Prime Minister and for a very long time.He had enough time to establish clear directions for his nation.Jinnah was taken over by his illness and could do little for a problem-ridden new nation.Therefore,I would not pass any judgements on his performance.His policy speeches ,however,clearly indicate that he had the vision of a democratic,secular and progressive Pakistan where all her citizens would be provided with security and dignity.Early in our life we were taken over by Ayub Khan and the forces of oppression that he represents.Bhutto was his product .He used roti,kapra and makan to establish his own version of people's rule.Ziaul Haq produced Nawaz Sharif and MQM.So,our country never passed through a process of normal political growth like India.I agree with SharifL that our choices in Pakistan are very limited.But I give him my full support for his very enlightened views.

SharifL | 14 years ago | Reply Of course I meant And these parties I support are not my ideal, just better than others

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

SharifL | 14 years ago | Reply SMSarwar, I was just making a comparison. Whereas Nehru and other Congress leaders talked about eradicating poverty, Jinnah didn't. We all know the good points about him, but he was anything but perfect. He had only landlord friends and was anything but democratic. Once he dismissed a minister without even talking to the then Prime minister. He behaved like a viceroy. Yes, Bhutto's slogan was with little substance, but at least he addressed the real issues of average Pakistanis. I think most of the poor still vote for PPP for that reason alone. I am not defending him. What I am saying is we should learn to remain balanced in our opinions. Even today, I prefer PPP, MQM or ANP and oppose MLN, because MSL wants Islamic laws and sharia. Secularism is what will help Pakistan. And these parties I support are my ideal, just better than others.

cmsarwar | 14 years ago | Reply @ShaifL. Sir,I admire you for your straight talk.What you tell us about Jinnah is news.Tell us more.The gentleman who invented the slogan of roti,kapra and makan was also a landlord and a friend of the rich landlords.So,where do we go? Please help and guide us.

SharifL | 14 years ago | Reply With due respect to Mndela, you must know that in SA, the unemployment is nearly 40% of the blacks. Most of the poor are still hungry. Only whites and Indian are doing well. mandela forgave whites for the sins, but did not help the poor. It is not all black and white, the way you say it. I know SA and can tell you a thing or two. We all like to make holy cows of some and mudslinging for the rest. Jinnah was also a friend of the rich landlords and never bothered to talk about the removal of poverty, like Roti kapra and makan.

Replying to X