Poetic licence: A wordsmith steps on the political stage

Rahmat Shah Sail is contesting for NA-35 Malakand Agency on an ANP ticket.

PESHAWAR: His campaign stands out; his political speeches are embedded with poetic nuances, and well-loved verses. As poet Rahmat Shah Sail embarks on his political journey, he does it in his trademark eloquence.

A large number of people attend his public meetings, wishing to not only hear Sail but also his poetry which is themed around the Pukhtun struggle, rooted in the values of Pukhtunwali.

Contesting from the Awami National Party (ANP) platform as a contestant for NA-35 Malakand Agency, Sail is a first-time candidate but his affiliation with the ANP is not new. Since 2006, he has been the chief editor of Pakhtun magazine, a Bacha Khan Markaz (ANP provincial head office in Peshawar) publication.

Ilyas Khan from Sakhakot does not mind leaving his general store for some time to attend Sail’s gatherings because it gives him a chance to listen to his poetry about revolution; about a socio-political movement built around peace.

“I used to listen to his (Sail) audio tapes. I have also read his poetry books and now I get to listen to him live so often. He is a public figure in the area.”

Waqas Ali from Dargai has a shop in the same neighbourhood where Sail has a tailoring outlet.

“He (Sail) still tends to his tailoring shop, though only occasionally now due to his political engagements. But Sail is a popular figure. People follow him whenever he appears in the bazaar to get a moment with him.”

And that is precisely what strikes a chord with the locals – Sail is one of them.

Born in 1950 in Wartier, Dargai, Malakand Agency, Sail had to drop out of school in class three due to financial constraints. He had to help his father support their family of nine, including six sisters.

The poet is naturally gifted. Even without substantial formal education, Sail was able to master Pashto, and has a firm grasp of written and spoken Urdu.

The same spirit drives and shapes his political venture. The candidate is becoming increasingly more vibrant as he addresses an increasing audience close to elections.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Sail said, “I will show everyone that a person, who is not financially stable enough, can be a stable contester in the political arena.”

It is easy for Sail to trace out how he went from tailoring to poetry. As early as 15, he would be found experimenting with verses as he worked at the tailoring shop.

Appreciation from listeners encouraged Sail to hone his verses to a fine skill. Eventually the poet within him surfaced and he compiled several books, including Daweer pa chum ka war da naghmo (In the Valley of lament, an echoing melody)and Da lambo pa soori.

His recent verses speak of peace and development for Pukhtuns in the region. Sail maintains the soil is rich with various kinds of resources and identifies the need of the hour to be peace for Pukhtuns. This, in his opinion, will afford them an environment where development can take place.  “Real politics is to bring the nation at par with other nations of the world,” he asserts.

Other players in NA-35

Besides Sail, 10 other contestants are also in the run for the Malakand seat.

Various political forces have won this seat in the past, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA).

According to Imtiaz Ali Shah, who is familiar with local politics, currently the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) seems to be the major political force in Malakand while the ANP and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are not far behind in popularity.

“Youngsters have raised their voice for change and people want to try new faces in the next government,” Shah added.

Shah Zubair Khan, an elder of the area, said PPP leader Lal Muhammad Khan is also a strong contender from the constituency. Lal secured NA-35 in the 2008 elections with a huge margin.

JI candidate Maulana Inayatur Rehman won in the 2002 elections from an MMA ticket.

Sail has penned fresh material for the 2013 elections. An anthology of 11 poems circles around the theme of politics and elections. Here are some of his verses: 

Pe zra chaodon me da gul ghundi khanda kre da,

Mata de khpal watan bala khokolo dua kre da.

In blossoming like a flower, I have smiled with pathos

For, the prayers of the people of my land, has reduced my agony

Da vote ow note soda kho mata nawy kufar khkari,

Na me da khpel na me da bal da sar sauda kre da.

This lucrative barter (buying votes) is a newer infidelity

Neither will be sold, nor have others traded

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2013.