Whither national interest: ‘Pakistan hasn’t had a visionary leader since ZA Bhutto’

Pakistan has never been in a more deplorable state, says Khar.

LAHORE: The judiciary, the army and the bureaucracy have to work together under the government to save Pakistan from the prevailing crises, speakers said at seminar on Power and Politics in Pakistan at the TECH Society Club on Sunday.

Former Punjab governor Ghulam Mustafa Khar and former federal minister Mubashar Hasan were the featured speakers at the seminar.

Dr Hasan said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became president of Pakistan with the help of Mustafa Khar, who had realised that General Yahya Khan planned to deny power to Mujeebur Rehman and then Bhutto. “Khar ensured a peaceful transfer of power in 1971,” he said.

According to a recent report, 415 Pakistanis had nearly $83 trillion in Swiss banks, said Dr Hasan. “The government must declare a ceasefire with the terrorists before it initiates a dialogue,” he said.

“A few hours with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was like studying for a month at Cambridge University,” said Khar, “Bhutto never made incorrect statements, for personal interest.” Pakistan has never been in a more deplorable state than it is today, said Khar. In the past Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan, spoke of the prosperity of the country... the situation had now changed because of mismanagement, malpractice and poor policies pursued by the governments, he said.

“Leaders of foreign countries used to visit Pakistan to seek help in framing their policies,” said Khar, “Today Pakistan’s foreign policy is being drafted in Washington.”

Nations are only reflections of their leaders, he said, “Only good leaders build great nations.”

“Pakistan has had only two visionary leaders- the Quaid-i-Azam and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,” Khar said. Neither Bhutto nor Yahya were responsible for the separation of East Pakistan, “Ayub Khan sowed the seed of dissent through his policies,” he said.

Pakistan’s downfall began after Bhutto’s government ended, Khar said. He said generals don’t seize power on their own. Rather they do so at the behest of foreign powers. “Those leaders who hesitate to frame policies in national interest out of fear of annoying super powers are not worthy of being called leaders,” he said.

There have always been corrupt officials in government. That has made Pakistan weak. “Politicians who lust for power and money and are afraid to die can never be successful rulers,” he said.

The problems Pakistan faces today are because of Ziaul haq. “His rule was the darkest period in our history,” he said.

People get tired of their rulers within three years irrespective of whether it is a military or a civilian government, he said. They start agitating and asking for change. “This must stop,” he said, “Public institutions are affected by frequent disruptions.” He said the cost of living could not be stooped from rising until politicians stopped spending millions on their campaigns.

“Justice for all is the greatest need of the hour,” he said.

Only a leader who wasn’t scared of opposition and of losing votes could build the Kalabagh Dam, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2013.