STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Malik Meraj Khalid was a political stalwart in Pakistani politics. He held high offices during Z A Bhutto’s government and under Benazir Bhutto. He became the interim Prime Minister in 1996-97 after the sacking of 2ndBenazir government. He was forced out of office by BB for calling out Asif Zardari’s blatant corruption. He had a close circle of friends who frequented Shezan restaurant in Dyal Singh Mansions on Mall Road, Lahore. My dear friend, former Vice President Punjab University Union, Rashid Butt was extremely close to him.
Rashid Butt was a diehard Bhutto supporter. He played a pivotal role in PPP’s formative days. As a student leader he held memorable events in Lahore to launch and endear Mr. Bhutto amongst the vibrant youth seeking to end Ayub Khan’s dictatorship. Rashid and I were politically opposed, yet our strong bond of friendship overcame that. We respected each other’s view and created space for it. Our circle of friends was common and Zahid Gardezi, our colleague in the union, would jokingly call us the “odd couple”. The icing on the cake was that Javed Hashmi, a young firebrand then, was the General Secretary with us. I made sure we joined hands when it came to the welfare of our students.
I met Malik sb on numerous occasions with Rashid,including visits to his humble abode, an apartment off Mall Road. He was a man of the people promoting literacy among the youth. A pleasant person with a charming smile, while chain smoking, he would share his stories and wisdom over a cup of tea. His close friend Rana Umar Daraz and Malik sb would exchange barbs that send us into ripples of laughter. Rana sb’s son, Rana Javed Umar is like a younger brother to me. He is a PTI ticket holder, thus in hiding to avoid the atrocities of this fascist regime.
Fast forward to late nineties when Malik sb took over as interim Prime Minister. I was then President PTI, Punjab. It was decided by our Central Executive that our Chairman Imran Khan should call on the PM. I was able to organize it through Rashid Butt. We met him at his Islamabad residence. It was a pleasant meeting in which a lot was discussed, but nothing substantive. As we were departing Malik sb took me aside. He said “Hafeez I really respect IK, he is national icon. I have done social work all my life so I really admire the efforts he has made in setting up Shaukat Khanum hospital.” I thanked him and said I will convey his feelings.
What he said next still rings in ears. He continued “Politics is a pit of alligators; you should know that. What have you guys gotten him into? IK is a gentleman, honest, and straightforward. Please look after him, these carnivores will eat him alive.” I was speechless and silent during our return ride home. IK has proved Malik sb wrong. He has taken on these blood thirsty alligators for 27 years and pinned them to the wall. Despite all the parties ganging up against him, they could not dent the love and affection that Pakistanis have for IK. However as the new realities emerge, it is clear that all these leaders are really sheep in wolves clothing. The real alligators are those who pull the strings of this spineless and corrupt mafia driven by their selfish motives and personal gains.
With the departure of PDM government, the real intent of those wielding the stick is coming out. Zardaris, Sharifs and Fazal were disposable tools to be discarded after being used. This coterie succeeded to neutralize the sword of Damocles hanging over them for past corruption. However they polluted the well that quenches a politiciansthirst; the strength of their political base. No wonder Shahbaz Sharif can’t stop professing his undying devotion and love for the uniforms; he has no options.
A picture is worth more than a thousand words. There is a cartoon in prestigious New York Times depicting a five-seater head table. The name plates show Pakistan Government, military, parliament, courts and media. All the seats are occupied by uniformed generals. That is the reality today. Let us not mince words. Government is headed by a lackey who will look at GHQ even if he wants to sneeze. Military is headed by an ambitious, ruthless tyrant with pretentions of intellect. Bootlicking parliament is gone after passing over 70 laws in 30 days; all intended to empower this interim government. Elections are turning out to be an unachievable pipe dream.
CEC is an errand boy for the powerful. Courts have been rendered toothless. Their orders are not worth the paper they are written on; flouted openly. Imran Khan is languishing in sub-human conditions being denied access to his lawyers, a decent meal, and any meaningful human contact. CJ Islamabad before whom this matter is pending has lost his marbles waiting for his next directions. Avibrant media has been relegated to a thumb-sucking baby, speaking as directed by ISPR.
In all this reality, the valiant champions of democracy in the West maintain their deafening silence. Guardians of human right have lost their ability to see and hear. Pakistanis are watching all this and fuming over it. Beware the day when their feelings turn into froth and we witness virulent anti-west sentiment rising to the top. It will take decades to overcome that.
