I do not quite agree with your editorial of 5th April that Z A Bhutto was a man of vision. He was charismatic and a good speaker, but if we recall the acts that made him popular and eventually a leader clearly show that he miserably lacked vision.
Did he know that his refusal to sit in opposition in NA in Dacca would lead to breaking Pakistan? Did he know that tearing up the UNSC resolution is a highly un-diplomatic act? Did he know that using abusive language at a public rally in Qaddafi Stadium was a highly un-parliamentary thing to do? Throwing up tens of microphones off the rostrum while losing temper and turning emotional at a public rally was an indecent thing to do for a political leader?
His administration and handling of his opponents in jail was a king-like action and he called himself a democratic leader? He was rash and uncouth. He gave ‘73 Constitution because he was a lawyer from Berkeley. He made Islamic Summit because he travelled to each country and met the heads of the government and states in a hurricane tour. Basically, He was vindictive. He could not stand opposition. He nationalised industry and banks without any second thoughts. The growth in the country was almost stalled because of his policies. He deserted his comrades, except those who continued to serve his purposes or who were doubtful in character in person.
He rigged and then lost ‘77 election. The then SC convicted him of murder and he was hanged. Now, we have people who sing his songs for their own benefits. The current PPP has nothing to give to people except the ‘martyrdom’ of Bhuttos. Had they something basic like food, jobs, industrial security, some kind of shelter, public safety, control of street crimes and the like to offer, they could have spoken about these things. Benazir Income Support Programme, billions of subsidies in power sector which they telecast in a ‘paid content’, NFC award, 18th, 19th and 20th amendments etc do not satisfy a common man as he hardly understands them.
Rhetoric like ‘shaheeds’ etc looks as useless as it can be. Public defiance of SC orders and judgments hardly can win them public loyalty. One last thing I want to say. People are not fools. Hunger, deprivation, price-hike, non availability of essentials, lack of medicare, education, pitched street battles in Karachi etc are extremely painful pangs for a person, particularly when it comes to his or her children.
AMJAD H MIRZA
Lahore
