PPP is the only party for the working class
These are, indeed, interesting times. If our own existential war, and those of our friends – like the Saudis in Yemen – were not enough, there are political tsunamis that are snowballing. The judicial commission, for example, which has kicked up quite the storm. Now the election will be probed, and there’s no telling where things can go. For the longest time, most analysts agreed that the ruling party would never agree to the commission, primarily because it would expose large scale vote fraud. And the more the matter lingered the more such rumours gained weight. And then, suddenly, the government agreed. With only a little more than a month before the commission comes out with its findings, and players like Imran Khan predicting elections later in the year, where does that leave other major political parties.
DNA talked exclusively to PPP stalwart Jahangir Badar to make sense of the situation. He’s not only one of the party’s senior players, but was also initially placed close to heir apparent Bilawal, which makes his analysis all the more important, especially considering the cross-currents within the party.
Question: Do you think parliament really settled the matter about Yemen? Why was there need for ‘damage control’? And what do you think Shahbaz has offered to calm the Saudis?
Jahangir Badar: Parliament has done its job; it has thoroughly discussed the issue and explained its conclusion. Whether or not the matter is decided as far as the government is concerned, they would be in a better position to explain. And as for Shahbaz, there is nothing really that he can offer the Saudis, especially when you consider what they are demanding at this time.
Q: Why was there a divergence in your views and that of your party leadership on the Yemen matter?
JB: No at all. There was no divergence. The Central Executive Committee held a detailed session which was chaired by Mr Asif Zardari himself. It deliberated upon the issue and unanimously came out with its decision, which was subsequently communicated to the media.
Q: What are your views on the matter of the judicial commission for the election probe? Do you see any grey areas that might be cause for concern not too far down the road?
JB: Look, the judicial commission is operative now so it’s best if such views are not aired for the moment at least. And remember politics is a very uncertain game in Pakistan. Our history, or any country’s for that matter, shows that uprisings can be triggered at any time. So there is no way of foreseeing such things. There is really no guarantee.
Nawaz has definitely thought this through. He is not childish nor does he indulge in politics of immaturity. He has made a few blunders in the past, but that much is accountable to human error
Q: PTI never explained what finally got both sides to agree on the Commission? What exactly, in your opinion, was it that finally got PTI and PML-N to agree?
JB: This is called politics under the carpet. They are playing with each other. It’s like eve teasing.
Q: Critics say Nawaz would never green-light a chain reaction that might undo his ‘heavy mandate’? What, in your opinion, will be the result of the Commission’s findings?
JB: Nawaz has definitely thought this through. He is not childish nor does he indulge in politics of immaturity. He has made a few blunders in the past, but that much is accountable to human error. So I wouldn’t say he has not calculated his move.
Q: What do you make of PPP’s ‘body language’? Is the trouble with Bilawal growing or, in your analysis, this is a usual matter and they have things under control?
JB: PPP has always held the interest of the country and its people supreme. That is why PPP is the voice of the people. I think such noise, especially in the press, is unnecessary. The entire PPP family is very disciplined and it is not worried about such news.
Q: Do you agree with PTI’s claim that this is the year of the election?
JB: Again, as I said, it is very difficult to call such things with certainty. PTI’s moves have played no small role in damaging the present government’s credibility, which was already suffering. But whether or not this year will be the year of the general election, there is really no way to tell with certainty.
Q: There was a very visible effort recently to resurrect PPP in Punjab, with Zardari sb himself taking a lot of interest. How successful has the effort been?
JB: The activities of a political party and the result-oriented expectations of the public are very different things, even though both are an integral part of politics. There is a difference between the responsibilities of the main leadership and organisational responsibilities of lower-tier operatives. Success, in such circumstances, depends on the effectiveness of such organisational structures. However, deciding the direction of the party lies with the leadership, which is what Zardari sb had in mind when he came to Punjab.
The activities of a political party and the result-oriented expectations of the public are very different things, even though both are an integral part of politics
Q: Is it true that some workers in PPP did not appreciate Zardari sb’s decision of ‘saving’ PML-N at the time of the dharna?
JB: This is a time honoured tradition within the PPP and an essential part of democratic tradition. Since the time of the party’s inception, during the times of ZAB and BB, party workers were always allowed and encouraged to voice their true opinion, no matter how much it differed with the leadership’s, so healthy democratic debates can be encouraged.
Even within the present setup, such tendencies have not been discouraged which, again, is healthy. As far as the decision on supporting the N-league is concerned, there were, of course, some differing opinions. But at the end of the day there conformity was achieved.
Q: Do you think former CJ Ch Iftikhar’s actions will make things any difficult for the judicial commission? For example, he wrote a letter to the national assembly speaker, etc. How complicated do you think the situation is?
JB: The Commission is a judicial entity with collective decision making power. I really don’t feel they would face any difficulty, especially when the chief justice himself is heading it. Concerns regarding the former CJ seem exaggerated.
Q: You are one of the party’s most loyal old guards. What, in your personal opinion, were some of the highest and lowest moments of PPP so far?
JB: The highest moment was no doubt on April 10, 1986, when BB led the biggest gathering the world had ever seen. And then she became the youngest prime minister in 1988. As far as ZAB is concerned, it was when he got Indira Gandhi to agree to releasing Pakistani POWs and land without conceding anything. The lowest point was, of course, when both were assassinated.
Q: If this is indeed the year of election, how do you expect PPP to perform, especially in Punjab where it seems in disarray?
JB: Politics, especially in Pakistan, is the science of repairs, with of course, the exception of major blunders. And PPP has not committed any major blunders. As things stand, the party is in a good position to make timely repairs. It can make compromises with like-minded groups with pro-people policies. There is no reason that PPP cannot reorganise and lead its people to victory, especially in Punjab.
What you see as problems and hurdles now will be swept away soon as politics is like rain and when it showers it cleans the dirt from leaves on the trees. And if politics is leveraged properly, it is possible to generate positive responses, as we do. Peoples Party remains the only party that truly represents the country’s working and it is the only party that matters.