The election of Sadiq Khan as mayor of London reflects political sagacity and maturity of those who voted for him. Sadiq son of an immigrant bus driver studied law and was a human rights lawyer who earned respect of community and got elected as Labor MP from London constituency Tooting in 2005 and later became Minister for Communities and Transport under Gordon Brown. His devotion, community services and integrity won hearts and minds of citizens, which made it possible for him to defeat a wealthy Conservative Zac Goldsmith, in an election campaign where opposition launched a smear campaign maligning him of links with extremists.
Sadiq Khan has always been proud of his humble background and unlike Zac Goldsmith is not a millionaire. There are numerous Pakistani politicians, children of poor parents, who have gone from rags to riches by involving in crime and corruption. Unlike Sadiq Khan these novae rich Pakistani politicians, with assets located abroad and numerous offshore accounts, lack any credibility or political standing. In Pakistan the son of a Pakora seller from Lahore’s walled city who owns hotels in Ireland, Scotland and Canada, minted billions as a minister, yet never paid substantial income tax, and has got his surety forfeited in numerous elections.
What people of Pakistan have forgotten is that founding fathers of Pakistan, both Alama Iqbal and Quaid e Azam, were very educated, self made men, who were able to achieve for themselves a place in history through commitment, character and integrity, unlike political traders tarnished with multiple scams who dominate our political horizon, and under whose watch Pakistan has become economically bankrupt, with rampant corruption and unchecked bribery facilitating terrorism, and a haven for land mafia dons.
Malik Tariq Ali
Lahore