Makhdoom Ahmad Mahmud – the artful badger
Kissinger had initially been allied with Nelson Rockefeller, who had lost the Republican nomination to Nixon. In the midst of the 1968 US Presidential election, Henry Kissinger made a phone call to Richard Nixon’s team and offered the Nixon camp valuable inside information. The Nixon team gladly accepted his offer. At the same time, however, Kissinger also approached the Democratic nominee, Hubert Humphery, and promised him inside information of the Republican bloc. In return, Kissinger got what he wanted: the promise of a high level cabinet post from both Nixon and Humphery. Whichever man won the election, Kissinger’s career was secure.
By accepting the governorship of Punjab, Makhdoom Ahmad Mahmud achieved what his father, Makhdoon Hasan Mahmood could not. The closest Hasan Mahmood ever got was in 1985 when the then Pir of Pagaro, Syed Shah Mardan Shah II, nominated his name for Punjab’s chief ministership. However, when Gen Jillani succeeded in securing Takht-e-Lahore for Nawaz Sharif, Pir Pagara said, “I cannot fight a pickpocket running away with my wallet, but I’ll follow him until he gets exhausted and throws it away.” It seems that the wallet of the late spiritual leader of the Hurs was recovered when Asif Zardari offered governorship to Hasan Mahmood’s son.
It is interesting to note that the mothers of the incumbent Pir Pagara, Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi, former Speaker and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, former Federal Minister Tasneem Nawaz Gardezi are Makhdoom Hasan Mahmood’s sisters, and thus Ahmad Mahmud aunts. Of what’s left, Ahmad Mahmud’s estranged brother-in-law, Jehangir Tareen, is now an integral part of the PTI.
Ahmad Mahmud has been elected to the provincial assembly and national assembly three times each. Two of his sons, who are also member of the parliament, thanks to his investment in Jamal Din Wali, Mahmud’s ancestral village, hardly know what it means to represent the will of the people. Moreover, Mahmud got Abdul Qadir Gilani elected unopposed as a member of the Punjab Assembly from a seat he vacated after the 2008 elections.
However, despite all his wealth in Rahim Yar Khan, all of Ahmad Mahmud’s cousins were politically senior to him, until our mustache twirling president played a masterstroke of Machiavellian politics on Thursday.
Zardari’s genius has enormously altered the politics of Punjab and gave new hope to the demoralised workers of PPP, who had mentally accepted defeat in the upcoming general elections. Mahmud’s appointment sent a message to the Saraiki speaking populace of South Punjab that PPP was serious about incising the province. Moreover, reminiscing Makhdoom Hassan Mahmood’s jovial relationship with the then Nawab of Bahawalpur, Mahmud’s appointment is an assurance to the incumbent Nawab, whom the PPP has already won, that Bahawalpur’s demands will not be overlooked.
While the PPP is rejoicing, PML-N’s misery seems never ending. With Imran Khan’s tsunami in central Punjab and PPP’s pro-Saraiki province stance in Southern Punjab, Nawaz Sharif suffers with continued dilemma as it will be difficult for him to wholly reject or welcome the appointment of Makhdoom Ahmud Mahmud. Rebuffing Mahmud’s selection will only give birth to new enemies in the already alienated Seraiki belt. On the other hand, accepting Mahmud’s appointment would mean the acceptance of a pro-PPP interim setup.
Mahmud, by maintaining a little distance, has thrived in times when the relationship between PPP and PML-N is turbulent. His aloofness has proved to be powerful and now everyone wants him on their side.
In France’s July revolution of 1830, after three days of riots, the statesman Talleyrand, now elderly, sat by his Paris window, listening to pealing bells that signaled the riots were over. Turning to an assistant, he said, “Ah, the bells! We are winning”. “Who’s ‘we’, mon prince?” the assistant asked. Gesturing for the man to keep quiet, Talleyrand replied, “Not a word! I’ll tell you who ‘we’ are tomorrow.”
Mahmud’s Talleyrand-esque ways have been a roaring success.
The writer is a staff member at Pakistan Today, and can be reached at [email protected]
excellent read.
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We are you and me only — the smartest …
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Love the Saroop-esque way in which you wrote this piece.
Excellent end and start to a brilliant article. For Asif Zardari and his cronies : Habib Jalib “Jo shakhs tum se pehle yahan takht nasheen tha/ Usko bhi Khuda hone pe itna hi yaqeen tha”
In this feudalistic Pakistan, by removing PPP waderas in Sindh by the biggest wadera of Pakistan, Pir Sahib Pagara, rural Sindhis will not get any CHANGE and in fact be worse off. If you wanna save common people of Pakistan, please wake up and stop feudals in the form of Pirs, Makhdooms, Nawabs and Sardars.This is a desperate move by PPP.Such dramas will continue till elections from all parties including PPP,PMLN, PTI included.Unfortunate will be the sistuation if either wins because of such wheelings dealings.Merit shopuld not take a back seat.
Feudal were replaced by neo feudals, i.e, Landed feudals by Industrial feudals, through out the world. Only the face and the source of income of the exploiter has changed, the ways of the oppressor has just evolved over the period. just pray that ours become as good as they are in the west! TC.
Thank God that Makhdoom was the only casualty of the end of the Mayan calendar.
And i was wondering is there any pride left in these politicians??? Why for just 3-4 months of Governorship would one betray his affiliations and political ideals (if there is anything as such)…?? But then maybe its a big enough time to exploit fullest in a poor country like ours… these leaders have exhausted their discretionary fund and are seeking another 10 billions within this short time ….… its worth for these conscience sellers…
Sadly in Pakistan, we can find many willing to sell their souls and honor for petty benefits!
@Sael Abbas Rizvi
3 to 4 months of governorship? Governors will stay on for at least till the President is there. Three months are left for assemblies but the governor stays on! He is here for good and shall be there in the interim setup too.
Also, it must be kept in mind that N-league wont go against his appointment…..
Thank God, he is gone. Saraikis like him are curse to Saraiki "kaum". They never do anything when they are in power. He even did not issue monetary grant to establish a school or hospital in D G Khan. Same will be done be upcoming governor. SHame on all of them.
Also these people are corrupt and related to each other with weddings etc its a vicious circle and don’t expect any change no matter who comes- only possible is blood revolution lead and executed by people on the streets
Who is gone? Makhdoom just got installed as the Guv of Punjab and no where it says he is gone. Guv's role in provinces is always political and nothing should be expected from them . All Guv's are lame ducks to start with.
@Sael Rizvi
The catch here was that Mehmood will have to withdraw his long-standing stance of the restoration of Bahawalpur province in exchange for the post
So each has a price which differs with personalities.
@Zkhan
Mahmuds appointment shows how he deserted Bahawalpur nationalists and their Bahawalpur counterparts who been united under the umbrella of Pir Pagara. Pir's self-centered cousin cousins would be there to convince Pir Pagaro to rejoin allinace with PPP.
I also dont mind even if PPP rules 10 or 20 years… considering if it performs well and provide the comfort to its citizen and make decision only in the best interest of Pakistan and not from their political interest.
Does it call democracy where father, son, daughter, mother, brother-in-law or what not comes into power day in and out, where turns are made by the political parties.
What does these political parties have given Pakistan so far if the rule of Army has not given anything to Pakistan? Name anything that has benefitted Pakistan and its people directly?
Just blaming others to hide your own incompetence is simply stupid – Not even people understands it but you will be anwerable to Allah as well 🙂
This is soo Epic Koshal!!!
A fairly twisted point of view … but its yours to keep 😉
reads well enuff. I guess it is very difficult to analyze the mindless and filthy politics of "chors" (roberrer) of Pakistani people
@Bobby
Makhdoom mahmud's naïveté is simply mind boggling. He shudnt have accepted the offer. its only for3-4 months!!!!
@SK
Be decent! Your views are the cause of problems in Pakistan
This is purely politics of opportunism. Pakistan needs change, a healthy change in politicking. PMLF’s clear stance is also laudable as they asked Mr.Ahmed Mahmood to resign as PMLF Punjab President in case he goes against party policy. PMLF and progressive Sindhi nationalists should make political alliance to bring change in the governance.
it will be administatively good if new provinces are created from Punjab but the buck would not stop here as for sure Sindh, Baluchistan and NWFP too will be divided. Zardari should realize this as people sitting in glass houses should not throw stones on others.
Mahmud and khosa will both go in the dust bin of history!!!
@Pervaiz
Can't agree any more with you.
This is how you buy makhdooms.They are available in landa bazaar.This is the market Tehreek Insaf plans to close.This is the CHANGE.
Mate most of you information is wrong or maybe you didn't get it properly. Makhdoom Ahmad mehmoods father WAS a cheif minister of the than Province of Bahawalpur and Makhdoom Ahmad does not contest elections with any of his cousins, his rivalry is with the Makhdoom of Mianwali Qureshian. PML-N will suffer that is the only part I agree with. Finally I hate to be a devils advocate but PTI doesn't stand a chance in southern punjab, I guarantee you that.
Khosa resigned before he was helped out with khoosas. He was like friggin Alice in Wonderland, living in a mansion that was too big for him to fully explore. I hope Zardari is also led out of power with many Zardis and welcomed into jail with heavy hathkaris.
@author
Makhdoom only became Gov. becoz his dad wanted him to become one . In his own wordss…." ‘my father wanted to see me [as the] governor of Punjab".
@Ibtesam. I agree with you, Mr. Rana needs to write on a more regular basis as well. Too good.
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