Power Failure – Pakistani politics through Abida Hussain’s lens

“Power Failure” presents the autobiographical account of Syeda Abida Hussain’s life. Her story is intertwined with that of Pakistani politics. The book is a narrative of not just the author’s personal life, but also the key political events that have shaped the country.

Published under the guidance of Amina Syed, and the umbrella of OUP, the book was launched on Friday at Alhamra Arts Council. The ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including former foreign minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri and renowned author Ahmed Rashid.

Those present at the event lauded Hussain’s work and termed it a genuine piece of writing, as opposed to the ongoing trend of ghost writers breathing life into the author’s story through their words.

Hussain, a renounced politician, is a woman of many talents. Apart from her work in the political sphere, she is also a horse and cattle breeder, agriculturist, and diplomat.

Commenting on the book Hussain said, “Writing ‘Power Failure’ was an exciting experience and the initial response to it has been heart warming. I feel my life has always been inextricably linked with that of my country and I wouldn’t have liked it any other way. I hope the young will read my book and savour it.”

Her narrative begins with a chapter on her privileged childhood, her entry into politics and the hurdles and struggles she faced in the male-dominated society of rural Punjab. She has also shed some light on the regressive elements in Pakistan, as well as the prevailing inequality of the country’s social construct.

Hussain writes in her book about her first taste of politics.

“In February of 1972, I took oath as Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) of Punjab, and felt somewhat vindicated when people came from Jhang to say to me that they were glad that the light of my father’s home would keep glowing and its doors would remain open. I realised that not only would my father’s path be a hard one to follow, many censorious eyes would also monitor every move I made.”

Indeed, Hussain had broken a great many barriers as she took the helm as MNA. She had the distinction of being the first woman to chair the district council of Jhang, and the first woman to be popularly elected as the MNA. She is furthermore known for her work as an active proponent of Education for All¸ gender equality and sectarian harmony.

Some moments have been described extremely candidly. Hussain’s close encounters with politicians, industrialists, bureaucrats and social activists have shaped her book’s narrative. The pages record events that resonated with her throughout her career. Over the course of the 697 pages lies a 40-year-long political journey.

In Upheaval she writes about PPP’s seeming decline in the face of PNA.

“The PNA campaign went on gaining momentum and political commentators started asserting that although the PPP would win the election, Z.A. Bhutto was not going to have the walkover which everyone had earlier expected,” Hussain writes.

“I followed the campaign through the newspapers since Pakistan Television (PTV) showed only the rallies of the PPP candidates, but it was more by word of mouth that we heard about the growing cavalcades of the PNA and the decline of the PPP. I continued to have mixed feelings and dreaded having to return to Jhang with no role to play in the elections,” she adds.

Hussain has several other interesting things to write about some current players in the political arena as well. She recalls in her book, “Nawaz Sharif asked me why I did not put up a sugar mill in this area. I answered that my late father had advised that were I to pursue politics, it would be prudent not [to] attempt business ventures, as these could lead me into a conflict of interest, as a representative of the people.”

However, a conflict of interest didn’t seem to bother the current premier as much as it bothered Hussain. She continues, “Nawaz Sharif clearly opted not to understand the import of what I attempted to gently convey. He then asked me if I had any reservations about him setting up a sugar mill in this area. And within two years Ramzan Sugar Mill was installed near Bhowana.”

The book continues to twist and turn as it drums out key moments from Pakistan’s political history. From current political heavyweights to the ghosts of Pakistan’s past leadership, Hussain has managed to put together rich content that is both gripping and hard hitting.