Tyranny of President Zardari
By Sameer Shaharyar • Sep 6th, 2008 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • 19 CommentsPresident of Pakistan with unlimited powers, Co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party, Commander in chief of the armed forces, Manipulator of Prime Minister. Moreover, Asif Ali Zardari has got his loyal and trusted cronies at all the top posts of the country, and he virtually controls all the institutions in bureaucracy, judiciary, parliament and has got his firm grip on the affairs of the state.
Pakistan People’s Party has got the majority in the parliament and with the aid of JUI-F, PPP-Sherpao, MQM, FATA members, BNP, and many independent members. How PPP came to converge all this disparate elements under one roof is not a surprise or something rocket science because such stormy games have been played by the establishment before and people still remember the engulfing storm of IJI and the two-third majority of PML-N to quote just couple of examples, and such majority supports gets vaporized with the flick of the moment, when the king makers want them to splinter.
But now PPP has got that majority and they have obtained the control of virtually every power sector in the country. The danger is that now power will get to the head of Zardari and his acolytes and that would be extremely dangerous to the freedom of the people. The intoxicated power would be enjoyed at the expense of the common people and liberty would be denied to the individuals like Dr. Qadeer and Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary.
Pakistan needs stability, and there is no doubt about that, but stability shouldn’t and mustn’t be coming at the cost of surrendering our rights in a democratic societ. The power has been passed into the hands of Asif Ali Zardari by the people through a democratic process and he hasn’t violated any law, though it’s another debate about his moral eligibility to become the president of Pakistan in the presence of the disgusting National Reconciliation Ordinance and his consistent abrogation of the agreements and promises with the nation and with his former coalition partners.
But the time has come, when we as a people have to see beyond Zardari and other personalities. We have to rise above them. We must cease to take it for granted that it a necessity of nature that our leaders should be an independent blind power, we must challenge their actions. We must stand up and ask questions. We must discuss it among ourselves. We must beat it to death every actions of our rulers. They must not even blink their eyes without our notice. We have to execute our own mandate.
Trackback URL
|
|
|
Click For More Articles By Sameer Shaharyar
All posts by Sameer Shaharyar
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Sameer, you yourself admit that, “The power has been passed into the hands of Asif Ali Zardari by the people through a democratic process and he hasn’t violated any law” then why this untimely accusations. Let the man prove his ‘tyranny’ and then we’ll see. Instead of ringing the alarm bell (false alarm - I might add!), why not raise the white flag, for a change, and let our new President prove his worthiness for this office.
Aftab Bhai, would you say the same, if it was someone else?
An unqualified YES!
Sir, I have said it many times before that I DO NOT CONSIDER any of them honest and straight, if I have any issue with Musharraf, that is he should have played the ‘real’ tyran, the cold blooded dictator and got us rid of all such charcters in our public life. Let us say he did many a wrongs to us, another few more would not make him any better or us any worse. This would have done a great cleansing job and some nicer people would be there in politics. But that is another matter.
Yes, if that “someone” really had as many seats and memebers etc. and wished to be whatever, I would be just as ’supportive’ as am for his ‘joker’ - however, since we are talking about the democratic process, I am wiling to live this guy and let him prove us all wrong.
Respects.
I am unable to understand the controversy.
At one end Mr. Zardari is entering the souvenir office by almost validated stamp of authority of almost all political forces throughout the country whereas at the other perspective he is enjoying the absolute majority of the majority in the form of mandate by the peephole and people of Pakistan.
People shall realize a basic law before assuming and accusing some one of the reservation regarding their untoward or reserving thoughts.
In every such requirement and induction for such public cum executive appointments, mandatory and prerequisite criteria are to qualify the entry by the prescribed syllabi of the state recruitment policy as eligibility and ineligibility.
One of the requirement of such eligibility requisite is to submit and produce a record of criminal offence, if at all to the authorities and clearance report duly signed by the local authorities endorsing that subject was never involve in any litigation in terms of criminal offence and anti state activity.
After qualification rest paraphernalia’s are of little strength and means, though have stagnant weightage as property, taxes, health and blab bla.
If such mandatory requisite are fulfilled duly no authority can challenge the writ of credibility in terms of persons profile and every such slogans of acts are always perceived and taken as bias, and political rift with personnel grievances against the individual.
Under such significant authoritative and sole exemplary unanimously own verdict of populace at large and leaders as platform ,Mr zardari has unique presentation of achievement and is to be own and second as obedience by people like me or mr sameer shehryar.
Let’s see till when he abide by to his oath of President
Heartiest Congratulations Mr. President
from Pakistani Canadian
Congratulaion Mr. Asif Ali Zardari being elected as president, with absolute majority, I am sure the elected members have made a wise and practical decision, we trust your wisdom. I am happy this will result positive toward democracy, and future of Pakistan. I also congratulate the Pakistani nation and my friends, now he deserve our full support and respect as President of Pakistan, leave the past behind, make President feel comfortable, trustworthy, competent and I am sure he is capable of delivering it. God willing
Do your best Mr. President we are all behind you !
I have now stopped my campaign against the election of Zardari as the president of Pakistan. Now that he has been elected as president through a democratic process I recognise and accept him as my President and President of Pakistan. We have no other option despite the folk wisdom such as:
A leopard doesn’t change its spot.
A MOMEN doesn’t get bitten from the same hole twice
Azmooda ra azmoodan jahal ast and
Chore chori say jaiy ga magar hara phari say nahi jay ga
Genes do not change etc etc
If you come to think of it the guy has lot of plus points under the shadow of his negative points. It is his tainted past which makes one wary of his leadership. He now has an opprtunity to use his potential in a positive manner and lead this nation, which has placed its trust in him, to glory and thus leave his name to be written in golden letters in our history books.
I reckon he may well prove to be the best President that we ever had or the worst that we are ever going to have. He won’t be in between.
Let us give him a chance to prove his worth keeping a close eye on what he does or doesn’t do. If he fails to meet the nations expectation we can try to get rid of him. It will be easier to get rid of him than it was to get rid of Mush.
Mr. President what other ambition you can have now that you have evry thing except to create a name for yourself in the history of Pakistan as the saviour of Pakistan. I assure you the whole nation will support you in this since its own survival depends on your fulfilment of this ambition. Mr President move in the right direction and be known as Quaid e Pakistan or Quaid e Jamhooriat whichever you may like to be called.
Kabir Das, good to see your note of ‘allegiance’ and support; that’s the way to go. I was, rather, concerned about your choice of a ‘road’ for our journey ahead. If I may recall, you almost ‘threatened’ choosing ‘Taliban’ from the ‘unfortunately’ limited choice between Asif Zardari and Talibans. I am glad you opted for the former as the later would be a disaster. You know what I am talking about, one at least has taken the route through the elected bodies, while the other does not even pretend any respect for the public, public opinion, right to dissent, right to speak, or any such fancy ideas. In case of Zardari’s ‘delinquency’ we will be free to call him anything we like and force him out (as people just did!) ; in other case we will be so terrorized and so horrified into silence that there will be neither desire to ‘dissent’ nor courage to speak out.
Yes, indeed, your choice is a good choice and I am whole heartedly with you.
I really like to believe in the goodness of people though knowing too well that human character does not change. Events in life have thought me a few things, and I am never surprised anymore. Asif Ali Zardari being elected as the new President of Pakistan comes as no surprise to any of us and we should accept this. Yes, he should be given a chance to lead, though he as been know as a liar and has a history deceit and corruption.
The question remains if character of the new president of Pakistan will change in the process for the betterment of the nation?
What I would like to share with you all here is what is the difference between a pathological, compulsive, chronic, and a habitual liar.
“Pathological Liar
A pathological liar is usually defined as someone who lies incessantly to get their way and does so with little concern for others. Pathological lying is often viewed as coping mechanism developed in early childhood and it is often associated with some other type of mental health disorder. A pathological liar is often goal-oriented (i.e., lying is focused - it is done to get one’s way). Pathological liars have little regard or respect for the rights and feelings of others. A pathological liar often comes across as being manipulative, cunning and self-centered.
Compulsive Liar
A compulsive liar is defined as someone who lies out of habit. Lying is their normal and reflexive way of responding to questions. Compulsive liars bend the truth about everything, large and small. For a compulsive liar, telling the truth is very awkward and uncomfortable while lying feels right. Compulsive lying is usually thought to develop in early childhood, due to being placed in an environment where lying was necessary. For the most part, compulsive liars are not overly manipulative and cunning (see, Pathological Liar), rather they simply lie out of habit - an automatic response which is hard to break and one that takes its toll on a relationship.
The terms Habitual Liar and Chronic Liar are often used to refer to a Compulsive Liar.”
Above definitions taken from http://www.truthaboutdeception.com/
Very nice participation from every body on this post. Yes, I also welcome this new change because it is democratic change and we must support constitutional actions.
Asif Ali Zardari is no doubt very talented and he has proved in past but now it is a final round for him and his party. This PPP has no excuse left to address public problem and national issues. He should use his wisdom to tackle each and every issue on parallel basis. People can’t hear that Government is unable to control prices because they have to stop terrorism first, and such kind of lame excuses.
Jiyay Bhutto, Jiyay Bhutto can survive for only couple of weeks more. Now it is a time for practical implementation of their plans to eradicate poverty, controlling terrorism and bringing harmony in the country at each level.
Asif Ali Zardari is a politician and can give direction to government, if sincerity and dedication is there. He is free from other tensions, as President Musharraf had from last 2 years. So it is the final round for him to do or to drown its party.
I must appreciate every political party, that they are united on one thing at least i.e. Keeping Government and democracy strong. People are really in severe pain due to shortage of every thing in the country. Government should think about it.
God Bless Pakistan and It’s loving people.!
Saleem Khan Sahib, you are right we must support the election of Asif Zardari as per the constitutional frame work. Asif Ali Zardari might or might not be very talented; what I am a little surprised about is our willingness to let him play a role which is hardly assigned to the presidency. In the parliamentry democracy, which we are, the president is head of the state with cerimonial duties. It seems to me strange, although in Pakistani political scene rules hardly matter, that instead of asking repeal of the 17th Constitutional Amendment and taking away all the powers that Musharraf had which were thought to be non-democratic. I would think that it is necessary that there must be a detailed debate in the parliament and be decided how strong president should allowed to be and how strong the prime minister.
With our this attitude the new president will, naturally, prefer retaining all the powers that his predecessor enjoyed and once he settles down it would become, rather, hard to achieve this. Please, comment.
Dear Aftab Bhai,
Thanks. You are very right that there should be unbiased debate in Assembly as well as among intellectuals of this country. We should decide now after 61 years that what kind of government we need to run the country and what should be the check and balances. Unfortunately we are still in vicious cycle of this 58-2B or 17th Constitutional Amendment. There is a constant war between Assemblies and President office on this 58-2B article since 1980’s. Every time People’s of Pakistan got effected, and still this sword is here.
I can not support such assembly on whom there is no check and balance and I can not suggest to make President so strong that he can use such amendments on the basis of personal likes and dislikes. There should be some sort of equality in between. Otherwise Marshal Laws are not very far, rather GHQ is shifting to Islamabad very soon
Haathioon Ki Larai Main Chuintian He Marti Hain… Same is the case with our public. Every time, the tension effects only Poor people of this country. Politicians should learn some thing from Western politics and do some thing good for the nation. Really, people are now helpless. They can’t think beyond 2 Roti and a glass of water. Let others to do work, if he is keen to work for poor.
In reply to comments by Talal Hussain Malik on my fresh column, tilted “Now…..NO MORE”….I wrote my opinion and thought it will be relevant to copy it in this discussion corner.
Talal sahib! Lets give some grace months to Mr. AZ. As an optimist, I will not criticize AZ before seeing his performance. I also believe, humans undergo transformation of their personality sometimes. Since he has faced extra-ordinary circumstances since 1997, culminating in death of her wife, such jolts are enough to disrupt the in-built programming (computer language) of a soul.
In so far as his alleged corruption is concerned, you know he has already got punishment in shape of imprisonment of eight years. Its almost equal to life-imprisonment (which is awarded in case of murder charges) as jail manual counts day and night (24 hours) as two days.
What I think, he can use his skills for securing interests of Pakistan. Who can deny his is really a talented man. Look at his past. Is not he a “wardaatia”…?
Now lets hope after accumulating heaps of wealth, he wont need more. And he may (rather he should) use his acumen for furtherance of the country’s long term interests.
We may like or dislike him, but it is a reality he has not bagged this post with help of Brigade 111 but through a legitimate democratic process. Unlike his predecessors, he does not lack legitimacy so he has perfect timings to play a tactful role for reformation of foreign policy. He can.
Good Decision By President. Must Appreciate It:
Sep 7:The government of Sindh has withdrawn a notification of holiday on Monday after newly elected President Asif Ali Zardari took strict notice of it.
Earlier, the President elect, Asif Ali Zardari took strict note of the decision by Sindh government to declare public holiday on Monday.
According to Geo News, Zardari has said that the country needs education and hard work under prevailing circumstances and not holidays.
I bear repeating it here that as per parliamentarian democratic way of government of Pakistan, Prime Minister is suppose to be the executive in power, where as President takes a Ceremonial position representing the Federation of Country only.
This nation only knows how an Authoritarian or a dictator as their sole supreme commander may rule them. After the election of Asif Ali Zardari as a new President this nation is rightly or wrongly; pinning lots of hope to a person who is suppose to be a neutral body, void of any powers or having a say in the policy making of country. Although presently 17th Amendment of the constitution and the section 58(2)B as a gift from Ex-President Pervez Musharraf are still in tact which makes the President a supreme executive in Pakistan and any President with these powers may very conveniently enjoy singing ‘You are the Wind beneath My wings’, but what happens (as being widely debated) when the wind of these two items is taken away from under his wings.
In view of the pinning of our hopes and wheeling dealing being exercised with USA with one single person; Asif Ali Zardari; it looks like that title of the existing powers may change but supreme commander will remain; President Asif Ali Zardari.
We may also experience some ‘phoon phaan’ being aired from Muslim League Nawaz camps (would be a opposition party in Parliament) but history tells us that we do listen to lot of rhetoric raising the flow of adrenalin down the blood vessels and spine but Punjab is only good in submitting to the will of their supreme commander. We have seen how they have been bulldozed to the ditch of looser by Zardai; both the Muslim Leagues; N as well Q. They are the excellent…King Makers.
7 Signs You Have An Inferiority Complex:
An “inferiority complex”, or extremely low self esteem, is a concept we are all familiar with. Chances are you, or someone you know, suffers from this complex. Those with low self esteem are more likely to be depressed, irritable, or aggressive. They may also be more likely to have feelings of resentment, alienation, and unhappiness. So what are the signs that you may have an inferiority complex? Here are the top 7:
Sensitivity To Criticism: Although people who feel inferior “know” they have shortcomings, they do not like other people to point this out. They tend to perceive any form of criticism, regardless of how sensitively or constructively it is presented, as a personal attack.
Hypercritical Attitude: People who do not feel good about themselves have trouble feeling good about anyone else. They look hard for flaws and shortcomings of others to try to convince themselves that they really aren’t so bad after all. These people cannot feel intelligent, attractive, competent, etc., unless they are the most intelligent, attractive and competent person around.
Inappropriate Response To Flattery: This can work two ways. Some people are desperate to hear anything good about themselves and will be constantly fishing for compliments. Others may refuse to listen to anything positive about themselves because it is inconsistent with their own feelings.
Tendency Toward Blaming: Some people project their perceived weaknesses onto others in order to lessen the pain of feeling inferior. From here, it is only a short step to blaming others for one’s failures.
Feelings Of Persecution: Carried to its extreme, blaming others can extend to believing that others are actively seeking to ruin you. If a man is fired from his job, for example, it may comfort him to believe that his boss was out to get him. It allows him to avoid personal responsibility for his failure.
Negative Feelings About Competition: People who feel inferior like to win games and contests every bit as anyone else, but they tend to avoid such situations because deep down, they believe they cannot win. And not coming in first is clear evidence of total failure.
Tendency Toward Seclusiveness And Timidity: Because people with an inferiority complex believe that they are not as interesting or intelligent as others, they believe that other people will feel the same way about them. So they tend to avoid social situations, and when they are forced to be with others, they will avoid speaking up because they believe doing so will only provide an embarrassing demonstration of their dullness and stupidity.
Don’t Worry! If you have most or all of these traits, it does not mean you are destined to a life of misery and self-doubt! Many people tend to gradually become easier on themselves as they grow older, after they learn from experience that they aren’t so bad after all. You can help this process along by making a conscious effort to pat yourself on the back for the things you do well. Remember, you don’t have to come in first to be proud of your efforts!
Saleem Bhai, we neither have to, blindly, ‘trust’ the presidency nor the parlimentarian, ideally you have this one institution checking / balancing the other the judiciary playing the role of a neutral and honest referee. In my opinion, untill all these institutions have rehabilitated their trust in gained (or regained) the public respect, we should accept that body (I can’t recall its name right now, I think its National Security Council) which consists of number of members from the top echelon of our government and has a role of mediation and corrective measures in case of gross mismanagement. I know that most of you love to hate the initiator of this concept and might have problems with it, however, if you can divorce it from its creator, it is a good alternative.
Naeem Bhai, you are generous and it is good. I also wish to support the new president, since he is product of our own democratic system. However, I have a question. Does Zardari’s personal tragedidies and tribulation amputate his past guilt from his person, by the way same question holds for other actors including Sharifs? I prefer them all to publically repent and beg for public pardon, only then they can close the books….
Saeed Khan, Toronto, what is the opposite to having an inferiority complex?
Thanks in advance
Saeed Bhai, “Feelings Of Persecution” - Is it not the malady that is hurting us as a people and spreading like an epidemic. I wish that somehow people could be counselled on mass scale how to handle our anxieties. You need, people with high visibility and a personal profile, with public respect for their integrity, who could use the ‘popular mediums’ and explain in so many words that there is nobody really, “actively seeking to ruin you.” and help us come out of this mass mania. Someone who can explain (actually hammer it in our ’stones’ psyches!) that we can not “avoid personal responsibility for our failure.” We must wake up (jolted out of this melancholic state) and accept responsibility for ourselves - starting from one’s own self (one at a time). It is really an emergency situaion we must be provided this expert help.
“Inappropriate Response To Flattery” - On this I better don’t say nothing to avoid bruising ego of “that” someone with Extremely Fragile Ego!!!!!!!!!