By Wajid Shamsul Hasan* New Delhi (Syndicate Features): Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, who has been elected as the 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan, has promised dawn of a new era that will be manifested in the new parliament by its assertive role as the sole arbiter of power. Suave and soft-spoken Gilani fits in a description for a man who is considered good in a world where deceit is the order of the day. Whatever contact I have had with him ever since I met him first in 1988, I have found him to be a perfect gentleman. Why not—he has a Sufi background and comes from a well-reputed political lineage.
I met him through the courtesy of late Pyar Ali Allana—a PPP stalwart— at a lunch in Karachi where we three discussed politics and future course of events at when General Zia was at the height of power. This was a sort of precursor to his meeting with Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and his subsequent joining of PPP the same year. Gilani made his mark at first in the PPP hierarchy as a Federal Minister. Later as Speaker he earned more laurels for being an upright man who earnestly believed in the supremacy of Parliament, rule of law, justice and fair play. I found him to be a man who would go out of the way to take a stand for a cause.
I was with Benazir Bhutto in Islamabad when many names were being mooted for NA Speakership in 1993. She did not want to make a wrong choice because an upright Speaker was—according to her—the need of the hour for a strong Parliament in a polity that had been vulturised by politics of divide-and-rule pursued by General Zia.
After great deliberations Gilani was chosen to be the PPP candidate for Speakership. Some seniors thought he was too young for the job (he was in his thirties) but Bhutto had known his sterling qualities as a man who was well-versed in high stake human management skills. Gilani disappointed his critics by his outstanding performance. He set new traditions for strengthening the parliamentary norms. And in no time he was recognised as the most outstanding Speaker that the National Assembly ever had after erstwhile East Pakistani veteran parliamentarian Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan. His assumption of the office of Prime Minister is not only the acknowledgement of the confidence that his late Chairperson had in him but also the entire party and its leadership.
The office of the Prime Minister in Pakistan has never been a bed of roses. It takes the incumbent onto a path that is strewn with thorns. The conditions now are even more deplorable than ever before. Gilani has taken over at a time when the country has been rendered in to an Augean stable. His election with an overwhelming majority (264 votes) is more a recognition of his leader Benazir Bhutto’s sacrifice in blood.. While emphasising on the need for an enormous changes in the socio-economic order for equitable distribution of wealth, bridging up of the widening gap between rich and the poor— the new Prime Minister hit the right node in reasserting Parliament’s supremacy as the sole arbiter of people’s power.
In this context I would like to underscore the major contributions by martyred Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter for the empowerment of the people. ZAB by his populist politics and establishment of PPP—unshackled the chained masses, gave them a strong voice and self-respect hitherto curbed by the establishment. His gifts to the toiling masses endeared him with the successive generations of the poor that he continues to rule the country from his grave and his vote bank has remained in tact despite the worst possible oppression, persecution and prosecution of his followers.
His daughter picked up the pieces from where he left in 1979. She gave it renewed hope in itself and the destiny of Pakistan. She could have launched an armed struggle to get rid of Zia following Bhutto Sahib's execution and stormed the GHQ on her tumultuous return in April 1986 with millions in the streets. Yet she preferred to establish supreme power of the vote against the barrel of the gun. Indeed, her father gave voice to the muted majority, gave them self respect and by walking to the gallows head high imbibed in them never to bow to the usurper.
Benazir’s lasting contribution--from where there would not be a turning back--is to make the people and parliament the sole arbiters of power. Now the people will not let any usurper to get away with it. Gillani’s reassurance that there would be no compromise on the supremacy of Parliament is the best tribute to her supreme sacrifice.
The military-civil and judicial troika backed by the vested interests did not allow Benazir to complete her two elected tenures. She single-handedly overcame all hurdles—big and sinister--put in her way and took on her opponents from the front —mobilising the masses from within and networking with leaders and think tanks abroad—to defeat the anti-people ruler at his own game. She was staunchly backed by the fathomless perseverance of her supporters in the masses, poor PPP workers and the dauntless determination of persons like her husband Senator Asif Ali Zardari (11 years in detention) and Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani (over five years in prison) -–to name some-- who braved long periods of incarcerations-- shunning all offers of pelf and power as compared to others stealthily pursuing their selfish interests.
The machinations of the known enemies and their quislings within could not destroy her steeled determination to challenge the dictator. I must put it on record that there was no deal whatsoever with him. The negotiations were aimed at doffing his military uniform, holding of free and fair elections at the earliest under an independent election commission, restoration of 1973 constitution, doing away of 17th Amendment, independence of judiciary and media, return of all political leaders in exile and their participation in elections, doing away of the third-time condition limiting the election of the prime minister and quashing of all politically motivated cases. And-- not to create any hindrances on the return of leaders in exile. It was clear he was stalling to gain time and to strike nearer the date of elections. And that is what he did on November 3 when he imposed emergency, sacked the Chief Justice and 60 other judges and planted his own puppets to instantly legalise all his actions including his election as president from a parliament that had no mandate.
Prime Minister Gilani has a long way to go in most difficult times. Under the guidance of PPP Co-Chairman Senator Asif Ali Zardari, he too is also doing the right thing by seeking co-operation from all political parties. Pakistan has come to a stage when the people will have to swim or sink together-irrespective of one’s political affiliations and loyalties.
The first test of the supremacy of Parliament will be when it debates and reviews Pakistan’s policy against terrorism according to the wishes of the people that it represents and not the dictates that it had been receiving in the past. Secondly, it will have to resolve the judicial crisis. However, its foremost task would be to provide instant relief to the poor and the jobless who cannot afford even one meal a day due to high prices of essential edibles. (Syndicate Features)
*The writer is a former Pak High Commissioner in London & a senior PPP leader
