London: Mild, suave, sober, gentleman, soft-spoken, handsome and many other befitting descriptions for a man who is considered good in a world where deceit is the order of the day—are most appropriately applicable to Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani—the 24rd Prime Minister of Pakistan. Indeed, 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 Pyar Ali Allana—a PPP leader—who had invited him for a lunch at his Sunset Boulevard residence in Karachi where we three discussed politics and future course of events. This meting was a precursor to his meeting with Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and his subsequent joining of PPP in 1988.
Both as Federal Minister and later as Speaker he earned more laurels to his reputation of a being a man of his words who right earnestly believed in the supremacy of the Parliament, rule of law, justice and fair play. I found him to be a man who would go out of the way to help a right cause and have no room for a compromise on issues of principles or national importance.
I was with Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in Islamabad when many names were being mooted for Speakership of the National Assembly in late 1993. Martyred leader 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, strengthening of the democratic institutions and for nurturing a democratic culture of tolerance and peaceful co-existence in a society where politics of divide-and-rule pursued by General Zia and heroin-kalashnikov culture had vulturised it.
From the long internal party discussions two names had emerged as the possible candidates for the post of Speaker—one was Yusuf Raza Gilani. Finally the overwhelming choice was made. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani was chosen for that great responsibility. As contrary to the confidence that Ms Bhutto had in Yusuf Raza, there were some seniors who thought that he was too young for it (in his thirties) and had no experience in high stake human management skills.
Indeed, YRG disappointed his critics by his outstanding, upright and graceful performance acquitting himself more than satisfactorily to the high expectations that Mohtarma Bhutto had in him. A man described by his seniors as a political novice, set new parliamentary traditions of upright stands for strengthening the parliamentary traditions and norms. Syed Yusuf Raza justified the confidence reposed in him by his late Chairperson, he also acquitted well as perhaps the most outstanding Speaker that the National Assembly ever had after late East Pakistani parliamentarian Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan. His taking of oath as Prime Minister is not only the acknowledgement of the confidence that his late Chairperson had in him but also that of the new party leadership– PPP’s Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-Chairman Senator Asif Ali Zardari.
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 all the way to the end—if he or she is not assassinated or dismissed much before the tenure runs out. The conditions now are even more deplorable than ever before. YRG has taken over reins of government at a time when the country has been rendered into an Augean stables by the President and his three musketeers who were styled as Prime Ministers by him intermittently—to run his one-man show.
The very fact that Yusuf Raza Gilani received 264 votes while his opponent got 42—is a manifestation of the confidence that the country has reposed in him. It is more predominantly a recognition of his leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s sacrifice in blood for the restoration of democracy, rule of law, independence of judiciary and media. I am happy to note that while emphasising on the need for an enormous change in the socio-economic order in the country for equitable distribution of wealth, bridging up of the widening gap between rich and the poor—with a view to ensure greatest good of the largest number—the new Prime Minister hit the right node in reasserting Parliament’s supremacy as the sole arbiter of people’s power.
As a student of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s political thinking I would like to underscore the major contributions by the father 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 muted by the establishment. His gifts to the toiling masses has 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. And thirty years later on account of her labour of commitment to him and his toiling masses, Pakistan has crossed the Rubicon. Ms Bhutto as the leader of the party put the entire nation onto a transformation course. 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 muted majority, gave them self respect and by walking to the gallows head high imbibed in them never to bow to the usurper.
Ms Bhutto–on the other hand–by laying down her life the way she did—made death look small before her. Her lasting contribution–from where there would not be a turning back–is to make the people and parliament the sole arbiters of power. I am sure now the people will not let any usurper to get away with it. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani’s reassurance that there would be no compromise on the supremacy of the Parliament is the best tribute to her supreme sacrifice.
Through conspiracy she was not allowed to complete her two elected tenures by the military-civil and judicial troika backed by the vested interest. She was hunted by their bloodthirsty hounds from city to city and country to country, her children’s and family life was wrecked by prolonged litigations, detention and torture of her husband. 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 supported 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, torture, life in exile, intimidation and humiliations– shunning all offers of pelf and power as compared to others stealthily pursuing their selfish interests.
Whatever—the machinations of the known enemies and their quislings within could not destroy her steeled determination to turn upside down the applecart of Musharraf’s power. I must put it on record that there was no deal whatsoever with Musharraf. The nature of negotiations was 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. Besides, Musharraf had guaranteed unhindered and safe return of Mohtarma to Pakistan.
It was clear from day one that 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 as Chief of Staff and not President. It was for all practical purposes—Martial Law– without calling it as such. He disposed off the Chief Justice and 60 other judges and planted his own set of puppet judges who instantly legalised all his actions including his election as president from a parliament that had no mandate to elect the President.
Mr Gilani has a long way to go but the fine start he has made will surely engine the nation out of the dark tunnel of despondency onto a track to better and prosperous future. Under the guidance of PPP Co-Chairman Senator Asif Ali Zardari who has painstakingly carried out a successful exercise in promoting the politics of national consensus, YRG too is also doing the right thing by seeking co-operation from all political parties. After all Pakistan is in a total mess and YRG shall need total support of the nation to pull it out of the quagmire of problems inherited by his government. Pakistan has come to a stage when we all will have to swim or sink together—irrespective of one’s political affiliations and loyalties. The first test of the supremacy of the Parliament will be when it debates and reviews Pakistan’s policy against terrorism according to the wishes of the people that it represents.