Is there any real politician in the theater?

Addressing a group of ruling coalition lawmakers from Rawalpindi, President General Musharraf has said that Nawaz Sharif would have to go to jail on return or would be bundled back to Saudi Arabia.

Why Mr. President? Why do you need to do that or even say that? By saying such you give too much importance to the other party.

Mr. Nawaz Sharif has said that he Plans to Challenge Pakistan's Musharraf. He says he will return to Pakistan as soon as possible, and plans to restore the rule of law and the sanctity of parliament in Pakistan. He also plans to continue good relations with the United States if he again becomes prime minister.

Now, my question; How in the world is he planning to become the Prime Minister? Ms. Bhutto is at least "negotiating" to get the amendment against the law that restricts both her and Mr. Sharif from becoming PM a third time. Mr. Sharif is not even raising the issue. He just says he's going to "challenge Musharraf". I'm curious, just how he's planning to do that? Shouldn't he also share his plan with the nation?

Is there any real politician in the theater? Please raise your hand.

Philosophy VS Solution

I never start my day with the newspaper. I find it disturbing. But I do look at it at some point in the day. Today's newspaper was no different from any other day. But thankfully, it was less violent, and more political.

In an interview with Newsweek-Washington Post Ms. Benazir Bhutto has said that even though her party is urging her to distance herself from President Musharraf, she is "trying to convince them that the international community and the armed forces have confidence in Musharraf, and therefore we need to work out a solution [with him]". Political affiliations and compromises are nothing new, and not something I'm personally against. However, "solutions" that defy the fundamental philosophy of a movement or a political force, makes one wonder.



Yesterday I had also mentioned my shock at Mr. Nawaz Sharif not having seized the moment and taking a flight to Pakistan immediately after the judgment in his favor. Now PML-N in a meeting has suggested that Mr. Sharif should return before Ramadan. Let's see where that one goes.

It is also interesting how young Pakistani's all over the world are affected by the present turn of politics in Pakistan; even though they typically seem to be disconnected with the whole thing.

Does Pakistan have any politicians?

Newspapers, have said that the Supreme Court ruling allowing Nawaz Sharif and his family to return to Pakistan has dealt a blow to President Pervez Musharraf's efforts to hold on to power. [Mirror.co.uk]

If Nawaz Sharif had gotten on a plane within minutes of the judgment, and landed on Pakistani soil ASAP, he would have turned the table once and forever. But unfortunately, none of our politicians have the acumen to be politicians. Not that I'm a great fan of Late Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, but I must admit, he was probably the last, and one of the few, politicians, Pakistan has ever seen. And it's no wonder, that his popularity is still the steam his daugher Ms. Benazir Bhutto is still riding on.

It is no secret that most of our present day politicians are a creation not of an ideology, or a struggle, but of a force which has propped them up to achieve other goals. One of the few politicians who seems to have the courage to admit his mistakes and say things as they are is Mr. Sheikh Rashid. While talking to him online, just the other day, I was shocked to hear him sound so terribly disappointed with the sate of affairs in Pakistan. But it gave me courage and hope that if we keep on admitting that there is a problem, we will one day find a solution.



It is interesting that there has been no significant comment from the Pakistan People's Party quarters on this "landmark" judgment.