QUESTION THE ELECTED LEADERS ON BETRAYAL:

  BLUNDERS ALWAYS PROVE COSTLY

  BY JAVED ZAHEER,

TORONTO: Without realizing the serious consequences of removing Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf from power at such crucial time when the very existence of Pakistan is in real danger, the people, tricked by their trusted politicians, started playing in the hands of Powers with vested interests in the South Asia region.  They started dancing on the tune of Go Musharraf Go. Now the change is proving very costly and deadly.

People were happy that the democratic set up and the political leadership would bring them real progress and happiness. Very soon their hopes were shattered as the situation started turning from bad to worse. Now they are badly disappointed and frustrated and cursing their luck and praying for their and Pakistan’s safety.

When Asif Ali Zardari, the Co-Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), became the elected President of Pakistan, almost everyone was shocked. They did not expect this even in their wildest dream. Think whatever you like and say whatever you want, it really happened. Asif Ali Zardari is the elected President of Pakistan.

Since then Asif Ali Zardari remains the topic of discussions everywhere with almost everyone fearing the worst to come. At several meetings, people cursed Altaf Hussain, Chief of Muttaheda Qaumi Movement (MQM), and his party for being the first to openly and fully support Zardari for presidentship. They never condemned such acts of their own elected leaders.

One community leader belonging to the PPP and acting as one of its leaders in Canada openly threatened me for supporting MQM and said: “The day we will drag Altaf Hussain to Pakistan, we are going to drag you there as well.”

This he said when he asked me to change my loyalty and support any leader and party other than Altaf Hussain and MQM and I told him clearly that my whole family right from the beginning strongly supports Muttaheda Qaumi Movement (MQM).

We cannot even think of supporting any other leader and vote for any other party. This is because MQM has roots in the masses, promotes true leadership from the middle class level and understands the problems and priorities of the people and fights for their rights. This is what I have witnessed.

MQM has given us strength and protection otherwise we would have suffered tremendous losses and mercilessly crushed. Several attempts were made in the past to completely crush us and all other parties remained mum and dare not even protest against the killings and operations. Instead they praised and supported it.

I keep telling such people that instead of cursing Altaf Hussain and MQM why not seek explanation from their own elected representatives in the National and Provincial Assemblies as to why they betrayed their voters and voted in favour of Asif Ali Zardari. They are the ones who despite being elected by the people stabbed them in the back.

So stop cursing Altaf Hussain and Asif Ali Zardari and start questioning your own elected leaders. Ask them what compelled them to do so. Their accountability and punishment is a must now because they have lost the trust and confidence of their voters and acted against their wishes. The betrayal of their own people exposes their `Characters’. They are not leaders but untrustworthy elements and do not deserve to represent people in the parliaments and assemblies.

People who used to say Go Musharraf Go now I hear them sigh and say: “Pervez Musharraf was far much better than the present lot. They have done nothing good for the people and are instead making lives of the people miserable. They are harming both the people and the country”.

It’s a pity that our people don’t learn a lesson. Federal elections in Canada are due on  October 14, 2008. What have we learnt from the past elections and experiences? Perhaps, nothing.

We keep complaining and criticizing, instead of making sound plans for the promotion of the community. Most of our community leaders keep exploiting us and only focus on their vested interests. The community as a result suffers badly. Problems and priorities are ignored and remain only mere promises.

The community leaders are taking advantages in many ways including good positions and funds from which the community seldom benefits.

Wajid Ali Khan remains the target of most members of the community. The mistakes and blunders of all others are forgiven but the acts of Wajid are never forgiven. They said that Wajid Ali Khan should have resigned as MP when he crossed the floor and then contested in the bye-election. Most of these people are the same who helped bring Asif Ali Zardari into power and are now repenting.

If Wajid Ali Khan does not deserve support and vote than it means that the Conservative Party too deserves the same treatment for accepting him, having trust and confidence in him and fully supporting him? Opposing Wajid Ali Khan seems to have become more personal than political.

Wajid Ali Khan must through proper understanding, practical contributions and all other means try to regain the lost respect, trust and confidence of the community and people. His elimination from the political scene will be a great loss for the community. We need more people from the community to come forward and do some real work in the interest of the community, people and Canada.

We must avoid mistakes and blunders and focus on those parties and leaders who are really committed and interested in our issues, problems and priorities.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) is taking full advantage of the weak leadership of Liberal and the poor performance of the Conservative Party. In the Don Valley West riding, the NDP is attracting Muslim voters. They are not happy and keeping away from Robert Oliphant, Liberal candidate. This will hurt Liberal a lot and benefit both the Conservative Party and the NDP.

While casting vote, one thing we must remember foremost is the greater interests of the people and Canada.  Don’t play in the hand of political parties and never allow them to exploit the people. Promises are made to be kept and commitments to be fulfilled. Those who don’t do this must be exposed and rejected.

There are many leaders who keep winning for many terms including Jim Karygiannis, MP, who is very popular among the people, particularly in the South Asian community. There must be some reasons for his and all other such leaders of all parties for their continuous win in the elections. This itself is a parameter for their success.

---Javed Zaheer, Free Expression Award Winner (NEPMCC-2006), is contributing voluntarily in the media on purely Honorary Basis in order to help the people and community with the spirit of community and humanity service. The objective is to make both the media and the community powerful, influential and effective. Contact: (416)696-0981/ javedz@hotmail.com.