By Dr Masood Haider, New Jersey
It is not unusual for anyone to stay in a prolonged state of denial about the shortcomings and failings of people that one admires, cares for or follows. The most recent example of such an attitude is the reaction of Muslims in many parts of the world to the release of the Bin Laden tape. Despite an overwhelming amount of circumstantial evidence, theories of complicated conspiracies abound, and some otherwise intelligent individuals remain fixed in their belief of his innocence.
The two letters by PPP members and partisans of Mrs. Bhutto, which were published in the last issue of the Link are not surprising and are symptomatic of such denial. Several Urdu newspapers in New York used to carry a paid advertisement for weeks at end with a picture of a smiling Mian Nawaz Sharif with a caption which read something like this ‘Main phir lotoon ga. Mujhe Abhi to gosha gosha ujalna hai’. Obviously, in the minds of their partisans, these two leaders committed no crimes and therefore must be allowed to actively participate in the national election, yet another time. The Bhutto supporters cite the verdict of the Supreme Court for a new trial as her vindication, which could not be any farther from the truth. It gives no indication of her guilt or innocence. Despite the fact, that in all misappropriations and other criminal activities these two persons tried to cover their tracks very effectively; such as no written orders, use of codes for their transactions etc, a very impressive body of circumstantial evidence exists against both.
The readers may recall a very thorough full-page investigative report, which appeared in the august New York Times sometime ago. It detailed all the financial dealings of the Zardaris and gave substantiated sources for the information presented in the report. Let us briefly set aside the sheer affrontedness of the Prime Minister of an abjectly poor country living in the gaudy opulence of a Raiwind or the majesty of a country estate in the United Kingdom and ask a few questions. Aren’t the people of Pakistan entitled to know, where did this kind of wealth, which represents only a fraction of their holdings and which neither of these leaders inherited, come from? Shouldn’t there be accountability for the $ 2 billion a year, which was added to the foreign debt for the last ten years? If Mrs. Bhutto and her supporters are convinced of her innocence, she should return to Pakistan, perhaps be arrested and face a new trial.
As far as the claim that her families has lost two lives in the ‘service’ of the country, at least one tragic death - that of her brother - can be ascribed to many factors none of which fall under the category of service. Unfortunately the Bhuttos had been so obsessed with power that they made some fearful compromises with principles. In the case of Mrs. Bhutto, there is something profoundly sad and demeaning about a two-time Prime Minister of a country, desperately pleading her case before friends and foes alike time and again. One wonders how can Mr. Vajpayee help her in her quest for ruling a country a third time. As I said in my original letter, it is really unfortunate for Pakistan that a highly educated and progressive woman could not get it right even the second time about what makes a great leader. Certainly vengeance, greed and lack of foresight are not some of the required traits. Her place in history may be less unflattering if she voluntarily chooses to be the ‘elder statesperson’.