Politicians - Public and Private

Last week there were unusual tweets by Mrs. Farahnaz Ispahani (MNA-Media advisor Co-Chairman PPP and wife of Pakistan’s Ambassador to USA Mr. Hussain Haqqani), two of them were:

“All U jerks who R attacking ___ ___ - stop! She is devoting her time 2 eradicating polio becos she's committed 2 #pakistan”

“My husband & I R public figures. Attack us or argue w/ us. Or any other politician or member of govt. Please leave children alone”

Reason behind, were abusive tweets by some immature and angry people directed towards honorable daughter of our President and beloved slain leader. Respectable media advisor and honorable Ambassador husband tried to handle the situation.

Abusive and rude comments for children of political leadership are highly condemnable. Personalized criticism on any leader or his child or family is intolerable, no matter how serious political differences be.

Equally our political leaders should also realize that why such incidents happen and why “Awam” get that much personal and even start abusing their children.

Is it not because our politicians themselves drag their children into public affairs?

Honorable daughter of President was appointed Ambassador of Polio Eradication Campaign in Pakistan. President speaking (in English) to the public at inaugural ceremony of campaign, said that his daughter is committed to this program, but she was not present at inaugural ceremony.

Honorable daughter of President lives abroad for studies and it is not possible for her to devote required time for any such program.

In Pakistan; parks, hospitals, roads, chowks (roundabouts), universities, development programs; all public money funded institutions and places are named after these honorable children and family members of our “Rulers”. Below are “very few” examples which are into my knowledge (only party chiefs and their family, 2nd tier leadership excluded):

Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST)

Zulfiqarabad Thatta

Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad

Benazirabad (Nawabshah)

Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi (RGH)

Benazir Bhutto Road Rawalpindi

Benazir Bhutto Sports Complex Karachi

Benazir Bhutto Squash Complex Rawalpindi

Benazir Tractor Scheme

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Park

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women Centres (under Women Development Ministry)

Bilawal Chowrangi (Roundabout)

Bakhtawar Park

Benazir Income Support Programme

Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Youth Development Program

Shaheed Banazir Bhutto Hydel power house

Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital Multan Road Lahore

Government Nawaz Sharif Hospital Yakki Gate Lahore

Nawaz Sharif Medical College Gujrat

Nawaz Sharif Park Lahore

Nawaz Sharif Park Rawalpindi (Rawal Park)

Nawaz Sharif Stadium Daska Gujranwala

Government Nawaz Sharif College for Women Lahore (later Renamed)

Zahoor Elahi Satdium Gujrat

Zahoor Elahi Road Lahore

Pervez Elahi Park Multan

Afza Altaf Park Gulshan-e-Iqbal Karachi

Khan Abdul Wali Khan Multiplex

Bacha Khan Poverty Alleviation Programme

Abdul Wali Khan By-pass Road Chitral

Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan

Bacha Khan Medical College Mardan

Bacha Khan Chowk Peshawar

Khan Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex Charsadda

Bacha Khan Flyover Karachi

Mufti Mehmood Memorial Hospital D.I. Khan

Mufti Mehmood Flyover Peshawar

Mufti Mehmood Chowk Karachi

Unluckily not even a single ruling political party come clean in this case.

I suggest RULERS that if they expect respect from AWAM and separation of their personal and political lives, first they themselves should follow the rule. And I am sure that Awam will also understand and start respecting children and family elders of politicians.

Why Incompetent And Stupid Rulers Get Elected In Pakistan

(Written In June 2009)

Let me share with you my recent experience. Yesterday I went to meet my friend at his father’s pharmacy (medical store) located in old city area of Karachi (one might call it not so developed or a bit backward area). My friend was filling in for his father as cashier. Two more friends were also with me.

We stayed there for more than an hour. Pharmacy’s salesmen were attending the customers. Less than 20-30% customers came up with prescriptions. Though prescription is mandatory by law but in Pakistan we get medicines from our area pharmacy just by calling up medicine’s name. Actually I want to share with you the manner and approach that how customers were asking for required medicines.

One young chap came and said “khujli ka goli diyo” and handed over 2 coins totaling Rs. 3, he was given a tablet xyz. I was informed that he was given an anti allergic tablet.

Another person came and asked for “lemo wala zukam ka goli do” after few seconds of thought salesman gave him lemon flavor strepsils and customer was satisfied.

An old man came and said “pair kay dard ki do (2) goli do”, salesman asked which tablet, old man said “do goli tera (13) rupay ki aati hai”, salesman then showed him tablets and said these 2 will cost 14 rupees. Old man said “aik yeh tha doosra goli alag tha”. Salesman got him and showed another tablet, oldman was then satisfied.

One person came and asked for “murgay ka teeka”, salesman understood and denied that it is not available. Customer insisted that it is there but salesman refused. After the person left counter I asked the salesman, what he was asking for. He replied that he was asking for the injection for his bird that might already have or will get injured in cockfight. I enquired that why you didn’t give him the injection if u know the one. Salesman said "I don’t know the correct quantity to be injected to the bird and God forbid if something wrong happens to the bird this man will not spare me".

One gentleman apparently matured and reasonable came and said “wo green wala nawway (90) rupay ka goli ka pata do”, salesman after a deep thought picked up one pack from shelf and enquired while showing the pack “ye wala, ye sau (100) rupay ka hai”. Customer confirmed the pack but argued that last time he got it at 90 rupees.

Every time any such customer left the counter we all friends look at each other and start laughing. All three of us were stunned by people’s zero concern about their own health and also admired the talent of salesmen.

Leaving the pharmacy shop one of us commented “aaj hamain aur bhi ziyada wazeh taur per samajh main aaya kay hamaaray mulk main aisay na-laaiq aur ahmaq leader q muntakhib ho jaatay hain” (Today we understood more evidently that why such incompetent and stupid leaders get elected in our country).