Benazir
A few days back, a friend of mine was talking about he opportunism of Benazir. He said that it was only for Benazir's self-centered vision post 2002 elections that Musharaf got his way. So I decided to have a round up on Benazir.
I disagree with Benazir on the way she is running the PPP. I have also been an opponent of her look-Washington approach (not because being ultra Pro-US is bad but because it didn't suit a leftist ideological party like PPP and did't go well with the ranks and files of the party - I consider being Anti US to be unwise and thus I believe being neutral would have been the best option and that is where the party ultimately is heading to). I also believe that her thinking that because of being liberal she will be an acceptable choice for West specially the US over military dictators or an establishment government like Junejo. Her record on party elections and dealing with the corruption of party officials in her second term is also not up to the mark (though mostly the party and leadership has been victimized on corruption, it will be insane and foolish to say that no wrong-doing existed).
Yet, I believe she in many ways is the most critical influence on Pakistani politics. She is the first politician to bring pragmatism to politics (breaking away from the feudal mind set of us vs them feuds). She has the best record on human rights, women rights and freedom of speech of any ruler of Pakistan (though PTV still remained the propaganda machine of Govt.). She has given this human element to Pakistani politics of macho-men that was nonexistent before her. And then above all is her ability to defy all odds and make come back.
I disagree with Benazir on the way she is running the PPP. I have also been an opponent of her look-Washington approach (not because being ultra Pro-US is bad but because it didn't suit a leftist ideological party like PPP and did't go well with the ranks and files of the party - I consider being Anti US to be unwise and thus I believe being neutral would have been the best option and that is where the party ultimately is heading to). I also believe that her thinking that because of being liberal she will be an acceptable choice for West specially the US over military dictators or an establishment government like Junejo. Her record on party elections and dealing with the corruption of party officials in her second term is also not up to the mark (though mostly the party and leadership has been victimized on corruption, it will be insane and foolish to say that no wrong-doing existed).
Yet, I believe she in many ways is the most critical influence on Pakistani politics. She is the first politician to bring pragmatism to politics (breaking away from the feudal mind set of us vs them feuds). She has the best record on human rights, women rights and freedom of speech of any ruler of Pakistan (though PTV still remained the propaganda machine of Govt.). She has given this human element to Pakistani politics of macho-men that was nonexistent before her. And then above all is her ability to defy all odds and make come back.
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