Amjad Malik specially writes on Pak premier’s London address on 2 Dec 09
to Overseas Pakistanis

Yousaf Raza Gilani, the Pakistan premier addressed the local Pakistani community in London on 2 December 2009 at posh 5 star Intercontinental hotel where for the first time instead of food, snacks were served which needs to be appreciated as Pak Govt does not afford extravagancy, when seeking aid globally in worst recession. Gathering was a mixed complexion of PPP loyalists and London’s professionals but opposition was outnumbered due to inherent fears, in the system or civil Govts. as always.

Premier Speech was a mixed of facts and fiction, people were amused on his claims of unopposed election as premier and his vows that Baluchistan will come out of fire with his new announcements . They also appreciated his stance on reconciliation approach of the Govt whereby all four provinces carry alliance governments with PPP. People also admired him for his slogan of ‘trade not aid’ and wished for that to be translated in reality in future.

But as a critic I think his claim that Bait Ullah Masud was the true perpetrator behind his leader’s murder was a premature announcement of pending investigation whilst his Govt is engaging United Nation’s investigation at the cost of millions to public purse. It may frustrate genuine efforts to find the real killers. His party ‘jialas’ when shouted ‘BB we are ashamed, your murders are alive’ is enough to open his eyes on the scale of anger of his party comrades.

He did not mention newly born judiciary and could not take credit for its restoration either, and the need of a fair and transparent independently appointed judges and above all National Reconciliation Ordinance and the way out of this mess. His repeated rhetoric on repeal of 17th amendment and implementation of charter (COD) was way beyond expiry date, he needed to assume some responsibility for delay. People were there to listen to his vision for future but his speech was confined to still his first 100 days announced measures in Parliament.

People wanted to hear from him what he is going to do with his own cabinet members who were part of looting process under NRO, how will he ensure fair trial to them, and an independent prosecution against them to the satisfaction of the janta.

I think he did not mention at all the fate of dictator who skived off Pakistan in a day light with pomp and show and being within 5 mile radius there was no love or hate message for him and it was his failure not to invite veteran Altaf Hussain of MQM to this community gathering where if he was to be sitting with him, it could have strengthened his alliance and his stance of reconciliation, but it did not happen.

I was at loss, that since his speech on 16 March 2009 where he offered legal assistance to Pakistani students detained in ‘Operation Pathway’ on 8 April 2009 at Manchester in a terror related allegation out of which 8 have returned without justice and 2 are still in detention, there was not even a minor mention of what he will say to if at all anything with Gordon Brown, his British Counterpart. Let alone legal aid, he did not seek briefing from any of his legal aide despite the fact that Student counsels were fortunately in audience, and in visible reach.

Finally, on the issue of Overseas Pakistanis, his acceptance to lobby support for the demand of right to vote can not be mixed with representations. 80 Lakh voiceless Pakistanis in parliament needs reserved seats in upper and lower houses of parliament. Right to vote may be allowed to those who wish to exercise in Pakistan which they can not technically on NICOP. However, allowing right of vote without representations to them to be exercised in UK will divide further this already small divided community. We need more MP’s in local parliament to fight for our rights in British system than political activity of foreign parties at local land. Announcement of 5 seats in both houses on the similar pattern of proportional representations like minorities & women could have sent a happy tidings in this hard working community who love its home land of origin and cherish the country they live.

Prime Minister wrongly declared ‘land mafia’ a provincial subject. Its a pure federal govt ambit whereby specialist courts can be made through a legislation in Parliament and or tribunals in all the country can be set up as is the case in terrorism related matter(s). Once Federal Govt legislate provinces will follow at their end. A designated judge can be appointed in each province as well to deal with illegal land possession cases fairly, justly and expediently. High Commissioner rightly pointed out 3 core subjects relevant to Pakistani community but I am afraid rebuff was untimely, and un thoughtful, may be more home work was needed and PM was not briefed properly on the subject as to how close it is to the hearts of local Pakistanis where t5hey risk being robbed of all their life time saving with a twitch of a hand by land mafia. A befitting noise, and warning was needed.

He did not mention the political fall outs of judicial crisis, Kerry Lugar Bill and NRO which were settled only through public pressure and he was surrounded by meagre media team who were seemed more obliged than in a position to prepare him for a proper onslaught. He did not talk about Afghanistan policy of USA as we were envisaging.

Finally, the speech was repeat of past heroic claims and when sugar barons are sitting in his cabinet, his claims to promote edible commodities and bumper crops in Pakistan at a time of worst uncontrollable sugar crises despite Superior court orders not only seems hollow but insult the intelligence of his audience as if they do not read newspaper(s) or watch television.

Pakistanis live in a global village and may know first hand what is unfolding in Pakistan as they can smell what’s cooking from far away and it was merely a speech of a few facts mixed with fictions as people demand action not hollow claims which have no bearing on the leaders. Overseas Pakistanis were expecting lot more from a chief executive who is going to be the supreme commander of the armed forces of an atomic power very soon. Alas a missed opportunity to woo his critics in West.

Amjad Malik is a Solicitor-Advocate and a life member of SCBA