Dec 12, 2007
Aitzaz Ahsan to Boycott Elections
For much of this year, Aitzaz Ahsan has been pulled in opposite directions by the lawyers’ movement, of which he is a leader, and the Benazir Bhutto-led People’s Party. Jailed by Musharraf after imposition of emergency rule, Ahsan was recently released from prison so he could file his election nomination papers. His party had, for several weeks, asserted that it would participate in the elections; but the lawyers’ movement has been resolutely against any sort of legitimation of Musharraf’s constitutional contravention.
As Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N veered toward electoral participation, Ahsan — sensing the political establishment was wiping its hands clean of the lawyers’ movement — proposed a compromise to the candidates: participate in the elections, but take an oath that you will work to reinstate the pre-November 3rd judiciary and repeal legal changes made under emergency rule when the new parliament convenes.
The sensible and just compromise was rejected by Bhutto, who sees Ahsan as a challenge to her control of the party for which she is “chairperson for life.” When asked about Ahsan’s proposal, Bhutto replied, “It is Aitzaz Ahsan’s personal point of view and the PPP has nothing to do with it.”
Now it seems as if Ahsan might have nothing to do with the PPP. Today, he withdrew his nomination papers and announced he will be boycotting the elections. Ahsan’s full return to the lawyers’ movement gives it the leadership it has been lacking in recent weeks. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry remains under house arrest and is virtually incommunicado. Former Supreme Court Bar Association President Muneer Malik was allegedly fed a liquid in prison that caused renal failure. He is now being sent abroad for medical care. Firebrand Ahmad Ali Kurd appears to remain under tight house arrest, despite being released from prison.
Aitzaz Ahsan will not be part of the next parliament if and when it convenes after the January polls. But Ahsan, with his credibility intact, might have enough to last the potential coming storm and come out on top.
i wonder if bb is making a mistake with her marginalization of aa. does she think he’s a *threat* to her power base within the party? surely not. is she just *that* insecure, that she can’t deal with a “subordinate” getting some headlines for a change?
i think she will regret this move in the coming weeks and months.
It is just a start. I hope to see many things before these elections.
For an indepth analysis, news and, discussion, and extensive debate on elections 2008, click on
Pakistan Elections 2008
Yeah, I wouldn’t say that AA is a comprehensive threat to BB’s hegemony over the PPP. He might have less of a capacity to sell the “roti, kapra, makan” canard to Pakistan’s lower and lower-middle classes.
I think you rightly point at her insecurity, especially in light of her power struggles with her mom and late brother Murtaza.
For the past 20 or so years, it’s been:
PPP – NB – MB – AA = BB
I think we are in for a turbulent year ahead, but all those who have stood by principles instead of short term gains symbolize hope for us in the long term. Finally we have an alternate leadership emerging which will everntually lead us out of this abyss. Let us give our whole hearted support to such leaders.