Mar 10, 2008
Danger: A Mean Fahim
While the People’s Party (PPP) and Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have become politically hitched, a dangerous division is emerging within the PPP that can jeopardize meaningful progress toward national reconciliation.
Bhutto loyalist and party stalwart Amin Fahim has become increasingly ostracized within the PPP over the past week. Around two weeks ago, it emerged that Fahim’s candidacy for the premiership was in serious question. Last week, his odds were renewed briefly, only to be followed by a fairly aggressive campaign to suggest otherwise. There were even claims that he had met Anne Patterson, the U.S. ambassador, without the consent of Asif Zardari. Fahim then, quite uncharacteristically, began to speak vocally in the media on his own behalf, becoming more assertive each day.
The most blatant display of Fahim’s rift with the PPP leadership was his absence at weekend’s historic press conference in Bhurban. Fahim remained in Islamabad and called into the news channels to make it know that he was not invited. Zardari claimed that Fahim was busy with other matters, which Fahim denied. PPP Information Secretary Sherry Rehman said today that Fahim had been sent an invitation via another unnamed senior official, who failed to successfully deliver it. Fahim gave an immediate reply to Rehman’s claim, questioning why he, as the party vice chairman and president of its electoral spinoff (the People’s Party Parliamentrians), would need an invitation.
As if all this were not peculiar enough, Khawaja Asif of the PML-N appeared on several news channels to criticize Fahim on the record. He said that his party had reservations about Fahim being prime minister because of his links to Pervez Musharraf and the establishment. He claimed that Fahim met with Musharraf on the night of Bhutto’s assassination and on her soyem (third after her death). Fahim fervently denied these allegations but wavered on the question of whether he’s met with Musharraf after Bhutto’s death. He seemed to first issue a denial, but then referred the questioner to Zardari. His insinuation: he met with Musharraf after Bhutto’s death, but with the consent or even urging of Zardari.
The truth is more likely somewhere in between. Fahim’s meetings with Musharraf were likely done with the approval of Bhutto and Zardari, but now his connections to Musharraf are no longer a utility but a liability and potential source of danger. There is perhaps a fear within the PPP that Fahim, as prime minister, would pull the forces back when time to confront Musharraf. And then there’s the now popular belief that Zardari seeks the premiership himself and doesn’t trust that Fahim would serve as a mere placeholder. That seems quite clear; Fahim is uninterested in other offices indirectly offered to him (such as the presidency or speakership in the National Assembly) and seems to feel that his loyalty has earned him the premiership. Fahim has been a company man, serving as a titular executive vice president, only to have a less senior executive promoted over him as CEO.
Anyway, there is a fine line between demotion and excommunication, and the PPP seems unable to navigate on one side. Its handling of the situation has been indelicate. Differences within the party should be communicated within and not simply fought on the airwaves. The fissures serve neither the party’s interests nor those of Pakistan as a whole. Now is a time for intra-party consolidation and inter-party cooperation, not fracturing — especially on provincial and ethnic lines. The only winners from a PPP divide are the losers of last month’s elections–political deadwood that can only gain from a politics of antagonism.
Radicals win the day !!!! there are days in people’s lives when rationale is bohemian and radical is normal. this is the same scenario that pakistan currently finds itself into.
Fahim’s fall from grace has alot of meaning, conspiracies, expediencies and lessons to learn
PML-N a major partner in the formation of government found Makhdoom increasingly difficult on the issue of reinstatement of judiciary and the battle with the president. Conciliatory is the only word, until now that defined makhdoom fahim
with the demise of Benazir Bhutto there is no towering personality left in PPP to hold the party together to an intimidating level. the internal strifes grew strong and the authorities became questionable. the mindset of the party would remain subservient to Bhutto and nobody else.
Expediency was what took makhdooms chances of permership when he preached that without taking into account what the PML-N and a cross section of PPP cadre is right now. Musharraf and reconciliation with the likes of him was a mistake that was and remains inecusable.
And the lesson is for all senior and junior party leaders that authoritarian leadership would continue to drive dictation home. there will be no room for dissent and without bringing in democracy people like Zardari would cut the senior vice chairman short and people like Makhdoom Fahim would issue statements and actually think totally out of line with the mood of the party.
like musharraf said, this election would be the mother of all elections, in truth, this elsction emancipated the people to no end and the parties and their leadship have come to realize that the anti encumbancy factor now has become the hallmark of pakistani electorate and this in itslef has translated into a political landmine for musharraf and his cronies.
Just one correction which might have crept in during quick typing. Soyem is the third day after the demise not fortieth. Cheers.
Farhan — I agree with you about the anti-incumbency factor. A maturing electorate combined with an active private media and civil society serves as a much-needed check on the executive. There is a combined push for performance on principles (e.g. the judiciary) and policies (e.g. inflation). While I think there should be little compromise on the former, I think the policy challenges will only grow. Once the government comes in, there’ll be a need for some frank dialogue on what can and cannot be done.
Farrukh — Thank you for noting the typo. I’ve corrected it.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim has had an impeccable record of service to the PPP and considered an honest and reasonable man by people at home and abroad. He refused to accept Musharraf’d repeated offers of PM position in 2002-3. Unfortunately, he stands in the way of Asif Ali Zardari’s ambition who has attempted to hijack the party. While Fahim offered a ray of hope for good governance, Zardari’s role creates nothing but doubts about the future of Pakistan under his corrupt leadership. This development is likely to strengthen Musharraf’s hand and discourage the optimists. It is a sad day for Pakistan.
Riaz, I agree. Fahim is popular within the party and Sindh, and is viewed fairly positively countrywide.
Appointing Fahim as PM would help make party loyalty more important than lotary. The patrimonialism of the PPP is a bit discomfiting, but I think it’s not as bad as political factionalism (the political parties with all the hyphens — e.g. PPP-S, PML-Q, etc.).
I also see a PM from a smaller province, particularly Sindh, as critical for the federation.
The accusations made against Fahim are fairly questionable and contradictory.
First, Zardari said Fahim won’t be accepted by the establishment. Now there are insinuations he’s too close to the establishment. At the same time, some have said he’s not a forceful enough character. But then, there are suggestions that he won’t buy into a temporary premiership.
This is not to say that none of the above can be true. But a simple, fixed narrative would help.
And I wonder why the PML-N got into the mix. Initially they had said they would support any PM nominated by the PPP. And now they are fairly vocal about their “reservations” toward Fahim. Their behavior blurs party lines. It gives the impression they are acting hard against Fahim publicly, so that the PPP won’t have to.
Benazir Bhutto’s death was a tragedy in Pakistan’s history and affected all Pakistan’s politics. After Benazir there were many faces in PPP who could lead the party. Amin Mukhdom Fahim was running PPP for almost eight years when Benazir was in exile and could be the party future. There was another name of Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, who got international fame after following chief justice case. But Zardari suddenly called the party meeting and asked party leaders to authorize his wish for Bilawal as a party chairman.
Every one knows that Zardari has done great damage to PPP in the past. Every single person knows in the country that Zardari is a corrupt and untrustworthy person. He is known as Mr 10% throughout the world. It is also believed that he was behind the martyrdom of Murtaza Bhutto.
Keeping in view all the facts the question that requires suitable answer is why Mukhdom Amin Fahim is being discriminated by the party leadership. He has not being invited for the recent meeting held between PPP and PML (N) in Murree. It is also being widely speculated that for the post of Prime Minister his name has been excluded from the list by the PPP leadership.
Why Mr. Zardari is treating a senior party leader, a seasoned politician and deserving candidate in such a discriminated way??
Good post..excellent analysis
No room for political expediency.
call a spade a spade.
anyone saying , we will work with musharraf , be it anyone, zaradari, nawaz sgarif or makhdoom is PEOPLEs TRATOR.
i dont want him, millions dont want him