Sept 30

Wishing all of you a very happy Eid.

Its tough for it to be happy when one thinks of how dangerous a situation Pakistan is in right now. But lets hope that we can be part of the solution and not problem. Lets also hope that sincerity and honesty and gairatmandi drives all of us.

 

Sept 30

Party leadership appointed me as formal PML In-charge Northern areas. Huge responsibility on my shoulders. I will work for the betterment of the people of Northern Areas and strengthen PML as a force to reckon with. Inshalla.

I am proud to say that my father built PML in Northern Areas 5 years back and made it possible for President Musharraf and PML to give reforms like never before…

I have interestingly accepted the responsibility at ashes stage. I will build back and most importantly I pledge to get them their constitutional rights. The left over task from those days…

ExpressTV interview on current situation.

Eid activity planning.

 

Sept 29

Seminar where I spoke- at Institute of Regional Studies on China- interesting discussion – For people to people contacts to flourish I accept we must emphasize more Chinese language courses as well as institutes for Chinese studies. I talk so much about this, I should lead by example and go and enroll myself for Chinese language course!

Discussion with party leadership on Northern Areas.

Finalized Urdu article on Shadow Cabinet concept as step one so that we can spread this concept.

Eid shopping toys etc. Bustling markets. Lets hope all Eid shoppers are safe.

 

Sept 28

Busy catching up with paper work at office – Plus working on research paper which I need to read at Institute of Regional Studies tomorrow on Pak-China bilaterals. I am the guest speaker at roundtable. Its a critical subject for Pak and I need to deliver a solid visionary piece.

Plus I was thinking of our ashes situation as a party in Gilgit Baltistan. All ministers and most MNAs of Northern Area Assembly ditched us when it came to vote of confidence for AZ versus sticking it out in favour of party candidate Mushahid even if they were not part of electroral college. I have always felt that when things go wrong one needs to analyze, take corrective action plan and learn from our mistakes. Something which seems obvious but which is not always followed in Pak politics.

So as far as my own area of interest if not direct responsibility is considered- Northern Areas – I am doing that kind of thinking. Party needs solid leadership or else people hijack and make it crumble like was the case in Northern Areas. Those who ditched came under pressure from administration ruling party etc.

A party needs to be built on some solid principles where workers are put through the training and all party officials uphold some of the following principles:

1- Kill your personal ego 

2- Personal interests to be put on one side for community interests

3- reject non egalitarian imperialistic VIP political culture and policies

4- decisions must be taken with party worker input but once taken must be followed by all irrespective of personal preference – party discipline and party loyaty is supreme for achieving Pak prosperity goals.

 

Sept 28

The prayer leader said a lot of common sense things in his final prayers this morning. But the one line he said which was the crux which infact I have been saying too is… “Allah give Pakistan ghairatmand leaders.” I believe its a leadership crisis we have been facing. Leadership has to be sincere to Pakistan and not to their own interests. Once that is in place rest will be fixed in no time – I am so hopeful this morning. I needed to share that with all of you. No compromise on principles for politics. This is the other crisis of our leadership.

 

Sept 27

Good breakthrough fellow patriots…

I discussed with Hamid Mir the virtual shadow cabinet idea- He wants to put you on TV so you can give your ideas on the issues faced in our key ministries- I think we need to work fast and hard – this is one way of building pressure on govt to resolve as per your common sense approach. Second is that I write articles in print media quoting you and your suggestions. Third is I speak in parliament and my talkshows. You have any other ideas, let me know. To start off with pls lets finalize your solutions scripts for the Capital Talk show. Send me asap so I can work with you to fine tune. If you are shy of TV we can put those youth who can quote you /not quote you giving your ideas – as u like- Idea is to give solutions and challenge each minister to show governance…Lets just Do It…

 

Sept 27

Pakistan Muslim League Central Executive Committee Resolutions

Sept 27 2008, Islamabad, PML House

1. PML CEC demands the government to immediately call a meeting of all parties inside and outside parliament to discuss the threats facing Pakistan on terrorism, law & order, and provincial harmony.
2. PML CEC hereby constitutes a fund for all displaced people of FATA and Swat. All PML members will contribute.
3. PML CEC welcomes change of name of province of NWFP but rejects naming it Pukhtunkhwa.
4. PML CEC demands the government to restore electricity, water and gas supplies to Swat area immediately.
5. PML CEC takes exception to President of Pakistan not highlighting the Kashmiri sufferings in his address to the UN GA.

Other than this I went to Capital talk to discuss US visit of Mr zardari

 

The other incident which I want to share is on Northern Areas… yes an area which recently I have been upset about. I am emotional about my politics. When I give I expect back loyalty too. When I see breach of loyalty it makes me angry. If you remember most of them had voted for Zardari in vote of confidence, not that they voted in electoral college since their votes dont count. Despite the fact that during our times they got maximum. Infact I was first parliamentarian to raise voice about them in assembly, give them my development funds and give them a bill for their constiutional rights. Anyway when for their self interest they bowed down infront of government pressure, naturally I was angry with them. The ‘ghairatmand’ PML President of Northern Areas Mr Wahid decided to cancel all their memberships, even the Chief Executive and Cabinet’s. I personally was quite pleased with his decision. Though I did tell him he should discuss with party leadership before making it legal. Anyway, tonight I was told by my sources that one such legislator who had ditched camp had told media that he had talked to CH Shujaat who had not appreciated PML NA Wahid’s move to cancel their membership. I immediately called up CH Shujaat and he calmed me down ” I dont move an inch on that area without your input. So relax. I have done no such thing” So I told the media to set the record straight. I was pleased. Wahid had done the right thing and he couldnt be ditched by central leadership. The reason I share this is that one needs to be firm in terms of party discipline. In the centre all those who didnt vote for Mushahid have been let off the hook. Also because it was secret ballot. In NAreas it was show of hands vote of confidence and so those who deserted are known. I have been given responsibility for that area unofficially, and I intend taking decisions which are based on justice rather than political necessities. Because thats not only the right thing to do but also in the long run the sane thing to do. Loyalty cannot be compromised. Whoever has left must not be taken back. Simple. Quality not quantity. I have been saying governance is the easiest thing if your niyaat is right. ghairatmand leadership…soon inshalla. I commit to you, we will make it happen.

 

 

Sept 26

Talk to youth at Sj Josephs College Karachi – What a pleasure it was to discuss current issues with them. It was truly one of my most emotional speeches possible. I told them of the pain I had and hoped they shared whilst looking at daily issues in Pakistan. And then I showed them the shadow cabinet route which they appreciated.

Program/ discussion with Islamabad youth on the Monument with News1-

 

Sept 25

Whirlwind day – started early in the morning with a trip to my old school. St Josephs Convent High School Karachi – I returned after 25 years. I had left for Paris when I was in class 7 but my formative years were spent in SJCHS. Very emotional experience to walk through the gate. To meet the Sisters who had taught me how to write, talk, and walk! Sister Zenia, Sister Margaret …The staff room was a delight. The same teachers who truly had not aged substantially after 25 years! The milk toffees from the tuck shop except Abdullah had passed away and so had Francis the gate keeper. The buildings looked as grand as they did then. They were well maintained. Here was an institution which had not deteriorated. Which was the way I had left it. I went to see the principal of the college as well. i speak there tomorrow. Looking forward to that.

By 10am I was back and enroute Manora with my father Senator Memon to visit the FG school whose walls had collapsed and killed 4 children few days back. Spending time with my father is great learning process from all points of views. What struck me about the handshake between navy and civilians in the middle of Manora was that we need to bridge the gap.

Press conference on issues of national security at the Karachi Press Club with my father. It was my first press conference with my father and it was a real honour for me. I spoke on India mostly whilst he handled the rest. My chacha was a journalist and the Karachi Press Club was a second home to him. he passed away a few years back and to see the room which has been dedicated to him and to see where he spent many of his days was an emotional experience for me. He was a man whose political views bordered on communism and who had a heart of gold.

Iftar with PML Women’s wing.

Dinner with the Governor and President Musharraf and his friends at the Governor house Karachi.

Ankahi Samaa TV with a member of the informed youth who took all her frustration of the failed state the country is in on me. I tried to launch my shadow cabinet idea but the lady in question was in a different mood – it was punch marvi day and I was a punching bag. Its ok. I have truly done my maximum in the last 6 months of parliament in terms of policy corrective action plans especially for foreign affairs, environment and economics. And like I said despite that I have failed to solve the problems of all Pakistanis. eventhough I am opposition and currently I cant help by fixing issues, I can only drive govt to fixing by talking issues and solutions. Its also true that people dont care about whether you are opposition or govt. They see you and they want their problems resolved- especially the day to day ones solved. What they dont realize is that there are separate empowerments for govt and opposition. Certainly the issues such as – cheaper food – cheaper petrol – better law and order – better civic amenities like clean drinking water – better educataion have not been handled to the satisfaction of the people. Our govt did a lot more development work than previous govts but it is not good enough- I accept we have a lot of work in front of us. I dont give up – Its important to keep talking to youth because they are the future of this country. Its important to keep listening to their frustration. They need an outlet and we politicans need to get away from our power politics and spend time driving their energies into constructive activities. Policy issues and strategic vision are most important too. One cant leave that and go and clean streets as MNA. It needs to be a balance. I am glad I went because I am sure having had the punching bag experience will make me stronger.

Next was a get together in the heart of Karachi with fellow parliamentarians and other friends – Malpuras (traditional pancakes with malai) at Boulton market – ancestral home – Sitting on the road side eating the best malpuras was the most real Karachi expereince anyone can have. As i watched the fan club gathering around Nazim Karachi whilst he tried to enjoy his malpuras i thought about the fact that he had worked hard. We were from different political parties but we had the same tasks – people had the same expectations from all of us – We all had a role to play in resolving the issues.

 

Sept 24

Early morning phone beeper analysis on Waqt TV on current domestic and intl challenges

Meeting with GF.

Iftar with President Musharraf, his close friends & family and students of IBA.

News1 on WOT with Rana

I got good feedback on the informed youth shadow cabinet. Interestingly from people who didnt want to be associated with any political parties but who just wanted to contribte to saving Pakistan. Concerned Pakistanis and patriotic Pakistanis.

I would like to plug their issues lists and fix it solutions from time to time on some special pages to share them with all of you before taking it to parliament on their behalf, so that you can all add value to it. Its a joint effort and there is no hierarchy in this set up. Just experts who wish to contribute.