The ANP Challenge

Let us prey higher powers this article will not become mud wrestling of mr. Gandhi and and QAMA Jinnah. Some things are sure as rising of sun tomorrow the fight will start.
Mr. Altafbhai has given good message for people. Only leader thinking of nation of pakistani not clanish like others.

Yassir:

so whats the conclusion? bring pukhtoons "into the fold" by continuing to force islam down their throat? OR finally accept them as Pakistanis that dont speak an indo-Aryan language.

I mean I know you have spent a lot of time studying Gandhi jee and Jinnah, but stop bringing the same old things in every political issue.

Would you consider Imran Khan as a threat to "secular" Pakistan just because he is sitting in the same camp as Qazi?

And how about Nawaz Sharif's victory in Punjab, the guy who wanted to be ameer ul momineen back in 98? does that ring any alarm bells? or is it okay just because the guy is a punjabi? Get over your prejudices. And what about the PPP, that reduced Ahmadis to Qadianis? shouldnt the Ismailis be worried about their future now?

I sincerely hope that these "informed cynics" that you talk off actually do realize that people of the NWFP dont want the mullah, AS expressed by their vote. And for once just ONCE! ACCEPT the fact that we Pakistanis are capable of holding a free and fair election.

The last time our establishment came up with a "solution" for pukhtoon nationalism and pursued their quest of strategic depth, they ended up with stonings of Marathons and suicide bombings in Lahore. I am sure you dont want that to continue.

The victory of ANP in the NWFP is a victory of secularism and non-violence.

Adam,

My conclusion and suggestion is contained in the first line: make Asfandyar Wali Khan the prime minister of the federation and let him do all he wants to protect and secure the future of his constituents.

Buddy hold on. You are either very na?ve or you are very sinister. Nobody imposed Mufti Mahmood on you... He was always there. And the one person from the center who actually did impose Islam on NWFP ie zia is the same person all three generations of Bacha Khan's family kissed up to. Infact that brilliant Ghani Khan even graciously accepted the top state honor from Zia.

Ha ha. So the one time that ANP wins is the only time elections are fair. The elections were fair only to the extent that PPP + PmLs have gotten more seats and votes in Nwfp than the ANP in this election.

My conclusion is that people wanted the MMA out so they voted for ANP.

My conclusion is also that the khan family has a problem drawing the wrong lessons from the right places. Now if you read my previous article, I had predicted ANP's victory before the elections. So it is not about that.

So all I am saying is that Asfandyar and the ANP should become the consensus candidates for the mainstream nationalist parties. I am asking for pushtun nationalism becomes part of the Pakistan national pie instead of it being outside of it.

Now I know you have a problem accepting the facts, but the pakistani national identity I personally ascribe to is not islam oriented. Infact it is much more secular than the ANP's half baked reinvented secularism.

PS: My friend I hope you will read these following lines both from my last article and a few paragraphs from this article of mine:

http://www.chowk.com/articles/13582


"ANP has emerged as a regional and ethnic party committed to the federation of Pakistan which it feels should be inclusive and secular. None the less it is very clear about its role as a Pushtun-based party and has fielded only 142 candidates in the National and provincial assemblies predominantly in NWFP and pushtun dominated areas of Karachi and Balochistan. "

and the prediction:

"ANP: 5-20 seats in the National Assembly. Majority Party in NWFP"

I was on the dot. So I am not sure what it is about "just once" that you want me to accept.

Let me quote from this article now:

"Indeed ANP under him is perhaps far more consistently secular than before. Those of us not swayed by his appeals to Pushtun Nationalism consider ANP's victory an important step in the direction of a secular, democratic and federal Pakistan, as many- including Asfandyar's father Wali Khan- claim Jinnah wanted it to be. The point is whether the Pakistani nationalists will create an opportunity to bring in all sub-nationalisms into the greater fold of national unity? And more importantly, will Asfandyar Wali Khan realize that the vote that he got has little to do with Pushtun nationalism and more with his constructive social agenda which promises clean water and health care. "


So maybe you need to get over your prejudices and lack of appreciation for an accomodationist point of view instead of acting like a know-all which you certainly are not. Respectfully submitted ofcourse because I consider myself a fan of your writing otherwise.

PPS: And yes... I do also have a selfish interest in seeing Asfandyar Wali Khan as a PM. I feel that unless the PPP throws up Aitzaz Ahsan as a candidate, Asfandyar is the best hope for us moving towards that ever elusive secular vision which I feel (and you don't have to agree with me ) that the founder of this country had.

PPPS: And just one more point... you will realize that what I am suggesting is a much better and higher goal than ANP banding up as an an ally of the army-sponsored Islami Jamhoori Ittehad or being part of the same PML-N government which - as you have rightly pointed out- was well on its way to declare its leader the Ameer-ul-Momineen and which had earlier brought "death penalty" for Blasphemy in Pakistan.

Yasser:

In your second paragraph you mention some "informed cynics" who think that the ANP win is a "Grand Strategy!" in the war against terror. "Grand strategy" to me sounds like "rigging the election", these werent rigged elections... only the jihadi morons on this website might suggest that.. from you I expect much better.

You then warn people about the past of ANP

So make no mistake about it: The portrayal of ANP's victory NWFP as a victory for secularism and democracy in that province is perhaps too optimistic an analysis given the history.

and to make your argument you mention khan abdul jabbar khan and his republican party, while conveniently avoiding the fact that the Republican Party was opposed by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan himself. And what pains me is that you DO actually know that... so why would you say such things?

Speaking of democracy you also must know that the ANP along with the PML-N were the only two parties opposed to the takeover by Musharaf, at a time when Aitzaaz Ahsan, Qazi Hussain and Imran Khan were distributing sweets in the streets of Lahore.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, your measure of secularism are very selective. You dont care if Nawaz Sharif the almost ameer ul momineen sweeps through Punjab, but then you have qualms about the ANP's past!? I mean if you think in the bigger picture, and according to your standards of secularism, a staunch zia loyalist taking a majority in Punjab (60% of Pakistan) is a far bigger worry than the victory of the Soor Kafiraan (red infidels) in the NWFP.

See the thing with our country is that, thanks to the blasphemy laws, and the recent "death for apostasy law", the parameters of political debate has been set in such a way that no party can profess views that are completely secular on a western standard. So, considering our own Pakistani standards, the ANP is one of the most secular parties in the country at this time. Mentioning Fakir of ipi and Zia ul hag is not going to change that.

The question is, would he be able to quite Pashtoon nationalism banner and come under the Pakistani nationalism banner...
The case of energy amd development of new damns are also a major hurdle for Punjb to accept him as a new master.

Now let me state my points plainly because you are confusing the issues:

1. I don't at all admire Nawaz Sharif or his party. I don't know or why you got that impression. Infact, I have been opposing him through out for the very reason you mention. Infact I am sure many will confirm this when they read our interaction ... I certainly don't want Nawaz Sharif to be te PM. I will settle for Asfandyar as the PM.

2. The reason I used the word "cynics" is because I don't agree with them. Please read my predictions in my previous article. ANP's victory was on the cards and I predicted it. The reason I brought up for the informed cynics are saying is that Americans have a funny way of branding something like this later on and running with it which is why it is important for Asfandyar to be part of the government at the center with the most important role.

3. That said... Nawaz Sharif or Imran Khan never claimed to be secular. ANP has but ANP's record shows inconsistency. This must be pointed out.

4. The reason why ANP protested in 1999 was because ANP was part of the PML-N government and not in the opposition. ANP historically has been part of the the IJI opposition as well as the IJI government. So I am surprised that you are bringing this up as a counter-point.

5. Bacha Khan's opposition to Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan's joining the Republican Party is a fact. However, Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan is a political figure in his own right who the ANP quotes. His role is NOT very different mind you from the ANP's flirtations with Zia-ul-Haq and/or Nawaz Sharif.

6. ANP as it stands today is secular by any standards. As for "Death for apostasy law" ... surely you are aware of the fact that this law was not passed. As for blasphemy law ... yes. Ironic though that it was passed in a government with which ANP was allied.

nycoolest,

Yes. And on the converse side it may be suggested that he is the only leader who can deliver on the dams.

On the Pushtun nationalism bit: our friend Adam Khan doesn't understand or may be does not accept that accomodation does not mean accepting his version of history or his perspective in toto. (Which is why he has taken a perfectly valid article in favor of the ANP from a PPP/Muslim League perspective to be a conspiracy against all Pushtuns)...

Same goes the other way around for us.

in favour of the ANP!?!?

So make no mistake about it: The portrayal of ANP's victory NWFP as a victory for secularism and democracy in that province is perhaps too optimistic an analysis given the history. While many Pakistanis, including this author, rooted for the ANP's victory as a less bitter pill or simply the means of getting the Islamist MMA out of power in the frontier, to suggest that ANP has historically been consistently secular or democratic is not only naive but almost criminal when it comes to history.

Oh pai jaan, you are selectively quoting the article. Has it not occured to you that I do not agree with your version of history.

Read this bit:


Indeed ANP under him is perhaps far more consistently secular than before. Those of us not swayed by his appeals to Pushtun Nationalism consider ANP's victory an important step in the direction of a secular, democratic and federal Pakistan, as many- including Asfandyar's father Wali Khan- claim Jinnah wanted it to be. The point is whether the Pakistani nationalists will create an opportunity to bring in all sub-nationalisms into the greater fold of national unity? And more importantly, will Asfandyar Wali Khan realize that the vote that he got has little to do with Pushtun nationalism and more with his constructive social agenda which promises clean water and health care.


But I guess you want me to accept your (and ANP's) version of history and events as well... well thats not happening because I have huge disagreements with ANP's imagining of history.

You have to keep in mind that I am writing not as a Pushtun or an ANP supporter... but from a Pakistani nationalist's perspective.

nycoolest: the guy who raised the banner of punjabi nationalism "Jag punjabi jaag" has been consistently voted in by the punjabi masses. if you are taking punjabi nationalism as synonymous to pakistani nationalism then my friend you are sadly deluded.

Pukhtoons are Pakistanis and they dont have to learn punjabi to prove their loyalty to this country.

Re: # 13

Now that I can agree with you on.

A good admixture of left-handed compliments & misplaced hope.

First and foremost, ANP wudn't be under consideration for the PM post nor Mr. Khan wud jump in joy for such posts.

Mantolives never misses an opportunity to smear the memory of Badshah Khan and his politics. Nevertheless he needs his successor to lift the blockade of Ahmadis - all in the name of secularism.

(This article seem to be a payback for the discussion on this topic a few days ago on UP. Detailed post wud follow later tmrw.)

I am not smearing anyone's memory. Just jotting down some basic facts. Nor do I think Asfandyar is interested in lifting "any blockade" on anyone.

Also... this is not a payback for anything you write. I predicted ANP's victory before the elections and I was right.