Tuesday 29 August 2023

Attock - Jail & Politics : Part 2

Most politicians of Attock are mere stooges who have mortgaged their politics to perpetuate their corrupt practices. All of them are the same. If some are mentioned here, it wouldn’t mean rest were any better. In my early years, it was so hard to reconcile with the fact that imported PM Shoukat Aziz, even Pervez Elahi and son in law of Major Tahir Sadiq - none of whom belonged to Attock or have any business with the people of Attock- contested elections & got elected from Attock. The district was used by the powerful & their cohort outlanders like opulent hire escorts services for short stays in foreign lands. Let’s dissect one odd case. Take for example a local sample in Malik Amin Aslam. He has to be viewed as a mix of Hamza, Bilawal & Mariam however not as dumb as first & last among these three. For impoverished people of a far-flung district, Amin Aslam and likes become idols. People would give rave reviews about this ‘born politician’ for his family background, education and ability to speak well on environment. Let’s breakdown his credentials. Family background - his father Malik Muhammad Aslam had been in politics since Ayub Khan till Zia Ul Haq. Primarily, a man who kept his allegiance with the King’s Party. Amin Aslam married into political family of Gujrat and got ticket of Q league in Musharraf Reign. So, like father like son - he joined next ‘projec’ - PTI/IK, enjoyed ministerial status without being elected and jumped the ship on first given instance. Now his ability to speak on environment - for political elite, connections earn them a fortune.  There is little hesitation in investing in their education and ‘grooming’. Hence, a student of Alma Maters like Aitchison College, UET Lahore & Oxford UK, if he cannot speak on the ministry he heads then who will. Such tailor-made opportunists are ideal for the job. They are smart, presentable and above all ‘loyal’. Their ‘quality’ to switch hats when required or abandon the ship when directed makes them valuable assets.

At provincial level, Bukharis of PTI are also monitoring the situation closely and their first slice in Ijaz Bukhari & Khawar Bukhari have already held a press conference declaring disassociation with PTI. Funny enough, they are real cousins and uncle of Zulfi Bukhari, son of Wajid Bukhari who was imported from UK and bestowed upon two ministries in Musharraf Era. Rest is all clear and evident as daylight, how politics works in ours.

To conclude, Attock is Pakistan. The day fortunes of Attock changed, fortune of Pakistan will also change for good. When instead of making headlines for hosting ex PMs in its Fort or Jail, Attock grabbed headlines for its natural and human potential, the fortunes will change. Also next time, anyone who shows or shares the dream of change with this country and my district, political parties must give tickets to people with least amount of baggage (honest and less affluent) so that they stand the test of time.

May Allah change the fortunes of Attock and Pakistan for good. Ameen

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