Analysing the ANP's victory
One of the talking points from the elections so far has been ANP's victory in the NWFP. I'm extremely happy that the ANP has won. Even more so by the fact that the MMA lost. I'll take a party founded on ethnic and provincial lines over one that believes that it is doing God's work; especially in the current climate.
The ANP is touting this as a victory for its ideology. But is it? I really hope so, but I'm not so convinced. The MMA's fall from grace is based largely on two factors 1) Internal spats and disintegration and 2) the MMA's support of Musharraf.
These factors were compounded by the low voter turn out that is likely to have kept disinterested MMA supporters at home. Furthermore, tribal elders who supported the MMA, no longer saw it as a viable Islamic party owing to its support for Musharraf and, by default, U.S.A. These guys are likely to throw their weight behind radicals like the Pakistani Taliban who don't really stand in elections.
So while the ANP may have won, it may not have the support that it claims to have. But you know what, I don't care. The problems facing the NWFP will take an enormous resolve and I'd prefer in power a party that at least recognises that there is a problem rather than one that exacerbates it.
It should, hopefully, also have support from the centre where the PPP seems serious about tackling the issue. But I really do hope that this issue does not become a casualty of a national coalition. The Tableeghi Sheriff's of Raiwind do like doing God's work; it is after all the only way of becoming Ameer-ul-Momineen.
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P.S.
I think it's about time we allowed the people of NWFP to rename their province. Imagine having four children namely Babra, Reema, Meera and Brown Boy Youngest of Four born in Room 3 AKU Maternity Ward; now Brown Boy Youngest of four born in Room 3 AKU Maternity Ward is bound to feel like a leper! He may even want to change his name to Amjad. Shouldn't we afford him the respect of being an Amjad?
The ANP is touting this as a victory for its ideology. But is it? I really hope so, but I'm not so convinced. The MMA's fall from grace is based largely on two factors 1) Internal spats and disintegration and 2) the MMA's support of Musharraf.
These factors were compounded by the low voter turn out that is likely to have kept disinterested MMA supporters at home. Furthermore, tribal elders who supported the MMA, no longer saw it as a viable Islamic party owing to its support for Musharraf and, by default, U.S.A. These guys are likely to throw their weight behind radicals like the Pakistani Taliban who don't really stand in elections.
So while the ANP may have won, it may not have the support that it claims to have. But you know what, I don't care. The problems facing the NWFP will take an enormous resolve and I'd prefer in power a party that at least recognises that there is a problem rather than one that exacerbates it.
It should, hopefully, also have support from the centre where the PPP seems serious about tackling the issue. But I really do hope that this issue does not become a casualty of a national coalition. The Tableeghi Sheriff's of Raiwind do like doing God's work; it is after all the only way of becoming Ameer-ul-Momineen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S.
I think it's about time we allowed the people of NWFP to rename their province. Imagine having four children namely Babra, Reema, Meera and Brown Boy Youngest of Four born in Room 3 AKU Maternity Ward; now Brown Boy Youngest of four born in Room 3 AKU Maternity Ward is bound to feel like a leper! He may even want to change his name to Amjad. Shouldn't we afford him the respect of being an Amjad?
Labels:
Minority Reports,
Pakistan
7 comments:
"I think it's about time we allowed the people of NWFP to rename their province. Imagine having four children namely Babra, Reema, Meera and Brown Boy Youngest of Four born in Room 3 AKU Maternity Ward; now Brown Boy Youngest of four born in Room 3 AKU Maternity Ward is bound to feel like a leper! He may even want to change his name to Amjad. Shouldn't we afford him the respect of being an Amjad?"
What the??
what... you don't like the name amjad?
Being primarily nationalistic, ANP just might be the one player in the whole tackling-extremist-issue with all the cards. If they can manage to attain the trust of the tribal elders (which is not impossible for THEM, but impossible for everyone else), Wali and co just might manage to turn them around on the whole issue. If nothing else they're a significant addition to any diplomatic convoy's that might be sent.
Whether they'd want to do that is up for debate.
I'm all up for the NWFP name change too, but frankly it isn't that big of a deal. A lot of pathans aren't as bothered by it as is made out.
Plus, as long as they don't try to name it Afghania like the MMA did :S
@ anon
Just trying to highlight the absurdity of a province named NWFP.
@ asfand
I agree that the ANP is better placed to find a solution to the extremist problem. I think changing the name of NWFP would give them more leverage and perhaps allow them to unite the province. Militancy seems to thrive when we have competing, distrusting tribes.
I also don't think that they don't care about the whole name thing. If they didn't, then Asfandyar Wali would not have raised the issue in his victory speech as he did.
Im going to name my very first son 'Brown Boy Youngest of four born in Room 3 AKU Maternity Ward/'. Thank you AKS.
you don't see many men clad in the pant-shirt attire in nwfp.....they frown upon it conservative style. so.. like a rose by another name would still be as sweet..or thorny?
A resolution on renaming of the province as Pakhtoonkhwa was passed by majority in the NWFP assembly on Nov 13 1997. The Pakhtunkhwa resolution, was supported by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Jamiat Ulema-i- Islam (JUI) (F) while the PML (N) abstained. It was opposed only by two members from the PML (J) Salim Saifullah and Humayun Saifullah.
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