Articles of the year 2021

Since independence we are the victims of a political system which has in 75 years almost bankrupted the nation caused by a succession of rulers more stupid then their predecessors. Ayub Khan benefitted from a group of ICS officers who ran a very successful Pakistan which saw the best ten years of progress. When Bhutto was inducted his political ambition was beyond his ability and he chose to start by breaking up Pakistan as he could not serve under Mujib ur Rehman who was the rightfully elected Prime minister. Bhutto had conspired with Gul Hassan and Abdur Rahim Khan to dislodge Yahya Khan. He had convinced Ayub Khan to engage in the 1965 war that was disastrous and led to Indira’s revenge in creating an independent Bangladesh. Bhutto and Indira were both responsible for the creation of Bangladesh. Bhutto may have been a brilliant individual but his team was mediocre and he lasted a scant six years.

In a country’s life this is minuscule. Bhutto’s team of mediocrity brought about his downfall. He should have been removed after the Simla Accord which was a humiliating trauma unnecessary for Pakistan. Indira looked on in contempt while Bhutto had to grovel and pick up the pieces. After only six years of his incompetent team events led to a coup and produced a leader in General Zia who was used brilliantly to destroy the mighty Soviet empire. This was his only achievement and he was removed before he could reach for other goals. General Zia did favor Nawaz Sharif who brought a new level of mediocrity into Pakistani politics. Along with Zardari for thirty years they looted Pakistan, and their teams were remarkable in terms of paucity in IQ.

Eventually this led to Imran Khan who had the right credentials and he was onset. However it seems all people in politics who have risen to the top are so wealthy that they can buy themselves out of jail and into power. This is the position facing Imran Khan. Unless he unleashes a revolution to cleanse the system which is broken beyond repair. It cannot be fixed but must be repaired. However, first he must get a team together. As a leader, he is perfect but as a selector he falls woefully short. He can pick from anywhere in the world and they will make it happen for him. Today the world awaits his choice of team. He cannot lose.
The losers are packed tightly in the PML N and PPP ranks with court cases that will last them many years. Look outside Pakistan. Just beware of mediocrity.