When The People are
Empowered -letter
The
election and subsequent appointment of Muhammad Saleem Khan as
Provincial Minister for Population Welfare in the Govt. of NWFP has
revolutionized the political landscape of Chitral. Up till now only
traditional political elites used to be elected to public offices.
This time a commoner has been voted to power and befittingly on PPP
ticket. PPP has always claimed to represent and empower the poor.
But somehow it was unable to give tickets to poor candidates
presumably because of their perceived inability to pay for election
expenses. It’s therefore not surprising that PPP lost elections many
times in Chitral which is considered to be PPP’s second Larkana.
However with the increase in the political consciousness of the
people and self centered politics of self aggrandizement on part of
the traditional elites, the people decided that only a commoner can
serve them well. Moreover it is easier for them to connect with a
commoner for the solution of problems confronting the poor. A
commoner can give them sense of ownership and empowerment and this
sense was overwhelmingly evident during the first visit of Saleem
Khan to his constituency. I happened to accompany him to some place
to see for myself as to how the general public viewed the change.
Unlike his predecessors, Saleem Khan traveled to Chitral by road via
Lowari Pass, a route that has taken many lives including eight this
year alone. This gesture held more than symbolic meaning for
Chitralis and they responded to this by according unprecedented
historic welcome to Saleem Khan at the entry point to Chitral. He
was brought to Chitral city in a convoy of 500 vehicles. On the way
he got down from his vehicle to shake hands with every one who
happened to be on the road side to great him. In some places he
discarded official security to pick up students commuting their
homes and schools. The people felt elevated and empowered. Security
considerations were set aside to allow all and sundry to meet the
minister. No protocol was in sight. For the first time the people
had a genuine feeling that they had regained their self respect and
they have voted for a person who owns them and shares their pains as
well as pleasures.
During his ten day stay in Chitral I did not see him sleeping or
resting for more than four hours. He even did not spare time to meet
his aged father or visit his relatives. What impressed me the most
was his courteous and unassuming nature. One day He was invited by
local elite for dinner, which he accepted. Few hours later a veteran
but poor party worker met him and invited him to dinner. The
minister cancelled his dinner with the elite and decided to have
dinner with the party worker. I also accompanied him and we had to
walk for half an hour through narrow streets in pitched darkness
with the help of torch light to reach the party worker’s house. Some
one in the crowd commented that if it was the respect that PPP
accorded to an ordinary worker then we should all join this party.
I was appalled to note that no serious efforts have been made in the
past to solve the problems of the people. The minister was flooded
with applications containing problems that should have been resolved
long ago. Perhaps their elected representatives in the past lacked
serious commitment to solve their problems or were selective in
their approach. Most of the problems narrated to the Minister
appeared to have resulted from poor governance and corruption. He
even visited those areas which had not voted for him. He told the
people that development was their right and it should not be
bargained for vote. The Minister was right in saying that poor
governance and corruption was number one problem of Chitral. He
promised action to put things on track but the taste of pudding is
in the eating. Let us wait and see. There are reasons for hope.
Saleem’s election and induction in the cabinet has raised public
expectations to unprecedented level and it is the biggest challenge
for him. He has all the qualities to come up to public expectations
but how far and to what extent the party cooperates with him, will
determine his success in meeting public expectations. This will also
help strengthen PPP in Chitral..
Islamuddin,
Garam Chashma, Chitral.
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