Political leaders in Pakistan seldom write books for fear of making commitments on issues of public interest. They generally think that their writings would expose them more than they would like to. Some of them suffer from the contradictions within themselves and are aware of the damage such a situation causes. The exposure of contradictions in the personality of a political leader to his followers, through his writings on the one hand and through his deeds on the other, has always been an effective mix to bring about an end to glittering political careers of many.
There is another set of political leaders who remain unsure of their future or future of the party they belong to and find it a futile exercise to write a book or an article that establishes their relationships with their party in a defined manner. Change of loyalty among the politicians in the name of national interest is another factor that gives rise to floor crossing and seat swapping and, therefore, serves as a deterrent against coming out with facts.
In the obtaining political merchandizing, in commerce and trade jargons - hostile takeover, acquisition and merger of political parties - has given a completely new dimension to the national and regional politics where the guiding principle is not the welfare of the party well-wishers but support to the establishment that matters. This phenomenon has completely changed the meaning of politics in Pakistan and has shattered all hopes of a better future.
These three broadly categorized sets of political leanings are however, not to be stigmatized in isolation for their despicable behavioural pattern, as they are the creations of political vacuum in Pakistan that has a history of restless fifty-six years Pakistan has lived through.
During these uncertain years Pakistan lost its East wing. The uncertainty also gave rise to religious intolerance, sectarian violence, and welcomed perpetuation of military rule and neglect of civil liberties. To add more miseries to the life of the "ordinary people" civil bureaucracy joined hands with multinational donors and international financial institutions in putting on stake the honour of the people and profiting on the lost self-esteem of the Pakistani nation.
A political leader would, therefore, need moral courage to write about contretemps that have harmed Pakistan over these many years. The few autobiographical sketches that have been done by the Pakistani politicians or heads of the state belong to a different class of writing than books on critical evaluation of issues that concern common man. These biographies, however, have their own merits and demerits and now call for critical and objective reviews.
Pakistan Ki Azadi Key Pachas Baras - Kiya khoya Kiya Paya - is a collection of articles Altaf Hussain, Quaid, Muttehida Qaumi Movement, has been contributing to different newspapers between 1997-2001, is an account, in brief, as to who contributed what to force Pakistan into the existing state of uncertainty. This is a valuable book by a popular leader of the third largest political party of Pakistan.
In this book the reader would find a frank discussion on how once upon a time the landed aristocracy, civil and military bureaucracy and unscrupulous political leaders joined hands to deny rights to the majority province and collaborated with each other in the dismemberment of Pakistan.
There is a vivid account of helplessness and despondency of the people who were from smaller provinces and usurpation of their rights by the powerful people who were uncertain of the future of Pakistan and wanted to loot as much as possible and save it for the bad days that might befall on them. Altaf, Hussain is vocal in asking for an end to the present system in which only the rich have the right to rule and enslave the poor for many more years.
Altaf Hussain has strongly advocated the case of equal distribution of national wealth and resources, creating provision of equal opportunities for employment and recognition of civil liberties for the people of Pakistan. Citing from the case of dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971 and coming into being of Bangladesh he says, " the denial of rights has its own consequences and it should be recognized that it is fatal for the stability of a government howsoever well-trenched it is."
Chapter 6 "Pakistan Kyuon tota", chapter 7 "Nainsafian: Adad-o-shumar kay aienay main" and chapter 8 "Pakistan kahan khara hai" deals with realities that have been ignored by the people of Pakistan and need to be read with reference to the kind of politics still being favoured by many politicians and political thinkers. Conclusions the writer has drawn are bitter but have to be accepted with a pinch of salt. Altaf Hussain has grip over his subject and knows how to effectively present his case on his behalf and on behalf of his followers. His target is only the middle class urban and rural population whose sufferings have brought him in the main stream politics. He wants change in the existing system of social justice which has not been of any use in the recent past.
For one it is not necessary to agree with the views of Altaf Hussain but to find out an alternative to his ideas of improvement in the lives of the common man is also hard to find. However, there should not be two opinions when Altaf Hussain says that a prosperous Pakistan would mean a Pakistan free from the clutches of corrupt landed aristocracy, civil and military bureaucracy and politicians.
"Pakistan Ki Azadi Key Pchas Baras: Kiya Khoya Kiya Paya" is a valuable document. It is a welcome addition of historical notes to the repository of similar literature in the Pakistani archives that would help compile a true account of the reawakening of the Pakistani nation to its misfortune. The writer deserves appreciation. Those who hold a different view than those of Altaf Hussain now have a document to answer.
The quality of paper, printing and editing is good.
Name of the book: Pakistan Ki Azadi Key Pachas Baras
Name of the writer: Altaf Hussain
Publishers: MQM International Secretariat, Elizabeth House, First Floor 54-58 High Street Edgware Middlesez, HA 87 EJ
Email: mqm@mqm.org
Distributor: Welcome Book Port (Pvt.) Ltd. Main Urdu Bazar, Karachi
Pages: 126
Price: 125