| Change we need Friday, November 14, 2008 by Harris Khalique
The result of the US elections instils a new hope in me and reaffirms my belief in democracy. This feeling is shared with the vast majority of Americans and non-Americans living across different continents. Some of us who live in Islamabad had the opportunity to watch the results coming and the announcements being made live from the US in the backyard of the US embassy over breakfast, courtesy Ambassador Anne Patterson and her able staff from the political section. Tears rolled down the cheeks of many when it was declared that Obama had won and people felt as if they were a part of the crowd that had gathered in Chicago to greet the new president and listen to his speech. President-elect Obama said that what makes America great is not its wealth or fire power but its democratic values. In Pakistan, we look forward to see him translate his words into the new American policy and apply it evenly to all nations. Some months ago when Ambassador Patterson was heard contemplating about why there is so much Anti-Americanism in sections of Pakistani population, I am not sure if someone told her that it was due to the US supporting dictatorships and corrupt leaders across the third world including Pakistan in order to pursue its military and economic interests. It is about time that American leadership negotiates a new vision and shares this planet on equal terms with other people. This is the only way through which their pre-eminence in the comity of nations will remain unchallenged.
And like the rest of the third world, Pakistan also will not become peaceful without bringing an end to injustice, poverty, bigotry and ignorance. To this end, a new initiative has been formally launched last weekend in Rawalpindi, the founding conference of a new country-wide political party, named the Awami Party Pakistan. It was attended by a wide cross section of people from all over Pakistan including peasants, workers, activists, lawyers, teachers, journalists, businessmen and progressive political workers. The participants discussed the objectives and framework for the party manifesto and took decisions regarding the future course of action. The first declaration of the party clearly spelt out that the party will pursue policies based on equality and social justice. It will develop a strong economy based on egalitarian principles. The party will adopt an independent foreign policy and conditions will be created to ensure that direct and indirect military interventions are eliminated. Simultaneously, an end to militancy, sectarianism and religious extremism will be ensured. Agricultural reforms including land redistribution and growth in agricultural produce will be undertaken. Industrial development especially from national entrepreneurs but also from international investors on terms favourable to Pakistan will be encouraged, but without ever compromising labour rights. Quality education without discrimination and a uniform standard of education for all children will be ensured irrespective of their economic status. Health, housing and fundamental municipal services will be provided. All discriminatory laws against women and religious minorities will be repealed. FCR will be abolished. Overseas Pakistanis will be given the right to vote.
More than 300 women and men who attended the conference decided to hold a national party convention within one year. In the meanwhile, intensive mobilization will be undertaken and a collective leadership fostered. Dr Hasan Nasir was elected to remain the interim convener while proper elections for the leadership would take place at the convention later next year. What our pundits seek now is 'change' as in 'spare change' in their begging bowls. What we need is change, real change from what we have been subjected to as a people since 1947
The writer is an Islamabad-based poet and rights campaigner. Email: harris@spopk.org
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