Pakistan 'People’s Party'

A stomach-churning event is billed to take place in Birmingham on Saturday. Bilawal ‘Bhutto’ Zardari (the middle name was hastily added following the assassination of his mother), will assume political duties, now that he has graduated. I say stomach-churning because the very idea of dynastic politics, where an aristocratic leader class is groomed in Platonic fashion, is against the spirit of democracy. Add to that the fact that Bilawal, who has spent most of his time outside Pakistan, has very little in common with the Pakistani masses. Even now he will spend most of his time in Dubai.

The event is being promoted as a chance for Bilawal’s father, Mr Ten Per cent, to meet with British Pakistanis. In reality the audience will be composed of die-hard People’s Party supporters. I have yet to come across a British Pakistani who does not add an expletive when uttering the president’s name. No doubt sycophants will be on hand at the event to drown the president in praise. Flattery is commonplace in Pakistani politics, but it is particularly pronounced in the ‘People’s Party.’ That accounts for the fact that several not-so-able people have been given ministerial portfolios by the federal government.

But the flatterers will be plain wrong. This is the most corrupt politician Pakistan has ever had – and that is saying something, because corruption has been endemic in Pakistan for decades. For example, initially he denied ownership of the 335-acre Rockwood House in Surrey, reportedly bought for 4 million pounds. According to the Telegraph, he proclaimed: “How can anyone think of buying a mansion in England when people in Pakistan don’t even have a roof over their heads?” The Telegraphs adds: “It was only after the house had been sold and the Pakistani authorities tried to seize some of the money that he acknowledged his ownership.”

Zardari is a far cry from the patrician Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who, by instinct an autocrat, at least possessed tremendous charisma, leadership qualities and intellect. Pakistan would possibly be a better place now if Bhutto possessed these qualities without an equally strong hunger for power.

Both father and son should be in Pakistan, meeting the millions of victims of the floods.