Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the President of Pakistan People’s Party Punjab, was recently in the US on a visit to attend the National Prayer Breakfast. Mr. Qureshi is a veteran politician, contesting and winning local, provincial, and national elections from his home constituency in Multan. Hailing from a family of well known politicians and bureaucrats, Mr. Qureshi is no stranger to politics. Since completing his law degree from Cambridge University in 1983, he has been an active player in the political field, winning all but one election (in ’97 when his party, PPP, was at a strong disadvantage). He has served as the Minister for Planning & Development Punjab, Finance Minister Punjab, and Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. He has also served as Chairman District Council for Multan and the first District Nazim under the Musharraf administration.

In an exclusive Rendezvous with The Saturday Post, Mr. Qureshi talks about his own political career, the importance of the upcoming 2007 elections in Pakistan, and more… 

Let's start with the very basics, i.e. where were you born, where did you go to school, etc.?

I was born in a place called Murree; my family is from Multan which gets very hot in the summer. So the trend was to escape the heat and go to Murree for the summer and that’s where they were when I was born. I spent the first few years of my life in Multan and then went to Aitchison College Lahore, as a boarder. From K0 onwards, I was at Aitchison, so I’m a thoroughbred Aitchisonian. After Aitchison, I joined FC College for my bachelors. After my bachelors, I went to Corpus Christi College at Cambridge University in England to study law, and then went back to Pakistan.

Did you practice law when you returned to Pakistan?

I had no intentions of working as a lawyer; the reason I studied law was to familiarize myself with statutes and lawmaking, in preparation for a political career. I was very clear from day one that I wanted to go into politics. I got back to Pakistan in 1983, during General Zia’s era, right around the time when they were thinking of opening up the political process. There was an election in 1985, in which I contested and was elected to the Provincial Assembly. Ever since ’85 I’ve been in the political arena..

How would you summarize your political experience so far?

Personally it’s been very rewarding. I got a very lucky break in that I went straight from university into the career that I wanted. I mean there was a military government and it was entirely possible that I came back and there weren’t any elections for several years. But I was fortunate that within 2 years of my return, there was an election and I got the opportunity to officially start my political career. Since then, I have continued to get some great opportunities. As you know we have played a sort of musical chairs with governments being elected and dissolved over the last 20-25 years. I’ve remained politically active throughout, contesting and winning local, provincial, and national elections, holding ministerial appointments and representing my party in the government as well as the opposition. In 2002 I represented the PPP as their Prime Ministerial candidate against Mr. Jamali, which was a great honor for me. Of course we knew that the decision was already made and Mr. Jamali would be the Prime Minister, but still, it was an honor for me to be nominated by my party as their candidate for Prime Minister..

Why did you join the People’s Party? Was it because of family ties with the Party or some other reason? ?

My family has been affiliated with the party and there was a time away from the party as well, but it was definitely a personal choice for me. Firstly I was enamored by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto; as a child I used to attend his jalsaas and hear his speeches; he was very captivating; a true people’s leader. Secondly, I feel that this is the only party in the country which has grown from the grassroots and was not imposed from the top. The statement can be endorsed that despite every military dictator trying to undo the party, it still exists. Mr. Bhutto was hung in an unfair trial, the party was sacked over and over again, there were splits and splinters created within the party, the leadership was put into exile and not allowed to come back, but still the party is in tact! So it’s a grassroots party; it’s a large, liberal, and progressive party. It has roots all over the country and Azad Kashmir. For a person like me, with my frame of mind, my education and my background, this seemed like the most logical and sensible choice to make.

Let’s talk about this current trip to the US. The PPP leadership seems to be here in a large contingent, with Ms. Bhutto, Mr. Zardari, and yourself. What can you tell us about the purpose of this trip?

We were invited to the National Prayer Breakfast, which is a very large, bipartisan affair. A number of people are invited from the corporate sector as well as from overseas. Ms. Bhutto, Mr. Zardari and I were invited from the PPP. Mr. Zardari was already here, and Ms. Bhutto and I came from overseas to attend this breakfast. Now, naturally, when you are here, politicians do politics – (laughs) – they meet people and interact and exchange views, and so, we’ve been doing that as well..

Skeptics in Pakistan say that Pakistan’s leadership, government, and politics in general is determined by USA, or in other words “whatever USA wants will happen!” What is your position and opinion on this view??

I think it’s an exaggerated view. It’s not essential that whatever the US wants happens exactly like that. The US wanted a quick decisive action in Iraq but they are stuck and involved there even today– so it’s not like they can get whatever they want. At the same time, yes, USA is very powerful and influential. USA is the biggest global power not just militarily but economically as well. For a developing country like Pakistan, economics is very important; international financial institutions are important and they (USA) do have a say in the international financial institutions. So yes, they are important; and yes, they have influence over Pakistani politics. I will not deny that, I will not ignore that, but I will not be overpowered by that as well. We should not exaggerate their influence and on the other hand we should not overlook it either.

So what is the view or outlook for the 2007 election?

We are at a very important crossroads. If we take the right decisions we have the potential of developing and rising from where we are. If we make the wrong decisions we are at the risk of losing whatever we have left. If you look at Baluchistan and the semi-insurgency, this is serious business. If you look at institutions in the tribal belt and the frontier province, it is worrying. Even Sindh! So 2007 is going to be as important as the 1970 election, which was a watershed in Pakistani politics. It set a new tone to Pakistani politics – the awami style! Before that we had the Electoral College electing members of the parliament, but in 1970, it was one man, one vote. Tonga drivers, farmers, blue collar factory workers, men and women, all had a say and that changed the political style! It went from the drawing room to public meetings and jalsaas, and introducing policies which attract the public. It also had an impact on the country – the West gave one mandate and the East gave another. Everyone in Pakistan realizes the similar importance of the 2007 elections, including General Musharraf; he’s been saying that 2007 will be the mother of all elections, and I agree with that...it is a very critical election for our country's future.

Almost every election in Pakistan is called unfair or rigged by the opposition. Is the outlook for the 2007 elections any different? Is it even possible to have a “true and fair election” in Pakistan?

1970…that was a fair election. After that we have had elections with varying degrees of fairness. Some were completely unfair and some had some elements of fairness. I had had a meeting with the Election Commissioner as part of a delegation, and we told him that the recent track record of the election commission has been a poor one. We don’t want to be critical for the sake of criticizing. We gave a 36 point proposal to the election commission that makes recommendations on how the election can be made fair. Let’s see what happens! Whether Ms. Bhutto is allowed to come back and contest; if PPP is allowed to contest in a free and open environment; it remains to be seen. We are trying to get international observers in there. We want to let a third party, sitting as observers, give their verdict whether it is a fair election or not. It’s an important election and if Pakistani people are denied the opportunity for this democratic process, I see political chaos. As a Pakistani I don’t want that. I want growth in Pakistan. Pakistan has serious economic and social issues: education, health, electricity, drinking water, sanitation. These issues need resolution and how are we going to resolve them if we are constantly fighting over uniforms and democracy?

So what happens if 2007 is a repeat of the past election process failures?

I personally feel Pakistanis are very capable people; we are full of promise and potential, adventurous, go-getters! Even the semi-skilled less educated masses have done wonders in the Middle East. The higher educated and skilled classes have accomplished a lot in other regions like the USA. So I feel that if God forbid, these people are not respected and given a say in deciding for themselves in 2007, we are in for very troubled times. I see political uncertainty, turmoil and instability. The effect that will have on the economy and law and order, you can understand as an educated person what I mean. People will either build faith or lose faith. If God forbid again it’s a rigged election then people will lose faith in the ballot box, and start thinking of other mechanisms of being heard and making their presence felt! And when that happens people turn towards extremism and militancy and I think we should stay away from militancy and extremism.

Will people really come out to vote? Would they be interested after so many elections that have ended in dissolution?

I cannot say that with certainty. The political field is divided. One class feels that all political activity is futile because the government won’t allow the political process so let’s take to the streets and topple the government. Then there is the other school of thought that I prescribe to as well, which is to engage positively with the government and the international body to encourage and allow the political process to continue. Gen. Musharraf has said he wants to hold free and fair elections; Mr. Bush has expressed his interest in seeing fair and free elections; it all depends on the kind of care taker arrangement, the election commission’s autonomy, the judiciary’s role. Provided that the political masters allow them, they are fully capable of holding free and fair elections.

People within and outside Pakistan can help build international public opinion and interest in promoting free and fair elections. You sitting here in the US can lobby for funds and observers to create that open environment that we need in Pakistan for an open election. Civil society cannot sit back and comment anymore; they have to get out and speak up. They have to play a role. The NGOs have to play a role. The Press has to play a role. All these factions have to work together to promote public interest, activity, and involvement with the elections process.

Why should the Pakistani people place their trust in yet another democratic government when the past governments haven’t done a whole lot to gain that trust?

It’s debatable what they have or haven’t done. My counter question is what have military governments done? For over 30 years we’ve been under military rule. What have they done? Saying this is not enough. I can list 21 things that the military governments have done which have not gone well for the country. My point is that okay, if they haven’t done enough, or have mishandled things, then allow the people to vote them out. You can’t throw out governments and shut the parliament’s doors to the people of Pakistan. Allow the democratic process to grow and mature to the level where people can vote the governments in and out based on their performance.

What is your strongest criticism of President Musharraf other than the obvious that he is not democratically elected, still wears his military uniform, etc.?

He has failed to deliver! How? Look at the international press today – the war on terror – it’s very important to the average international citizen. Today, it’s not clear what Pakistan has or hasn’t done. Look at respected journalistic outlets and see what they are saying and what the administration is saying…“Do more!” Clearly they don’t think we have done enough whereas we say we are doing a lot. Then look at the economic front. We have a historic trade deficit; our fiscal deficit is rising; government borrowing is on the rise; we have double digit inflation; unemployment is on the rise; investment is not taking place; agricultural production is stagnant; the ordinary man and the middle class salaried income people are worse than they’ve ever been. On the political front, the polarization is very strong; look at what is happening in Baluchistan and to an extent in Sindh and NWFP. On the social front look at the condition of women; the law and order situation; sectarian violence is on the rise again. Look at the performance on accountability and corruption! They claim to cleanse the system and a lot of the people with corruption cases are facing corruption charges in courts and are current incumbents in this government. Despite a historically large quorum they cannot pass legislation; the political process is just not working. All these are indicators of failure.

Who will be the PPP’s candidate for Prime Minister in 2007?

Benazir Bhutto is the party’s unanimous choice for the Prime Minister post. That decision has been taken. She will be back in Pakistan before the election and will lead the PPP and its cabinet.

What about the corruption charges against Ms. Bhutto?

We will face them. We feel they are all phony charges. Seven years is no mean time. They have had all the power and have spent millions of rupees on propaganda, mudslinging and character assassination; what have they achieved? Not a single case has been proven against us. I believe that in the eyes of the people she has already sailed through and if we don’t have kangaroo courts she will sail through the legal battle as well.

What will be different this time about PPP or Ms. Bhutto’s strategy; why should people vote for the PPP?

If there is a political party that can deliver in today’s environment then it’s the people’s party. There are certain expectations from Pakistan – from its people, institutions, and the world. If there is a leadership that can come close to meeting those expectations, it is the PPP. Name me any other party that is capable of doing that!

Anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

I would say that give us your support – if you are seeing the right things. Be objective, be critical! We are no angels, we need guidance! We have very capable expatriates and Pakistanis living abroad. If PPP comes into office we would like to benefit from their experience and expertise. We would like to put together think tanks; Pakistanis are very capable and are contributing to international institutions so why not give them the mechanism to contribute back to their country of origin? So have a wonderful time here, I wish Pakistanis in the US, and all over the world, success and happy families; but keep thinking of Pakistan. You have to keep the connection; don’t isolate us or yourselves. Yes, you can be American citizens, and I wish you the best, but you have a stake in Pakistan so don’t give it up!