Interesting statement by PM Jamali, it must have annoyed many people in the government.
Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, the 20th Prime Minister of Pakistan, began his political career as a member of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which he joined in the 1970s. He was elected to the Baluchistan Provincial Assembly in 1977. In the 1980s, he served in the national Cabinet of General Zia-ul-Haq, where he first served as the Provincial Minister for Information, Law and Parliamentary Affairs and later as Minister of State for Local Government.
Jamali was one of the contenders for premiership in the 1985 elections along with Muhammad Khan Junejo and Ilahi Bux Soomro. General Zia chose Junejo. Jamali served in the Junejo Ministry as Minister for Water and Power.
In an interview to Mohammad Shehzad on January 29 in the backdrop of the improving India-Pakistan relations, Jamali talks about his socio-political outlook, the Kashmir situation and, importantly, the need for India and Pakistan to shed their egos in order to achieve the bigger goal of peace. Excerpts:
You come from a place [Baluchistan] that is known for feuds. But the Jamali tribe is reputed to be a peaceful one. What is the secret behind this?
Education and upbringing. My ancestors laid strong emphasis on good education and upbringing. The first batch of educated people in our family dates back to 1939. Moreover, people of our family have been like saints. My great grandfather Sakhee Durmohamamd Jamali was known for his sakhawat [generosity]. So, the family inherited sakhawat.
I got the best education. As far as feuds, violence, and clashes are concerned, these are part of tribal culture. My uncle Mir Jafar Khan Jamali was a man of vision. We call him the Renaissance Man since he introduced education in our tribe. He joined politics and worked closely with [Mohammad Ali] Jinnah. He motivated the poor towards education. This is the secret.
Should not these qualities be part of our political outlook?
I am on record as saying that a transparent system of accountability will change our corrupt political culture within 10 years… the public will start respecting politicians. I believe I am a trendsetter; one must practise what one preaches. To the best of my ability, I have worked with full honesty, patience, tolerance and gentleness to set an example. We don’t pick quarrels with others. We don’t resort to backbiting. I believe people have started feeling this change.
You have seen good times when society was tolerant. Today, it is intolerant. The hate element is visible in our textbooks. Do you think this hate element is the reason for the growing intolerance and extremism in society?
I have also seen bad times. I used to play hockey. Sports give you three lessons in life. When you win, you should be humble. When you lose, you should learn from your mistakes. At times you draw and become even. Education is not only reading books. Education in my view is taleem [education] and tarbiat [upbringing]. Textbooks and teachers give you education but upbringing comes from parents. Upbringing would have a strong impact on the person.
Pakistani textbooks demonise Indians; even a man like Mahatma Gandhi is depicted as an evil.
I don’t agree. Mahatma Gandhi played his role and it was appreciated all over the world.
Is the two-nation theory still valid? If so, then to which nation do the Muslims of India belong? And what is the status of non-Muslims of Pakistan?
I think the two-nation theory has become a one-nation theory. It was over half a century ago. And whichever nation is there, that is there today.
The first head of the Pakistan Muslim League, Chaudhary Khaliq-uz-Zaman, wrote in his autobiography Pathway to Pakistan that the two-nation theory has proved injurious to Indian Muslims.
Many Muslims were left behind in India. They suffered a lot then. They had contributed a lot for the creation of Pakistan. Owing to the conditions and circumstances, they could not make it to this country. Naturally, they had to suffer because they were held responsible for the creation of this country.
