Taajir Inquilabi is a passionate man. As a senior member of one of the nation’s largest political parties, he is busy traversing the country trying to lock in potential candidates for next year’s general elections. His party is looking to consolidate its position in its traditional constituencies and forge new alliances in areas where it needs support.

As a former banker and finance guru, Inquilabi is new to the field of politics. However, his strong belief in the righteousness of his cause and his conviction that only his party can set the country right has garnered him admirers in gated communities all across the country.

EOS sat down with Inquilabi for a tкte-а-tкte at his modest 28-acre hacienda in Bani Gala.

EOS: You were a successful financial consultant till a few years ago. What made you join politics?

Inquilabi: I was living in Dubai when the last general elections were held. There was so much jazba amongst our friends. One day I came home to find my wife watching live coverage of a jalsa where she spotted her entire LUMS MBA class in the VIP section. We were transfixed by what we saw. It was at that very moment that I knew my life would never be the same again. 

We were committed and prepared to make sacrifices. Despite not finding seats in First or even Business Class, we flew economy to Lahore just so we could cast our votes in those elections. What a magical, revolutionary time it was!

Unfortunately, these days every Tom, Dick and Haroon thinks he knows everything there is to know about finance. People read a couple of ‘forwarded as received’ messages from unverified sources, watch some Youtube ‘documentaries’ on global economy, and think they know what’s what.

However, we were utterly disappointed with the results. I realised then that in order to bring about a real revolution, one had to become a revolutionaire oneself. And following in the footsteps of our party chairperson, I decided I would be nothing but revolting from here on end.

EOS: Are you the first to join politics in your family?

Inquilabi: Yes. Unlike most of our political class, I don’t come from an elite, Aitchisonian background. I’m a mazdoor aadmi from a humble background who lived in remote areas…

EOS: But wasn’t your father a general? Didn’t you grow up in cantonments across the country?

Inquilabi: Yes, but unlike many of my friends’ families, mine could never afford a beach hut on Hawke’s Bay.

Anyway, after my MBA from IBA, I worked as an investment banker in the Gulf, following which I moved to Singapore, New York and then Toronto (for my passport). Deep down inside, I always knew I was revolting. So, after 20-plus years in banking, I felt compelled to do something different, something revolutionary that would make a difference in the lives of ordinary folk in Pakistan. So I set up my own financial consultancy firm, with offices in Singapore, New York and Toronto.

Unfortunately, these days every Tom, Dick and Haroon thinks he knows everything there is to know about finance. People read a couple of ‘forwarded as received’ messages from unverified sources, watch some YouTube ‘documentaries’ on global economy, and think they know what’s what. People do not understand that one needs proper qualifications, plus years of practical experience, to even make an educated guess. But here everyone’s an expert!

EOS: You think the same criteria should apply to those aspiring to become politicians?

Inquilabi: Well, that’s completely different. Fields such as politics, social work, media and journalism are basically about ‘management’ so anyone with a business background can succeed in them since they have the requisite management experience. However, one must continue to learn and educate oneself in these subjects. I, for one, spend at least eight hours a day learning about history and global politics from TV talk shows and WhatsApp messages. 

I am lucky as all my friends in the world of finance are dead against the status quo. All our lives we have striven to change the system. In every multinational that we have worked in — especially those fined hundreds of millions of dollars for money laundering, bribery and wiping out indigenous communities — we have shaken the system right after walking out with our six-figure annual bonuses. We have always been mavericks, we have always been revolting!

The world is changing now. Ordinary people with modest backgrounds, such as myself, are coming forward to clean up this dirty pool called politics. I tell you, CEOs from the private sector can fix everything, because we have the necessary experience, humility and good intentions. One can already see the difference in the US.

I believe Donald Trump is deeply misunderstood. For all his so-called faults, at least the man speaks the truth! I can understand his frustration because, like me, he is such an anti-status quo guy … the establishment hates him because deep down inside, he is a real revolutionary. You see, like me and my anti-status quo party colleagues, he, too, is truly revolting!

Farid Alvie was born. He currently lives.
He tweets @faridalvie

Published in Dawn, EOS, May 21st, 2017