Altafs and Asifs, Bhuttos and Bugtis, Chattas and Cheemas, Domkis and Dildars, Ejazes and Elahis, Faisals and Fahims, Ghouses and Ghandapurs, Hakims and Hashmis, Ishrats and Ibads, Jatois and Jamalis, Khars and Khans, Liaquats and Lalekas, Mians and Mahars, Niazis and Nazirs, Osmans and Omars, Pirs and Parachas, Qadirs and Qaims, Rafiqs and Rajas, Shujaats and Sheikhs, Talpurs and Tiwanas, Usmans and Ullahs, Virks and Viqars, Walis and Waseems, Yusufs and Yars, Zardaris and Zahoors - such are the names that resound through political corridors, names without end, amen.
Do these familiar names mirror for us good governance, soundness of mind and spirit, forthrightness, honesty, ability, aptitude, genius, intellectualism, education, erudition, quick thinking, and the other many characteristics expected of those who occupy seats of power? No, their names conjure up corruption, nepotism, fanaticism, bigotry, blackmailing, bargaining, larceny, thievery, extortion, stupidity, dishonesty, ineptitude, dullness of mind and soul, and even murder.
At exactly what do we look ahead? Do we have anything to which it would be prudent to look forward? I asked these questions of my legal adviser and my lawyer, protector of the rights of the people, Barrister Gilbert Naim-ur-Rahman of the third generation of men of the legal profession who have honestly served Pakistan to the best of their abilities. Read Dickens, he told me, open up your 'Bleak House' and refer to the chapter entitled 'On the watch'. I so did, and fell upon the following passages:
"Then there is my Lord Boodle, of considerable reputation with his party, who has known what office is, and who tells Sir Leicester Dedlock with much gravity, after dinner, that he really does not see to what the present age is tending. A debate is not what a debate used to be; the House is not what the House used to be; even a Cabinet is not what it formerly was. He perceives with astonishment, that supposing the present Government to be overthrown, the limited choice of the Crown, in the formation of a new Ministry, would lie between Lord Coodle and Sir Thomas Doodle - supposing it to be impossible for the Duke of Foodle to act with Goodle, which may be assumed to be the case in consequence of the breach arising out of that affair with Hoodle.
"Then giving the Home Department and the Leadership of the House to Joodle, the Exchequer to Koodle, the Colonies to Loodle, and the Foreign Office to Moodle, what are you to do with Noodle? You can't offer him the Presidency of the Council; that is reserved for Poodle. You can't put him in the Woods and Forests; that is hardly good enough for Quoodle. What follows? That the country is shipwrecked, lost, and gone to pieces (as is made manifest to the Patriotism of Sir Leicester Dedlock), because you can't provide for Noodle!
"On the other hand, the Right Honourable William Buffy, MP, contends across the table with some one else that the shipwreck of the country - about which there is no doubt; it is only the manner of it that is in question - is attributable to Cuffy. If you had done with Cuffy what you ought to have done when he first came into Parliament, and had prevented him from going over to Duffy, you would have got him into alliance with Fuffy, you would have had with you the weight attaching as a smart debater to Guffy, you would have brought to bear upon the elections the wealth of Huffy, you would have got in for three counties, Juffy, Kuffy, and Luffy, and you would have strengthened your administration by the official knowledge and the business habits of Muffy. All this, instead of being as you now are, dependent on the mere caprice of Puffy!
"As to this point, and as to some minor topics, there are differences of opinion; but it is perfectly clear to the brilliant and distinguished circle, all round, that nobody is in question but Boodle and his retinue, and Buffy and his retinue. These are the great actors for whom the stage is reserved. A People there are, no doubt - a certain large number of supernumeraries, who are to be occasionally addressed, and relied upon for shouts and choruses, as on the theatrical stage; but Boodle and Buffy, their followers and families, their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, are the born first-actors, managers, and leaders, and no others can appear upon the scene for ever and ever." (Serialized in monthly instalments from 1852-53 and then published as a book).
A century and a half ago it was when this was written, when Britain was strong and powerful, well on its way to ruling the world and establishing its empire upon which the sun never set. But such was the pessimism of Dickens at that point in time and his faith in the parliamentary system! Britain arose and then it fell on hard times and the empire was lost. However, it still survives, still occupies a high place in the world scheme, and is the chosen destination for millions of emigrants from this and other deprived and sinking countries, and for millions of refugees, to which it is now home. There is no reason why our country should not survive these dire days and in time shrug off many of its disabling ills.
The primary responsibility for the immediate survival of Pakistan rests squarely on the commando shoulders of President General Pervez Musharraf. This being so, should he have done what he has just done to the battered and bruised province of Sindh? Does Sindh deserve this terrible fate? That he is responsible for what has happened in the past month has been revealed to us by none other than the Pir Sahib of North London, Altaf Hussain, proud citizen of Great Britain and the far-flung leader of the MQM, through a news item in the national press yesterday, from which comes the following lines: "Addressing party workers at Nine Zero who had gathered for congratulating Ishratul Ibad, Friday, he expressed gratitude to President General Pervez Musharraf, Tariq Aziz, General Ahsan and General Ehtesham for appointing a governor from a middle-class family."
Taking into account the past circumstances surrounding our new young governor (a proclaimed absconder of ten years standing), and those of many of his brothers-in-power, the least we must now expect is that the gates of all our prisons be flung open (Saddam Hussein style) and those accused of crimes, justly or unjustly, rightly or wrongly, be released, if not rewarded.