LAHORE, Nov 5: Lahorites reacted with a mixture of relief and cautious optimism to the election of Barack Obama, the first Afro-American president-elect of the United States, on Wednesday.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan activist Husain Naqi said the election showed a great political maturity on the part of the American people.
He said: “I feel very happy and very proud. It’s especially historic when you consider Obama has been elected by the country’s white majority.”
He said Obama had recently downplayed any aggressive intentions toward Pakistan and his offer to mediate over the Kashmir issue was also encouraging. Terming America a historical friend of Pakistan, he said the United States had “clout” in the region and pushed for the creation of Pakistan in the face of British obstruction.
While lauding Obama’s left-leaning economic stance as the need of the hour, Naqi said the symbolism of the moment was important as it restored the world’s faith in the American people.
Similar sentiments were expressed by painter and academic Salima Hashmi. She said: “I never thought I’d see an African-American in the White House in my lifetime, nor could I imagine it was possible to see a female president of the United States. This campaign has shown both are possible.”
Noting that Pakistan’s foreign policy had traditionally been subservient to the whims of the United States, she said: “Obama is a man of humble beginnings. I hope he listens, as opposed to Republicans, who only like to reflect on the sound of their own voices.”
Mansoor Khan, a high court advocate, lamented that no politicians in Pakistan were as inspirational or as well-placed to bring about real change. He said: “Watching his acceptance speech today, I was envious. It’s a promise of hope and change, a compelling story of an ordinary man who is going to make a difference for the better, at least in his country.”
“Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for this country. Our leaders cling on till they die, and when they die their children take over. The best we can look forward to is Bilawal Bhutto coming of age”, he added ironically.
Among shoppers and businessmen at Liberty Market, feelings were more mixed. Khwaja Ahmed, a jewellery store cashier, said he was happy that America had elected a black president. He hoped that Obama’s Muslim origins may make him more sympathetic to the concerns of the Muslim world.
Summing up the feelings of city’s economically disenfranchised, Wali Khan, a shoe-shiner at Liberty Market whose family remains in Bajaur Agency, said: “How can we think about the affairs of another country? We have inflation, warfare and unemployment to deal with.”