Daily Times

INTERVIEW

Have you taken part in the elections before?

In the 2013 elections, I withdrew my candidacy. In those days, the Hazara killings were at their peak. My priority was to struggle against the killings so I withdrew from the elections.

This time, I filed nomination papers for two National Assembly seats but Balochistan National Party’s (BNP) Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal came to me and requested me to back down in support of his party’s candidates (Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani and Malik Abdul Wali Kakar). I’m contesting the election for provincial assembly seats.

You have spoken openly on the issue of Hazara killings and have held state institutions responsible for the plight of the community. Do you think you can win despite this narrative?

This country has suffered a lot because of our own mistakes and weaknesses. After 70 years, we’re still repeating the same experiments that have failed miserably in the past. Obviously, the results will not be good.

I think people who remain silent and don’t point out these mistakes are selfish; they are not patriots or well-wishers of the country.

I am a well-wisher of the country. I criticise ill-devised policies of the state openly so that the authorities can be made aware about the changes wanted by the people. I want them to stop committing the same mistakes again and again. People should be given the freedom to choose their representatives with the power of ballot. The vote must be given the dignity it deserves.

The country can be made stable only when the common person has the understanding that their vote matters. Every decision must be made politically and democratically. If the authorities continue imposing their will on the people, the results won’t be very different from what they have been so far.

The media should be free. There should be freedom of speech. The judiciary should be free and independent, and the Parliament should be supreme. If this is the case, we can expect improvement. If status quo persists, our elections will remain selections.

The country can be made stable only when the common person has the understanding that their vote matters. Every decision must be made politically and democratically

In my jalsa a few days back, I challenged the caretaker government and all state institutions to bring proof of a single case of corruption against me. They can hang me publicly if they find anything on me.

The issue of corruption is being used here for political purposes. Our strength lies in the economy. Economically, we are at a critical stage. If I’m successful to win at least one seat, I’ll start a country-wide campaign against corruption. In particular, I will campaign against discretionary funds given to MPAs and MNAs. We should have the elected representatives point out problems in their areas, but solving these problems should be the job of the government. This practice of disbursement of funds to MNAs and MPA, without any checks and balances should end. Millions of rupees are dished out without any accountability. This is not an acceptable practice. This has weakened the roots of our country and the spirit of our democracy.

I will prepare a list of names of Hazara people who have been murdered, and present it to the government so that a special package can be prepared for their families. The package can include jobs for the children of the deceased. I’ll also struggle for a monthly stipend for such families

There’s a perception that the issue of corruption is used with ulterior motives to target only politicians, and to sabotage democracy. How will your campaign be different?

The corrupt also say that they will end corruption. In fact, they have the loudest cry. My campaign will be different because I will go everywhere on foot. My appearance will speak for itself. People will know that I am a clean man. I will demand that discretionary funds for MPAs and MNAs to undertake development projects in their constituencies should be discontinued. These funds are given to them on purpose, to make them corrupt.

You identify yourself as a progressive politician. How will your political ideals help your community?

I will raise my voice against corruption. On the floor of the House, I will ask for a priority list of issues to be made, and education to be put on top of the list. Illiterate nations cannot understand the demands of the modern times. No change will come unless we prioritise education. After education, poverty reduction will be the next item on the list. I’ll start a debate on measures needed be taken for it?

Then, I will focus on public health.

As a progressive politician, my suggestion will be that we should not do what has been done before. We have to set our priorities, to keep an eye on the government all the time, and to speak truth to power, no matter what.

Is there something you will do specifically for the Hazara community?

Obviously, my Hazara sisters and brothers are an integral part of the Pakistani national community. If there are poor conditions in the country, the Hazaras cannot thrive either.

I will prepare a list of names of the Hazara people murdered in targeted attacks, and present it to the government so that a special package can be devised for their families. The package can include jobs for the children of the deceased. I’ll also struggle for a monthly stipend for such families.

You spoke in the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) rallies. Will you take up the issue of the enforced disappearances and support the Pashtuns to solve the problems faced by the community?

The world has been globalised. The means to access information are available far and wide. In such a situation, the issue of enforced disappearances brings us a bad name internationally.

These problems will arise if the supremacy of the law is not upheld. We should ensure that the law remains supreme.

If someone has committed a wrongdoing, they should be presented in the courts. They should be able to have a fair trial in an open court. If they are proven guilty, they should be punished according to the law. Extra-judicial actions will erode the public’s trust in state institutions. Will it be good for the country if the public gets disheartened, and starts turning against state institutions?

So you will raise the issue of the missing persons in the Assembly?

I am a responsible person. I know that there are issues in which one cannot say things openly at the assembly floor. But you can try. For example, you can talk on the issue off the record. You can start a process and talk about solving the problem without needlessly raising the issue on the media.

I will urge the elected representatives to personally go to all those who are aggrieved and have suffered losses. I’ll try that the people of Balochistan get their democratic rights. I’ll ask the people to come with me and together we will fight for these rights. We cannot afford to get armed and take a violent approach. Instead, we’ll try to connect with our institutions, to forge unity so that peace can be established, and people’s right to speak can be respected. We will sit together and resolve our disagreements in an atmosphere where both sides can talk together, accept the truth and oppose what is not the truth.

If democracy is allowed to function according to its spirit, these problems can be solved.

You son has been abducted once. Do you fear for your safety?

No. I’m not in danger. I’ve received no threats on phone or otherwise.

I keep no security guards. I go wherever and whenever I want to go. I am not afraid of anyone. I regularly go to the coal depot 15 kilometres from my house on a motorbike. I fear nothing because I know I have to die, but I try to stay among my people.

Published in Daily Times, July 17^th 2018.