Articles of the year 2015
Published on November 20th 2015
There are very few times that one can be proud of one’s leadership on stage. Mariam Nawaz at the White House, was one such moment. Her short talk, was brilliant, soft, measured, full of grace and stating her case as a young mother, well aware of her responsibility towards her children, and her national role in the future of all the Pakistani children especially young girls, who are probably the most disadvantaged on the planet. Their deprivation in all spheres is well known, and the Malalas, and Mukhtaran Mais are all examples of struggles against diversity. And so it comes as a breath of fresh air, that a young woman from a privileged class can show her ability to grapple with the huge responsibilities that confront any person wishing to make her mark in the rough world of a male dominated society.
Being a woman is already a negative, but she made a very positive beginning, and succeeded in removing the PMLN from the stigma of being controlled by the Gullu Butts of the Punjab. These people had allowed a persona of crude Punjabi culture to develope around the Prime Minister, and the Nawaz Sharif government. Thus the highbrow tone of the Urdu speakers was exploited by many opponents. Mariam Nawaz reversed all of that, and her soft delivery, demure and ladylike was a freshness desperately needed in the hurly burley of male politics normal everywhere in the world.
Pakistan needs such a new approach, genteel and with a lightness of touch. The Gullu Butts need to be put on the back burner, and the new Maryam Nawaz image must go ahead. Maryam has indeed touched a chord in the people, and in Michelle Obama, it seems from her wide-eyed rapturous look at Maryam during her speech. This augurs well for Pakistan, but Nawaz Sharif must not allow this outstanding personality to be cast aside, and allow the Gullu Butts to reemerge. They certainly have their place in Pakistani politics, but as important is the genteel touch of benevolence necessary in governance. Maryam has established herself on the international stage, as a young Muslim spokesperson in the harsh real political world. A true asset to Pakistan.