Articles of the year 2017
Published on November 09th 2017
The politicians of the subcontinent have always adopted a Feudal behavior as Lord of the Manor everything belongs to the lord, including the right to spending the first night with the bride. This practice continues in parts of India. and some Pakistanis wish it were still in place in Pakistan.
Nawaz Sharif, in his dreams of becoming Amir ul Momineen, in his kingly largess dished out the landing right to some of his favored Arab carriers, with regal aplomb. Nawaz did not realize that in giving these rights he doomed PIA to an early demise. This is the single most damaging action that was done to a carrier by its own Prime Minister.
Parkinson’s fifth law states “a man will rise to the level of his own incompetence”. Except in the case of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif caused the damage by behaving as if he was a feudal lord and gifted Dubai traffic rights to Emirates Airlines thereby creating a monster that would eclipse PIA, and emerge as a giant among Airlines. One cannot detract from the business acumen and management skill of Dubai, but the Pakistani market fuelled this explosive growth that was cashed in by Emirates.
Nawaz Sharif was solely responsible, as he believed the traffic rights were something that could be granted without the long term consequences. As emperor of Pakistan, he fully believed that his largess was his alone to dispense, regardless of the consequences.
Pakistan is ideally located midpoint between the Asian and European/markets. And of course the Saudi Umrah traffic, which was the bread and butter route for Pakistan not available to any other carrier.
Gulf Air had been trying for years to get access but was fobbed off by even Gen. Zia and in a fit of pique Maliki the then head of Gulf Air threatened to stop PIA flights to Gulf points as Gen. Zia had politely declined Malik’s request for flights to Islamabad and Lahore. When threatened thus, Khurshid Anwar the PIA Marketing head was sent to Shaikh Rasheed of Dubai, requesting permission to operate into and through Dubai. This was promptly agreed to by Shaikh Rashid, with one small request. Could PIA help Dubai set up an airline – and as they say the rest is history.
The damage done to Pakistan is staggering and there is no punishment adequate in our prison manual that can meet the crime. It denied the employment of millions in Karachi and surrounding areas. While Pakistan is still a labor surplus area with thousands lining up to work in gulf states as slaves. Nawaz Sharif has relegated Pakistan to the slave market forever. I am sure if these slaves toiling away in the gulf Heat realize how their destiny was changed by one man’s dream without the mental capacity to cope, that is the primary reason a monkey is not allowed to play with a razor. However, in Pakistan a man can be made prime minister knowing full well his intellectual capacity was below par. No we are faced with the consequences of being “under intelligent”. This is far too dangerous an epithet to be used off the cuff but on deeper thought it is appropriate and should be used more regularly to describe our predicament.
Pakistan is truly stuck with a deranged monster at the wheel with no brakes, and a nuclear State! The usual response of “you voted him in” is not a response that will re-stabilize this unfortunate country. What is worse is the latest spat between Nawaz and Abbasi is the demand to remove the COAS can be read as a demand to bring the “red” button under his control, the only weapon not under the Sharifs. Does the Pakistan army not realize the game or the stakes?
Revolution may be our only answer but suppose the Gulu Butts win? Can the world afford more of the same? Definitely not. It could be worse – Altaf Husain could be in charge!
We should pray that God gives our leadership a self destruct button, so that the leader is ejected automatically, without having to go through the trauma of removal. This then is the high cost of Stupidity. After the last ten days hysterics, from father and daughter, can one imagine the button not being pressed?