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When The People are Empowered

By Islamuddin

The election and subsequent appointment of Muhammad Saleem Khan as Provincial Minister for Population Welfare in the Govt. of NWFP has revolutionized the political landscape of Chitral. Up till now only traditional political elites used to be elected to public offices. This time a commoner has been voted to power and befittingly on PPP ticket. PPP has always claimed to represent and empower the poor. But somehow it was unable to give tickets to poor candidates presumably because of their perceived inability to pay for election expenses. It�s therefore not surprising that PPP lost elections many times in Chitral which is considered to be PPP�s second Larkana.

However with the increase in the political consciousness of the people and self centered politics of self aggrandizement on part of the traditional elites, the people decided that only a commoner can serve them well. Moreover it is easier for them to connect with a commoner for the solution of problems confronting the poor. A commoner can give them sense of ownership and empowerment and this sense was overwhelmingly evident during the first visit of Saleem Khan to his constituency. I happened to accompany him to some place to see for myself as to how the general public viewed the change.

Unlike his predecessors, Saleem Khan traveled to Chitral by road via Lowari Pass, a route that has taken many lives including eight this year alone. This gesture held more than symbolic meaning for Chitralis and they responded to this by according unprecedented historic welcome to Saleem Khan at the entry point to Chitral. He was brought to Chitral city in a convoy of 500 vehicles. On the way he got down from his vehicle to shake hands with every one who happened to be on the road side to great him. In some places he discarded official security to pick up students commuting their homes and schools. The people felt elevated and empowered. Security considerations were set aside to allow all and sundry to meet the minister. No protocol was in sight. For the first time the people had a genuine feeling that they had regained their self respect and they have voted for a person who owns them and shares their pains as well as pleasures.

During his ten day stay in Chitral I did not see him sleeping or resting for more than four hours. He even did not spare time to meet his aged father or visit his relatives. What impressed me the most was his courteous and unassuming nature. One day He was invited by local elite for dinner, which he accepted. Few hours later a veteran but poor party worker met him and invited him to dinner. The minister cancelled his dinner with the elite and decided to have dinner with the party worker. I also accompanied him and we had to walk for half an hour through narrow streets in pitched darkness with the help of torch light to reach the party worker�s house. Some one in the crowd commented that if it was the respect that PPP accorded to an ordinary worker then we should all join this party.

I was appalled to note that no serious efforts have been made in the past to solve the problems of the people. The minister was flooded with applications containing problems that should have been resolved long ago. Perhaps their elected representatives in the past lacked serious commitment to solve their problems or were selective in their approach. Most of the problems narrated to the Minister appeared to have resulted from poor governance and corruption. He even visited those areas which had not voted for him. He told the people that development was their right and it should not be bargained for vote. The Minister was right in saying that poor governance and corruption was number one problem of Chitral. He promised action to put things on track but the taste of pudding is in the eating. Let us wait and see. There are reasons for hope.

Saleem�s election and induction in the cabinet has raised public expectations to unprecedented level and it is the biggest challenge for him. He has all the qualities to come up to public expectations but how far and to what extent the party cooperates with him, will determine his success in meeting public expectations. This will also help strengthen PPP in Chitral.