THIS IS MY STORY—64
MY JOURNEY THROUGH THE ERA OF AYUB KHAN TO THE TIMES OF IMRAN KHAN.
GHULAM AKBAR.
Mamoon Jaan Got Convinced
“Has she gone out of her mind? Allowing herself to be used by these vagabonds!”
“Aren’t you aware that Jamaat-i-Islami too has endorsed her candidacy?” I said calmly.
“Well,” Mamoon Jaan’s tone was now cautious. “I will discuss this with Jamaat leaders.”
“I believe Mamoon Jaan, the heroines of your novels have been more inspirational, more inspiring and more inspired than your heroes. For example Rabeea in Shaheen. Infact all your heroines.”
“What has this to do with the candidacy of Mohtarma?”
“Everything Mamoon Jaan. Pakistan today needs an alternative leadership. Field Marshal has now been ruling for six years. And he is yet to address the fundamental issue of Pakistan’s ideology. It is important today that he faces a real challenge in the Presidential election. I wish there were a better alternative than Madar-i-Millat. Have you any in your mind?”
There was uncertainty in his eyes as Mamoon Jaan looked at me.
“I think there is a genuine drought of leaders in the country,” he said atlast.
I was quick to reply.
“Hence Madar-i-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah. She is not hungry for limelight or power. She has been persuaded into accepting this proposal on the grounds that she alone can arrest Pakistan’s continuous slide into the abyss of despotism.”
“But the COP crowd doesn’t inspire my confidence. There is Sheikh Mujeeb ur Rahman. There is Khan Wali Khan. And there are other rogue elements of our political landscape,” Mamoon Jaan argued.
“I think the towering figure of the Quaid’s sister is fully equipped to handle these rogue elements,” I replied. “I don’t think we have any alternative or option except to come out whole-heartedly in the support of her candidacy. Your readers will be expecting you to do this. If Kohistan lags behind Nawai Waqt on this issue, our claim of being the true flag-bearers of the Quaid’s dream will be seriously jeopardized. Nawai Waqt will take full advantage of our lack of vision.”
“What do you mean by our lack of vision?” There was anger in Mamoon Jaan’s voice. “I am not against Madar-i-Millat.”
“ I know you are not,” I said. “But we have to be for her. And now…. Right from the day one of her campaign to unseat the dictator.”
“If you think, that is the right course, you have my permission,” said Mamoon Jaan
