Who shall lead us – III

Since the arrival of Ziaul Haq on the political scene of Pakistan, Politics in Pakistan has been tainted by corruption and accumulation of money. It has now become a dirty business like smuggling. Unfortunately, politicians of my beloved Gilgit Baltistan have learnt this dirty game from their Pakistani counterparts.
The characteristics of a leader enumerated above are all badly needed except the high level connection. Are we not going to encourage traditional leaders and also corruption through this criteria. Let us encourage honest and dedicated people this time. The media should also play its role properly. We should elect leaders who are sincere with common people and are ready to help them instead of grabing money and other priviliges for themselves.

India’s Congress party tells members to shed royal titles
NEW DELHI: India’s governing Congress party has told its blue-blooded members to drop royal titles that are still in use even though the country became a republic 59 years ago. Prior to independence, India consisted of hundreds of princely states, and descendants of their rulers continue to play a prominent part in local and national politics. Several politicians of royal lineage still use titles like ‘maharaja’ (king) and ‘maharani’ (queen). The Congress said this would have to stop. “Everybody is a common man in India. Royal designations are a thing of the past,” Congress General Secretary Janaradhan Dwivedi told AFP on Wednesday. “All feudal titles will be removed from the Congress party records. No one will have king, queen or prince appendages before their name.” –Courtesy Daily Times June 18, 2009

Will any political party, mainstream or nationalist, or conscious citizen of Gilgit-Baltistan dare to put our self–styled Mirs, Ranis and princes and Rajas to test?

Dear Noor
I am thankful to Pamir Times that my thoughts are at least read and commented upon. Pamir times deserves congratuation for providing opportunities and space to discuss political issues of our region. If we don’t discuss and find solution to them,we will be doomed to exploitation like our fore- fathers. We should follow the example of Indian congress to do away with all the royal titles. This is the essence of democracy. People are popular sovereign and stand equal chance to rule based on the popular will. We must eliminate remnants of Feudalism. Please also discuss the political problems of Ghizer district at your forum. Your brethern in that district are unaware about their political rights and hence vulnerable to severe exploitation.

Largely agree with Dr Sabit Rahim. Noor this is great to see the opinion poll on this topic.

It is interesting to note, viewing the results of the opion poll so far:
12 votes for power of expression, 68 votes for visionary, 27 votes for organizing skills and 10 votes for integrity and so the rest..

Does this mean, those who voted here ( the youth and bloggers, not necessarily actual voters), think that if our elected leaders have i) a vision ii) good mobilizing skills iii) communication skills and some integrity, he/she could prove to be the best choice to represent us?

If we talk to common voters/villagers they would give value to qualities/skills, like i) educated ii) well respected and known to communities and government circles alike iii) honest iv) brave and outspoken v) possess material wealth, so that he/she could be mobile and host officials and guests, and is not enticed by money and contractors.

Machiavelli talked in The Prince about qualities like i) knowledge about statecraft, ii) realistic, iii) generous iv) disciplined v) command respect, both loved and feared by people vi) should not be morally or ethically corrupt.

To borrow from Weber we may look at three qualities:

i) Passion: meaning should have a clear commitment to a cause. A vision and the ability to transform ideas into action;

ii) Judgement: ability to analyse the change, and make sound decisions.Ability to judge what people need and want from him/her;

iii) Responsibility:feels responsible to people, accountability. Understands and adopts the social values of the society and commits to be responsible to the poor, to the vulnerable, to environment and to all segments of the society including the women and the youth.

As the voters are looking for visionary elected reps, i just came across this

Visit this site to get another view about Visionary politicians:

http://www.fff.org/comment/com0810l.asp

The curse of visionary Politicians-obviously it is an American perspective, but you may relate it to your context.