Amanullah Kanrani’s Political Journey Has Become a Sum of Contradictions Due to Lust for Office and Advanced Age: Babar Yousafzai
QUETTA (Daily Qudrat Quetta) — Reacting sharply to the criticism of Senator Anwarul Haq Kakar by former provincial caretaker minister Amanullah Kanrani, Home Adviser Babar Yousafzai said that due to advanced age and lust for office, Amanullah Kanrani has begun speaking incoherently at this stage of his life; it is beyond understanding what exactly Amanullah Kanrani wants. At times he becomes a nationalist, at times a secular, and at times a freedom-lover. For what purpose are these contradictions in his political thought and ideological stance?
From his closeness to Nawab Akbar Bugti to casting a vote for General Pervez Musharraf through a secret ballot, these aspects of Balochistan’s political history are not hidden from the people. If the need arises or relevant evidence is sought, the record related to the secret ballot can also be brought forward.
The people of Balochistan also know which institutions and political circles Kanrani was associated with in the past and through which stages he reached positions such as President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Senator, and caretaker minister. Therefore, it would be better if, before pointing fingers at others’ positions, he also sheds light on his own political journey and ideological shifts.
At times a reference to closeness with Nawab Akbar Bugti, at times a claim of being a freedom-lover, and at times a recollection of the ideological philosophy of his former party, Jamaat-e-Islami — so which ideology does Kanrani actually stand with? The people have the right to question this contradiction in his political stance.
And if a person considers himself a standard-bearer of revolutionary and ideological politics, he should also demonstrate a principled stance in his conduct. Questions regarding the use of an official vehicle provided during the caretaker period can also be raised in this context; those who talk of principles should also observe principles in their own conduct.
As far as the interview of Anwarul Haq Kakar is concerned, every citizen in a democratic society has the right to present his viewpoint and express his opinion on historical events. If Amanullah Kanrani disagrees with his opinion, he should respond with arguments and evidence. Disagreement of opinion does not mean forcing another person to follow one’s own thinking or attempting to impose one’s ideology on them.
In a democracy, no one should be stopped from expressing dissent; rather, the real political consciousness lies in responding to disagreement with argument.
Amanullah Kanrani should certainly criticize others’ positions, but he should also be ready to answer questions regarding his own political journey, ideological shifts, and past decisions. Anwarul Haq Kakar has been a standard-bearer of the same ideology for the past 20 years and has always openly called terrorists terrorists; neither has Anwarul Haq Kakar’s ideology changed nor his thinking. The people of Balochistan are conscious; they know who practices principled politics and who changes stance with changing political circumstances.
Babar Yousafzai, Home Adviser Balochistan
