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Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Vice-Chairman of the PPP,is running for presidency but with no possibility of success |
The office of the Prime Minister was just a step away from him, but he had to except a condition to enter. The condition was to part his way from his leader, which was unacceptable to him, as he believes loyalty is the best policy.
Descending from a spiritual family of the southern Sindh province of Pakistan, the PPP presidential candidate Makhdoom Amin Fahim, 68, never regrets his decision to turn down a clear-cut offer to become the country's prime minister on the condition of parting his way from his leader, Benazir Bhutto, a former Prime Minister and Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), one of the largest political parties of this South Asian Muslim state.
"I could have been the prime minister, which is the first and last dream of any politician in the parliamentary democracy, but loyalty is more important for me than the prime ministership," Mr. Fahim says.
He knows he is going to concede a sure defeat at the hands of the country's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf in the upcoming presidential elections, which may stigmatize his political career, but as always he bows to his leader.
"My leader has asked me to contest election against General Musharraf. That is why I am contesting the presidential election knowing the fact that I leg behind as far as game of numbers is concerned," he says.
Early Life
| Fahmi is a feudal landlord and leader of a social democratic party, as well as a Sufi divine (inherited status) and a self-admitted alcohol drinker. |
Born in Makhdoom family of Hala, which is located some 200 Kilometers off the southern port city of Karachi, on August 4, 1939, Fahim is a rare breed in Pakistani
politics where loyalty doesn't matter at all. Change of party and leadership is considered a routine affair in local politics.
His father Makhdoom Talib-ul-Maula, the spiritual leader of Sarwari Jammat of Pakistan, was one of the founding members of the PPP — which was founded in 1969
by the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, father of Benazir Bhutto.
Being the eldest of the sons, Fahim had always been very close to his father, as in Sindhi tradition eldest son is considered the political heir of father.
Fahim did his matriculation in 1955 and intermediate in 1957 in his native town Hala. In 1958, he got admission in political science department of Sindh University, and did his bachelors in 1961.
Fahim is the Vice-Chairman of the PPP, and is also the Parliamentary Leader of the same party in the National Assembly. He has also served as Federal Minister of oil and natural resources, and communication from 1988 to 1990, and 1993 to 1996.
Fahim has been criticized in Pakistan for his contradictory characteristics. He is a feudal landlord and leader of a social democratic party, as well as a Sufi divine (inherited status) and a self-admitted alcohol drinker.
His political party, the PPP, is self-avowedly liberal, but Fahim's sisters have allegedly been forced to "marry the Quran" (instead of non-related men), to prevent the family's massive land holdings from being split up (charged by Tariq Ali in his book "Clash of Fundamentalism", page 261). However, the Makhdoom family denies that charge.
Despite these contradictions, Fahim is affectionately known by his followers as, "he whose presence brings good harvests."
Ruling People's Hearts
| Political analysts think that Benazir has always been scared of the popularity and influence of Fahim in Sindh. |
Initially, Fahim was more interested in poetry than politics. However, he had no choice but to jump into the fray as the political heir of Makhdoom family.
"Poetry is my first love. I am still fond of saying verses and reading poetry of others," Fahim says.
His forte is mystic poetry. His poetry speaks about love, peace, and simplicity.
"I have always been fond of the poetry of Maulana Rumi, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, and Sachal Sarmast. Their poetry has left a deep impact on my life. I have learnt from them (poets) to be loyal to your loved ones in good or rainy days," he says.
Known as a humble politician, Fahim entered in the political arena in 1970 when he was elected as member National Assembly from southern Thatta district of Sindh province.
Since then, Fahim has so far contested seven elections in 1977, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, and 2002 and remained undefeated.
"I don't believe in ruling the people. I believe in ruling their hearts. That is why my voters love me, and they never disappointed me," he opines.
Fahim boycotted the non-party elections of 1985 held by General Zia-ul-Haq — led military regime in line with the decision of his party.
Fahim was offered the post of prime minister in 2002 by General Pervez Musharraf keeping Benazir's refusal to appoint Fahim as Chief Minister of Sindh province
after 1993 elections in mind.
Political analysts think that Benazir has always been scared of the popularity and influence of Fahim in Sindh province that is why she never opted for appointing him as chief minister. "Benazir never wants a powerful chief minister who has his own say. She wants factotums that is why she never thought about Amin Fahim," Abdul Khalique Ali, a senior political analyst says.
Benazir may be scared of Fahim's popularity, but he never thinks like that.
"Benazir Bhutto is my leader and my Prime Minister. She is the daughter of my leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and I can't betray her", Fahim says.
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