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Fahim remained loyal to his leader, Benazir Bhutto, all the way through (Reuters photo). |
As the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of the slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has emerged as the single largest bloc in parliament in February 18, 2008 elections, three prime candidates are in the run to clinch the key slot of prime minister. These candidates are Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the widely respected vice president of Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Makhdoom Yousaf Raza Gilani.
However, political pundits and the party workers put their weight in favor of Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who have refused to enter the prime minister house in the recent past because he would have to part his way from his leader, Ms Bhutto which was unacceptable to him, as he believes loyalty is the best policy.
Observers believe that after Ms Bhutto, who was assassinated on December 27, 2007 in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, Fahim is the most suitable candidate for the post of prime minister.
Bhutto Loyal
| "I could have been the prime minister, which is the first and last dream of any politician ... but loyalty is more important for me than the prime ministership" |
Descending from a spiritual family of the southern Sindh province of Pakistan, Fahim, 68, never regrets his decision to turn down a clear-cut offer to become the country's prime minister.
"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.
Fahim, a close confidant of Ms Bhutto had also contested presidential election against Pervez Musharraf in November last.
"My leader (Ms Bhutto) had asked me to contest election against General Musharraf. That is why I contested the presidential election knowing the fact that I legged behind as far as game of numbers is concerned," he says.
Early Life
| 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. |
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, the Vice-Chairman of the PPP, was also the parliamentary leader of the party in the National Assembly in the absence of Ms Bhutto, who had remained in self-exile for 8 years from 1999 to 2007.
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 in line with Benazir, her widower husband is also scared of the popularity and influence of Fahim. |
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 eight elections in 1977, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2002, and 2008 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, which he refused, keeping Benazir's refusal to appoint Fahim’s son Makhdoom Jameel-uz-Zaman as Chief Minister of Sindh province after 1993 elections.
Political analysts think that in line with Benazir, her widower husband, the incumbent co-chairman of the PPP, is also scared of the popularity and influence of Fahim in the party, especially in Sindh province, which may compel him to change his mind and choose some other person for the premiership.
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