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The Liberals are bound to fail - and are taking us all down the same route - break ranks while there is time... by Qalandar Memon on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 6:47pm

The liberal dream is bound to fail.

Candles have been lit before and aunties in Gucci bags and sunglasses - as much as we love you - have gotten down from there chauffeur

driven cars to march on a lawn at liberty roundabout for sometime now.

It hasn't changed a single soul.

Hasn't touched the views of that man on a cycle who after working 12 hours on security rides past you worried more about his children's

stomach then your candles.

Your servants and sons and daughters have been touched and congratulations they will carry on the tradition ( of lighting candles and sipping

whiskey - though not the servants after employment).

These liberal tactics have failed and will fail. They are callous. Twitter and facebook and guardian articles do not touch anyone either...we

move in our own circles...round and round and round...

The liberal agenda has been the dominate agenda in the economic domain. It has directed Pakistan's economy. Your children work for the

World Bank or as consultants for the Asian Development bank or NGO's that amount to the thing, that call for more privatization, that call for

more sales tax, and less subsidies, that call for the burden of privatization to fall on the poor and that allow the rich to get richer - some call it

neo-liberalism but it is all better understood as,'socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor'.

So when you talk about 'rule of law', or 'burka' or (alas) 'blasphemy laws'. no one outside your circle really is convinced. They rightly think

you hypocritical - after all, on an empty stomach who wants to listen to your urdu/english lectures on 'civilization'...

Where is my bread going to come from they ask?

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You have no answers. Or you can answer - ' I will give it to you as charity from teh NGO I run with my son and daugther and that is funded by

USAID, you will have to come to my house and bow down a little and of course only as far as the gate don't dare enter...'

So he/she gets one loaf as you drive off in your civic to attend a function on NGO funding or management? What about the next loaf?

In your factories you rape the workers on a daily basis, you ask for citizens to clean streets but are using cheap under paided servants labour

to clean your houses...you are hypocrites to the core. Unable to challenge your own material contradiction...

and now the tide is turning. The right wing - equally blind to the economic domain - is challenging your social privileges. Forcing you, out of

resentment among others things, to bow down to them in the public sphere...

You have lost the fight for the masses - who naturally control this sphere and being against you for your years of callousness...and they will

use religion or anything to strike some power back...to reclaim some dignity...its not ideal or idealistic but then neither are you...

Those liberals who can see the importance of equity and equality need to break ranks. Join the left. Stand against American terrorism as

much as native extremists and the ISI/Military support for these elements. Fight with workers for their rights and for a equitable society. Fight

for policies in support of ordinary people and against the IMF and WB. Support Pakistan's right to default on its loans, support nationalization

of key industries and government funded programs. Support legalization of domestic labour, farm labour, and a high basic wage, support

protection of the environment and green policies, support direct democracy and proportional representation and radical participatory

democracy - not your bourgeois parliamentary democracy (so safe for the rich and Empire)...control the private sector (the business of your

father and mother that were build by, often, corrupt practices and exist on the labour of the working classes)

mere loitering with candles will not defeat the extremists - though it is important. The liberal ideology is one of poverty and indignity for the

masses. It can not rescue Pakistan. It has failed. It is full of hypocrisy.




join the New Left. Work with the workers and fight for equity and justice. Lower your profits and purchase of Gucci shoes and trousers (it

does not trickle down) and support bread in the houses of millions.

study for a portrait of F. Fanon. ‘I do not carry innocence to the point of believing that appeals to reason or to respect for human dignity can alter reality’. F. Fanon. Like · Comment · Share

Asim Jaan and 14 others like this.

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Mehr F Husain this is beautiful qalander. may i please share?




January 6 at 6:49pm · Like

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Qalandar Memon of course!


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Comrade Elyas Kakar beautiful sir

January 6 at 6:53pm via Facebook Mobile · Like

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Asim Jaan Insightful and apt depiction of reality, Qalander.


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Riaz Ahmed brilliant!


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Ishtiaq Ahmad Gondal it z nyc...


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Taimur Rahman

oh please. It is a ridiculous analysis in the current situation. The Blasphemy law for which Salman Taseer was gunned down is used only against the poorest of the poor. It is used against religious minorities, it is used against the caste of kammi Christians. The opposition against the Blasphemy law principally benefits minorities, not the upper classes. I was at the funeral of Salman Taseer where representatives of Christian communities weeped and weeped. They said he died for our community defending Asia bibi.




I'm a Marxist not a liberal. But this new left criticism of liberals is more right wing than liberalism is. Because this new left has no balls to stand against religious fanatics.

January 6 at 8:06pm · Like · 2 people

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Qalandar Memon

You are not making any points Taimur. Think because your comment. If you really feel that the rising extremism is going to be really challenged without touching the economic base of society you are crazy. And by no way a marxist by any new or old definition. And cut the moralism. You are no Gandhi. I work with the Christian Community on a daily basis. Don't F@@king moralize about tear and weeping with me. we are all sad about Mr. Taseer. Do not confuse matter. You really p@SS me off with your moralism sometimes.


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Qalandar Memon

the point is about strategy. What is going to tackle extremism and the rising tide of blood lust in the population. I do not think it is going to be business as ususal...preaching about enlightened moderation or 'sufism', etc, etc...the problem needs a comprehensive solution that touches and changes the economic base - but even this is not sufficient in itself. Are the liberals really asking for this? no? are they challenging this? no? I don;t care what you are - Marxist/liberal, etc. But think before you start emotionalizing things. To imply that somehow I am for the blasphemy law or against fighting extremism is to miss the point and emotionize a matter of grave concern. We need to fight it at the level of discourse - candles, lectures, rallies, but also by fundamental change in our relation with the masses - individually and as a society. The liberals need to do this, they need to look at the power of oppression they are applying on the masses and change that relation! my point is merely fighting at the level discourse has failed and is not working. We need to change the economic base of society. They will not realise their aim of 'jinnah's Pakistan' otherwise. Is this an unsound argument? Do explain. I want apology or a explanation of your comment. Explain what is exactly unsound in my analysis or right wing...your comment has outrageous implications for its emotionalization...you really are good at losing friends... And what kind of MArxist wants to defend neo-liberal economic agenda? did you even read what I wrote? you are a strange chairperson of a left-wing party...CMKP is not well represented by such comments... I wonder! I am super tempted at Ad Hominen arguments and emotionalism as you seem to be adopting but will refrain for a while. But to hint at it...are contradictions hitting home! I wonder!


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Jareer Ahsan




Partially good analysis. Utterly ridiculous conclusion. How do you ( i mean the current leadership of left) manage to escape this criticism. In fact, I find left far more hypocritical rather disgusted by it than these NGO people... imho these people are least contradictory about their stance. They want the luxuries, they don't bullshit around condemning it while enjoying it at the same time. ps> 'NGO Aunties'? can a more pathetic stereotyping be used here?? pps> i am only criticizing what you wrote, not you personally. so i hope you don't get personal like you just did with Taimur Rahman (barring this line of course).


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Issam Ahmed I think Qalandar was right in pointing out that the malaise afflicting Pakistani society is most deeply rooted in economics ie the widening rich-poor divide and the indifference of the elites. Lip-service liberalism (pro-drinking, pro-arts and so on) is meaningless until you create a fairer society and offer an alternative vision to that offered by the religious right. Else the masses continue to look upon the liberals as divorced from the real world.


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Qalandar Memon

well Jareer - firstly, as far as I know, a lot of the left works with NGO and other groupings to fight at the level of discourse with the liberals. So we do that. However, we are also working at the level of discourse and sometimes - more rare - in actuality to change the material conditions of people. However, the point that is being made is simple. That to fight extremism it is not sufficient to fight only for liberal values at the social level but also to provide economically for the masses. There is no contradiction here. let me ask you a question - do you think with the current economic policies and conditions we are going to see a decline in extremist acts? Be they public lynching or murder? Do you not think that we need to change this along with the discourse? Would you justify domestic servants working for years without fair wages? or no taxes on argriculture, or bad factory working conditions? privatization and the creating of a neo-liberal economic base? Please explain if these things are going to help solve the problems of Pakistan? Are they going to create a more torentant society? does not radical inequality contribute to blooklust? the data I have seen. the research and interviews I have conducted suggest that there is a link between these things. But please tell if you feel otherwise. Please do take a few minutes to answer each point. Let me make clear - though this is crap liberal toss - that I am as deeply upset as anyone. I too want a progressive pakistan but that in my view it can not be achieved by the liberals strategy. We need to change our relation to the lower classes and we need to start by paying our staff (domestic and other) real wages, we need to start making sure that collectively we work politically to make sure government legislates for the economic relief of the masses...this is the way we are going to achieve the Pakistan we desire...this is my conclusion. I hate to inform you that I am not suffering from any moral hick-up in my personal life in living according to these positions. not yet anyway! I can not of course speak for the whole left here. but the left I know - bar a few chairpersons and singers - consists of working class people. I have no idea of the details of their lives but they don't own factories, nor do they keep domestic labour - some do...




but why don't we do research on this...lets look and see if the left leaders are in a contradiction on these issues...I have never really looked into it in detail...but hte liberals certainly are...


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Qalandar Memon

Jareer = regarding the sterotyping. I partly agree and partly disagree. I agree that there is a gender issue here and will refrain from using the 'aunties' in future. I think NGO uncles may be better suited for the future. Disagree in so far as generalizations are what communication is made up off. of course, I am painting in broad strokes. This is facebook 'note'. its not a essay in Pakistan journal for combating extremism... (which would be a nice journal!). It is humanly impossible to write without generalizations and yes - sterotype's, etc. This is part and parcel of language. I find such criticism to miss the point. ok, its a generalization/stereotype.So what? you know, via, your understanding of hte social space we occupy who/what tendency I am referring too? otherwise, it would have not made sense to you? So again, gendered is wrong, but generalization or sterotype is not. I love the liberal fighters - don't worry about that - I am often at the candle vigils, etc. I am with them in the fight at the level of discourse - certainly. I am talking about deeping our engagement with the problem. Taking it to the economic front also. Looking for more answers and new ways to fight for a Pakistan that we want. not loitering in static positions...let us get more engaged...more radical...the status quo is not working. lets find new answers and strategies...

January 6 at 9:45pm · Like · 1 person

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Issam Ahmed

On the other hand though maybe the rot of religious extremism has gone so deep that you need short term solutions focussing on fighting back, in addition to the long term strategy. The short term should consist of confronting fanaticism hea...See More


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Taimur Rahman Dear Qalandar. Your language is deplorable. Good bye. I don't want to waste any more of my energy on debating with you (if you can call your response a debate). Good riddance. P.S. you can forget about the Laal gig at Cafe Bol.





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Maria Amir

I think I agree with you for the most part. At least the bit about the liberal agenda failing miserably. Personally, i feel that it serves the elite to have the masses remain poor, uninformed and woefully ignorant about their rights. Having...See More


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Riaz Ahmed

I agree mostly with what Qalander says. It is important at this juncture that we dont become mere followers of hopeless rulers and imperial stooges as most of us did at the beginning of 'war on terror' and NATO Afghan occupation. Those who ...See More


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Qalandar Memon

Taimur sentiments as always. you can get emotional and imply things but we are not allowed to point out your contradictions...I really don't know what you can reply anyway. Regarding cafe bol. it is not a personalized space. you are we...See More

January 7 at 4:44am · Like · 1 person

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Qalandar Memon let me rather say, 'may continue to do so'...they may equally not...

January 7 at 4:45am · Like

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Amanullah Jiffrey Kariapper Nothing radically new in this note in terms of analysis but I liked your targeting of the uppity folk you have observed at such close quarters...


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Sidra Qasim

Qalander, I think this is not the only point we should focus on. This is one of those problems which are highly alarming. In current situation we all should work on humanity whether it comes to minorities rights, gap between poor and rich, NGOs propagandas,working class or religious fanaticism etc. Guys I am reading you all since many months.But today, I didnt find healthy discussion here,sorry. I am observing we are becoming frustrated in present circumstance even though we need to be more united and strong. extremism is not with them who are fanatics but it is also generating in them too who are against fanaticism. As a reader I want to read healthy criticism,I request.

January 7 at 9:53am · Like · 1 person

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Amanullah Jiffrey Kariapper @Sidra Qasim, I totally agree with what you say about needing to unite despite our differences.


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Shakila Noor Sindhu Its a mirror image of Pakistani society.


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Jareer Ahsan

First of all, let me clear that I didn't say I completely disagree with your analysis, though partly I do, with most of the criticism which Taimur presented earlier. But I specifically criticized your solution. And let me also clarify that I by no means want to defend or agree with NGO culture. But the problem with your generalization is: "It is subtle and ingenious way of putting" all liberals, may they not be supporters of imperialism or fall under the conveniently contemptible NGO culture, under one scope. Or in other words there may be liberals who perceive the same threats as you do but with different prioritizations. So it will be very arrogant of the left to suggest that they have the best strategy for which they have frankly, in my opinion, no material evidence to support, in our little history so far. Yes, there are instances where Left is trying to change the material conditions but they are not even worth mentioning on any macro scale to be honest. There have been fluctuations of Left's impact on our society during different periods of our 63 year history, but needless to say, last two decades only show a disinterested left with a clear downward trend in their activities barring certain circumstantial incidents arising from the populace itself. If left thinks otherwise, then in my humble opinion it's a severe condition of self-inflicted grandeur. And by saying all this I do not judge the intentions of people involved but I cannot acknowledge it as more than a good-will and/or idealism which is of course commendable within its own context but not as a convincing argument for your strategy or give you the strong feet on which you can criticize other liberals which more or less have the same level of (in)effectiveness. I agree with you on your economic argument, a general theory is that materially insecure individuals resort to varying degree of superstition and their contempt for all other grows manifold. So yes, improving economic conditions will lead to a certain degree of decline in religious extremism. However, I personally do not feel obliged to reduce all phenomenons under this one theory. For example, one exception to this theory is the rapidly growing fanaticism in middle and upper middle class with more than significant economic means. So while improving economic conditions may help us fight extremism to certain extent (and lets agree to disagree as to how much of an extent we think it is, to avoid a meaningless debate), it is definitely not the (convincing) answer to extremism in my opinion. In my opinion, religious extremism descended as a top-down discourse and is still sustained as such and it limits all progressive discourses eventually. The establishment having the complete control of all necessary instruments of change (media and education) along with the most effective of all parochial philosophies (Islam) with its irrationally infallible logic (oxymoron) has held hostage the minds of all classes without




exception to sustain its hegemony. As far as my limited knowledge and understanding goes, I do believe that we can start improving things by enabling economic growth (not economic equity, though it is highly desirable but not the first step IMO) leading to a deteriorating hegemony of establishment. Here is my theory (while fully accepting our restricted means and resources): Our first step should be to focus all our energies to end our hostility with India completely. This will be a top-down approach, i.e. our efforts should be to change the perception of india among the people who control popular media, without challenging the religious hold and/or economic disparity they hold most dear, initially. A good argument in this case is to allow the usage of trading routes to India which will significantly affect our economic growth at a macro level considering India’s economy. Now on micro level, this will enable people interaction from both sides coupled with economic interests and dependency thus allowing them to break their prejudices and hostilities at (supposedly) an effective rate. Once these economic interests are established, they will in turn demand a change in the way we perceive india, for further growth and security, i.e. change in our curriculum and optimistically a diminished emphasis on our two nation theory which is the foundation for nearly all the justification of our military might. A free market with all its miseries has the unmatched benefit of being very insecure and moulds all social parameters to suit its growth with secure environment (where it is established) as its top priority. Add into this the trade routes for China, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia and you will have an unprecedented economic bloc which will undoubtedly be the most potent challenge to american imperialism so far. (ok, I admit this is optimism gone too far but its still a logical consequence =P) This will by no means improve the condition of the masses to any considerable degree, neither will it collapse the economic disparity but it will give you the starting ground where you can start your work with a weakened establishment and more pluralism being propagated in mainstream media. I can go further with details about the assumptions I have made but I think it is already beyond the scope of average attention span and goes without saying, mine as well :). Once again, this is just my understanding and you can fully disagree with it. But I would like to hear some rational criticism. And I should clear that this idea mainly takes into account the religious fanaticism in Punjab, KPK and not Sindh, Baluchistan which have completely different social context as far as religious extremism goes. And about mudslinging on Left or Liberals, that will eventually reduce this discussion to a conflict of egos and I am not interested in that. I already gave you my opinion and I believe its sufficient in its general sense. However, if you are still interested, we can discuss it more casually when we meet sometime.


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Jareer Ahsan And about the stereotyping thingy, I think your first two lines were sufficient. I am well aware of the need of generalization(s) during arguments and needless to say, I have been using it throughout my previous and current arguments, acknowledging your capacity of not judging individuals by generalizations.


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Rana Shoaib too practicl but i think v ought 2 b optimist.


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Qalandar Memon

hi Jareer - thnks for taking the time to share this option. I think it has a lot to go for it. A porous border with all our neighbors would be great. A regional block that is possible from that would be unbelievable - a good thing. (and of course a challenge to Imperialism and whenever attempts have been made at such blocks Imperialist have countered with assignations and coups)... I think efforts to break down the militaries justification and hegomony should be thus articulated...but of course with all the practical nuances that facebook does not allow.




It goes without saying I do not share you vision of liberal economics though of course regional trade is an excellent thing. I do not share your vision precisely because of what you articulate - it will not necessarily radically improve the condition of the ordinary Pakistani. Though, of course, it has the potential to do so. I would naturally what that potential to be realised. Coming back to extremism. The problem requires a complete solution...we all agree. In some respects it requires an international solution and regional solution too... Regarding Left and Liberals. I completely disagree. What criticism did Taimur actually articulate? I really have not understood it. If he is saying that the Blasphemy law being done away with is a good thing - who is disagreeing. However, what does that make the Christians - free to be gridded to death in factories of Liberals? It is to protect them from one set of oppression and violence (horizontal - working class against working class) but leave them complete open to another type of violence (vertical). It is an improvement in the situation certainly. I am reminded of CLR James when he discusses the liberals of the revolutionary assembly in france, they, he writes, 'but the Rights of Man' in their pockets' whenever the question of the colonies came up. Property (slaves in the case of the French that CLR James writes about and what amounts to the same here) above liberty. This, maxim, is in the DNA of all liberals. So Jarees I don't agree with you on liberalism. A fantastic writer - Enrique Drussel - has a wonderful book titled, 'The underside of Modernity' (the underside being coloniality and the subjectivities it creates)...this underside is joint at the hip of liberalism...it is the underside they do not present and an underside they do not want undone - the vertical violence I mentioned. As stated, Taimur has again jumped the gun and contradictory to his own claims is defending property...by criticizing my claim for the need to push further with our agenda of challenging both vertical and horizontal violence...that we not let the state use Islam to grid away its hegemony and ruin the public space and we not let liberals or any other form of elite grid to death people who like you and me should be free (grid them with nepotism, bounded labour, mass corruption, unregulared farm a, domestic and industry labour, by not paying taxes or providing services. Liberty over (private) property! Never the other way around. I want to comment on the contradiction you suggested in your first reply that you suggested was more prevelant in the left leadership then liberals. That is of shouting liberty but keeping people enslaved (domestic labour, facotries etc). I thought about it. And here is a small list of left leaders. i failed to find radical contradiction in them (unlike say in the Bhutto's). 1 - Main Quyyam - leader of LQM - a former power loom worker. You know of his work. Doesn't shop at Mall of Lahore let alone Harrods. 2 - Rasool bux Palijo - Awami Tehreek - a lawyer...in Jail under Zia for I think six to seven years...have been fighting extremism (US, MQM, Rightist, Feudals, etc) for years. Recently led the Long March across Sindh taking women and Children wtih them they reclaimed public spaces against the feudals/mullah nexus. I ask you to find me one liberal of similar stature. 3 - Taimur Rahman - CMKP - esteemed nationally and internationally for his high Victorian morality. And has never entered debates with rif raf who use 'deplorable language'...after all only those who speak a particular way can be included in discourse! What a champion of a workign classes! 4 - Ali Ahmad Kurd - don't know him too well but has been left for a long time and though not with any particular party has also spent years in prison. After Munir Malik the most important figure - in my partial view - in the lawyers movement - easily the most radical of them all...humble and uncorrupted as far as I know. 5 - Mr. Manto - Workers Party - a lawyer who uses his earnings to support the working class struggle. I don;'t know of any factories where he is employing 15 years old to work 12 hours...maybe they exist! 6 - Assim Sajjad - workers party - don't know him too well but I think it improbale that nay contradictions will be there...and highly esteemed for it. 7 - LPP leadership - it changes as we do not allow anyone to hold the same position for over two terms. However, the full timers that I know tend to be, while they/we engage in Left NGO activities I do not know of any glaring contradictions here either: Farooq Tariq - Spokesperson - in exile during Zia's time...fighting for all liberal issues and of course much more - working with LQM among many others...arrested during Lawyers movement... Masood M - in jail during Zia's time...working class as they get...does n Bushra Khalid = runs Women's workers helpline (a women NGO that works with working women) and part of the Federal executive committee of LPP... Also, there are many many others who I do not know yet and am getting to know. Mostly credible... internationalist Socialist...too... And many others...and I will include Aman though he would be annoyed but I think he is another good example of someone that consciously tries to keep these contradictions at bay... This is a partial list. let us draw a similar list of Liberals...with the domestic servants and child labour...and farms labours (ppp liberals) and farm houses, and ill gotten wealth - nepotism...(father knew someone and got me this deal, etc)...NGO's corruption etc. Let me add that the Left parties also have internal democracy. LPP holds yearly convention and all posts are elected. Likewise, I was present at




the Workers party elections. They work mirco because people are not joining them as much as faults of their own. A few new members of LPP have over the last few years have allowed us to achieve so much more. If you join we can work more. As stated - you want to fight for Jinnah's Pakistan - join the Left. Put your energies in to these parties. Imran Khan, PPP, liberal marches when things go wrong, are not sufficient anymore. We need be proactive and not reactive...these are valuable platforms that need to be availed. They are not set in stone in terms of policy. Interact, internal democracy is key and exists in many such Left parties. Again, they are not set in stone. Be radical. Don't play safe. The mainstream has no answers - create the answers. Again, liberals abandon ship and join the left.

January 9 at 12:28am · Like · 2 people

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Touseef Arshad Chaudhary @Q just wanted to say plz include the struggle of meraj muhammad khan, minhaj barna, hassan nasir, dr sarwar, mukhtar rana etc to ur list. regards


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Qalandar Memon

Sidra, Aman, Shakila - polemics and heat are fine. There is always time for disagreement in thought (it does not exclude unity in action - I was at a rally where Taimur was only yesterday, so what!...we are not children, etc ) and I don't...See More


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Abdul Hanan Sheikh I read ur first note, n I really love it.


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Hammad Hanjra u r ry8 sir


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Rabia Shahid I am in love with this note Mr. Q! well said!





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