‘I warned the PPP against siding with the PML-N to oust the PTI govt’

Interview

aitzaz ahsan,
Senior advocate at the Supreme Court of Pakistan

Senator Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, was born in the famous hill station of Murree on 27 September 1945. A lawyer by profession, he is also a politician affiliated with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and has served as Federal Minister for Law and Justice during 1988-90. During this period he also held the additional portfolios of Interior and Narcotics Control

He received early education from the Atchison College and the Government College Lahore. He then went to study law at the Cambridge University in UK and was called to the bar at Grays’ Inn in 1967.

Upon his return from Cambridge, Ahsan appeared for, and topped, the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination, but refused to join government service under a military regime which was in power then.

He started his political career in 1970s, and was elected to the Senate in 1994. He eventually rose to the position of the leader of the House, and later served as the leader of the Opposition during 1996-99 when the PPP was in the opposition.

Ahsan is renowned for his resistance to anti-democratic and despotic tendencies in Pakistani politics. His eloquent speeches and his command of the law make him one of the most recognizable Pakistani politicians today.

Aitzaz was a minister in the provincial cabinet of Punjab when the opposition Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) started a protest accusing the ruling PPP of rigging the 1977 elections. He resigned his office in protest, and was subsequently expelled from the party.

He rejoined the PPP during Gen Ziaul Haq’s martial law regime that followed, and became an active leader of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD). He was jailed for nearly two years without a trial.

In 1988, he was elected to the National Assembly from a Lahore constituency.

He won again in 1990, but lost in 1993. In 1994 he was elected to the Senate of Pakistan. He was re-elected to the National Assembly in the 2002 general elections. He contested and won from two seats – his traditional seat in Lahore, and a seat from Bahawalnagar.

As a senior advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Ahsan is a recognized and well-respected lawyer, consistently given the highest rank by the UK-based Chambers and Partners, a firm that issues annual rankings of the international legal industry.

What is your morning like?

Aitzaz Ahsan (AA): No different than that of any layman in the country. I wake up, take a bath and eat breakfast while reading a newspaper. Then I get ready for the office.

When do you prepare your court cases?

AA: Throughout the day. I work on cases with my associates, friends and colleagues. I don’t do that alone.

What was your routine like when you were young?

AA: Given the fact that I have been practicing law since before getting married, it was almost the same. Back then, I would take up more cases than I do now, would be at the court more frequently and much earlier than I do now. I didn’t have many associates then, so I used to deal with each case myself. Now I can afford to keep a more relaxed schedule.

Why is your office located in your house?

AA: Just as the famous saying goes, there’s a woman behind every successful man. It was suggested by my intelligent wife. So, while I can get all the hard work done with the help of my colleagues and associates, I can also draw in help from my son who is studying law and will benefit from our work. And it also gives my wife a chance to keep an eye on what I’m doing and who all I’m meeting (laughs).

What did you start first? Politics or Legal practice?

AA: Politics. It was something that ran in my blood. I was just one year old when my mother got arrested for her political activities in 1946. Both my grandfather and my father were my mentors in politics. When I went to Government College Lahore, I participated in the election campaign supporting Madar-e-Millat Fatima Jinnah. We conducted that campaign through various cities across Punjab, especially in Gujrat.

Why did you choose the legal profession then?

AA: I had a revolutionary mind. I loved reading Karl Marx with friends. So, I was looking for a field where I could earn a living and also make time for politics. I had no inclination for a 9 to 5 job.

Any legal case that you find interesting and are unable to forget?

AA: So far in my life, I have fought a number of high-profile cases involving the corporate sector and tax evasions etc. I have taken up cases to free clients facing death-sentence and life imprisonment. They all have been very close to my heart. But the most interesting of them all was a series of 7 cases involving the late Benazir Bhutto, all of which ended in her favor.

If you are given a chance to switch careers, which profession would you like to choose and why?

AA: Legal profession. I have learned a lot from this profession. I acquired much love and respect from people, friends, clients and colleagues, and have gathered a lot of prayers. My legal practice is not just practicing the law, it is the definition of my existence on this planet. It is the reason why I wake up every morning, and get ready.

Be it politics or law, taking advantage of the benefit of doubt, or living off a lie, is a common practice in both professions. How far do you agree with this idea?

AA: Call it a lie, diplomacy between the allies, corporate manipulation, political correctness or even professional smartness, a lie is a lie at the end of the day, and it can be practiced in any profession worldwide, not just in law or politics. But the point to ponder is, that in law there is a flexibility, that even if a party to a dispute is or is not lying, one wins and the other loses on the merits of justice.

Do you think the ouster of the Imran government and PPP’s alliance with PML-N have added to its popularity in Punjab?

AA: From day one, I have been telling my party members that if PPP sided with PML-N to oust Imran, it would add to no one’s but Imran’s popularity. I have also told them the fact that if Imran’s government is ousted, a pandora’s box will open which will devour the support of both the PPP and PML-N. The results are there for everyone to see.

Are you very rich?

AA: God has bestowed countless blessings upon me, some of which I inherited and some are the fruits of my own hard work. I am happy with the wealth I have and thank the Almighty for that.

Who is your favorite poet?

AA: I am a die-hard fan of classical poets like Mir, Ghalib, Dagh, Iqbal.

Do you write poetry?

AA: I do at times. When I’m free and relaxed, words sometimes begin to dawn on me.

What is your opinion about beauty?

AA: Everyone adores beauty. Even God is beautiful and appreciates beauty. It is beauty that keeps us all alive and kicking.

Your student life was apparently quite social. Did you ever fall in love?

AA: Back in the college days, I used to be a romantic soul. I remember that I would build relations very quickly, and had many friends. But I’m afraid if I say it all here, my wife is going to get cross with me. (Smiles)

What challenges did you have to face in politics?

AA: On a personal level, I have experienced imprisonments, have faced business losses and many other trials and tribulations.

What was the most difficult decision of your life?

AA: Not joining the Civil Service of Pakistan. I think in Pakistani society, it is really important to get socially and economically stable in a prestigious way. The Civil Service had given me that opportunity, but I declined.

How much time do you spare for reading books?

AA: I do have an amazing team which works really hard to deal with all legal cases on our desk. I just present those cases before the court and deal with the arguments. So, I am left with plenty of time to read books.

What kind of books do you read?

AA: World history and Culture. My first book, Indus Saga, also reflects my passion for both these domains.

Tell us about any in-door or out-door sport that you like to play.

AA: Cricket on the historic pitch of Zaman Park. That pitch produced three great cricketers who earned global recognition; Javaid Burki, Majid Khan and Imran Khan. By the way, I played with Majid in the same team while Imran was still a child. I remember I represented Aitchison as well as Government College on that pitch.

How do you make time to deal with the complicated Pakistani politics?

AA: I adapted myself to this pace of life many years ago. I am a staunch believer of spontaneity in life and cater to every task and duty as a challenge. I try my best to visit my constituency twice or thrice a week. I listen to their problems, attend the occasions of their bliss and sorrow, and push for the development of the locality. People really respect me.

Any wish regarding politics of the country?

AA: I wish to witness one completely transparent, independent and fair election in this country.

While serving as an Interior Minister in Benazir Bhutto’s government, you were accused of sharing a list of Sikh terrorists with India. How far is this allegation true?

AA: (Laughs) I want to make it very clear that such lists do not actually exist. And secondly, no Interior Minister would ever commit such a naive act of sharing information which amounts to admitting that terrorism is promoted in one’s own country.

Your political rivals say that you left Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s companionship at a time when he needed you most. Do you agree?

AA: Back in those days, when the lawyers were attacked, I had submitted my resignation from the provincial ministry, not from the party. When Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was in the death-cell, I along with Malik Ghulam Jillani were burning midnight oil to get his death sentence rewoked.

It is also said that you make a successful opposition leader but always fail as a minister.

AA: I take it as a compliment (laughs). I do not find anything bad in this. Attaining mastery in one skill in a lifetime is the ultimate accomplishment.

Is this the Pakistan you want to live in? How do you want this country to evolve?

AA: Well, I want to see it attain success and prosperity. I dream to see every citizen as a tolerant and flexible being. I wish the people to evolve with time and leave behind old illiterate ways. I want to see them being lenient than being rigid in terms of imposing their beliefs on others.

You have known Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto from close quarters. Which one do you think was a better politician, and why?

AA: It’s a herculean task to draw a comparison between these dynamic personalities. To my surprise, they were very similar and yet quite different from each other. In the light of my observations and perspective, I can summarise the crux of their personalities into three common aspects:

• Courage – I have witnessed an extreme level of courage in their personalities. They were outstandingly resilient to face challenges, be it on a personal or a professional level. They would simply nail it. Both experienced imprisonments, and given their family background and intellectual profile, I was convinced of their superhuman ability to sport an incomparable level of courage.
• Stamina – Apart from their academic achievements, both had lived a feudal life. And feudals hardly need to put in extra efforts to create a following because they already have a following inherited from their ancestors. Yet they had the strength and the motivation to handle 20-30 mass-gatherings in a day, building connections through communications and meeting people in-person.
• Intellectual Intelligence – This is something one would hear from anyone who ever met them. People would get mesmerized by the charm of their sharp intellect and incredible intelligence.
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But of course, from among the two, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s political insight, wisdom and charisma was second to none.