TORONTO: Has Wajid Khan, the Liberal MP for Mississauga-
Streetsville, made a great political blunder by accepting, allegedly
after secret deliberations and deal, the position of Special Adviser
to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Middle East and South Asia? What
prompted and compelled him to make such a decision against the
wishes of most of the Canadians and people of his riding,
particularly the Muslim and Pakistani communities?
Apparently, he has lost credibility and trust and confidence
of the people. His political career and leadership role seem doomed.
The Muslim and Pakistani communities are not confused but completely
shocked, surprised and angered by his decision to join hand with
Stephen Harper, whose some policies and actions are being bitterly
criticized and strongly condemned by most Canadians. By this
decision, has Wajid Khan really ditched the people and the party and
only protected and promoted his vested interests?
There are lots of pricking questions being raised, anger
directed and accusing fingers pointed towards Wajid Khan. I kept
following the situation and developments and also remained under
intense pressure of the furious people, particularly community
leaders, to openly condemn Wajid Khan for the alleged betrayal. For
objective analysis and constructive criticism, I had to be extremely
cautious. Wajid Khan's opponents and enemies are out to fully
exploit the situation and make sure his political career ends at any
cost. The beneficiaries are few but the loser is the whole Muslim,
particularly Pakistani, community.
WAJID'S VIEWS: On August 13, 2006, on the occasion of
Pakistan Independence Day Celebrations, I got the chance of meeting
him. I told him: "Wajid Khan the people are badly hurt, very much
disturbed, furious and against you over what you did. They consider
your action as betrayal and want to know why you did all this and
let the Muslim community and most of the people of your riding down?"
Wajid Khan smiled and confidently said: "I am just doing
what I consider is right and in the best interest of the people,
community and Canada. I am not afraid of the opponents and would
definitely prove them wrong by my contributions. The exploiters are
trying their best to create problems for me, destroy my political
career and only harm the people. I will not let them succeed, even
if I have to fight alone"
He said: "I am determined to serve and lead all the people as a true
Canadian leader. People would understand soon that my move is really
positive and in their greater interest. I don't want to waste my
precious time on those who want to distract me from my vision, aim
and commitments."
Wajid said: "I can help guide and create awareness as to what should
be done. I can help educate and create better understanding. I am
confident that I can do all these. I am a Liberal MP but despite
this the Conservative government has considered me fit for this
important assignment and included me in their team. This indeed is
an honour for me to represent Canada and the people."
He said: "I am a very successful person, a rich businessman and well
settled in Canada. I am not a controversial figure, greedy, selfish
or power hungry and only responded to the call in the greater
national interest, which is dearest to me.
JEALOUS: Wajid Khan said: "My opponents mostly are jealous of my
success. They mostly exploit the people but none dare to come
forward and serve them. They are only interested in votes and notes
(money) and not the people or their issues. This is their reality.
People understand and know them very well. They remain busy in
pleasing their leaders just to achieve their vested interests. What
I have done, they only dream of. When you need them, they are not
found anywhere."
He said: "I have done practical and positive work and served Canada
and the people and that is why I have been chosen for this
assignment. I intend to contribute in much better ways. I am
confident of achieving my goal."
ALLEGATIONS: Some community leaders allege: "Wajid Khan has badly
disappointed the people by not giving `ATTENTION' to them. He
mostly tows the party's and personal interests instead of helping
the voters. It is the party which promoted him for Muslim
representation and not the people."
The leaders question Wajid Khan's credibility and loyalty. "Just ask
him what he did for the people? What are his contributions for the
people? He has no answers because he did nothing for them, badly
disappointed them and let them down. He has only served his own
interests."
They allege: "Stephen Harper has saved his people and will use him
as a tool to promote his policies. Wajid Khan would pay dearly for
this blunder. This shows that he lacks vision."
Shahid Hashmi, Chairman of Canpak Chamber of Commerce and a known
community leader, said: "I am ready to support any positive approach
of Wajid Khan and have no grudge against him but he has disappointed
the people till now. I too keep asking as to what he did or does for
the people? Unfortunately, he has failed to meet expectations of the
people. His decision to become adviser of Stephen Harper has badly
hurt the feelings of the people, particularly Muslim and Pakistani
community. He has lost credibility, trust and confidence."
BETRAYAL: Sajjad Haider of Iqbal Academy was very angry with Wajid
Khan and strongly criticized him for supporting anti-Muslim lobby
and joining it. He said: "It's a betrayal of the people and party.
His reality has been fully exposed. How can we expect any good from
him, Khalid Usman or any such persons?"
He also criticized Khalid Usman for supporting a Liberal leader who,
instead of condemning brutalities, openly supports Israel's wrong
actions and policies. Such people work only for their vested
interests and not for the people, he added.
The decision of Wajid Khan is being considered as an issue of
loyalty and leadership. People, particularly of his riding, are very
much concerned, disturbed and say that they reserve the right to
question him. They say that their valuable votes and interests are
at stake.
BIG JOLT: Muslims are mostly unhappy with foreign policies of
Stephen Harper and allege that he is backing and following the
wrong policies of President Bush. In view of this, Wajid Khan's
decision will definitely give him a big jolt and adversely affect
his political career as well.
Wajid Khan must have taken this and many other factors into
consideration before saying `YES' to Stephen Harper and putting the
leadership and career into jeopardy. No doubt, Wajid Khan has the
capabilities and abilities to serve and lead the people. He is a
trained and talented professional and a successful businessman. This
is why the Muslim and Pakistani communities expect greatly from him.
They are looking towards him for true representation and as a strong
voice.
Wajid Khan must understand this and make all his decisions and moves
carefully and in the interest of the people. If he fails then it
would become extremely difficult for any Pakistani to join the
leadership race, win trust and confidence of the people and the
party and get elected. The message is loud and clear. Even one wrong
move can be disastrous for the whole Muslim community.
Javed Zaheer (Masters in International Relations), Canadian of
Pakistani Origin (CPO), Professional Freelance Journalist, Veteran
Active Member (VAM) of Toronto Press Club, Member of The Ontario
Club, Member of National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada
(NEPMCC), Council Member of Karachi Press Club (Pakistan), served as
Senior Sub-Editor of Pakistan's leading English Daily DAWN (1986-
1999). Associated with Journalism Profession since 1974 and
believes in fierce and free _expression.
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