Gutsy Marvi steps down...goes solo?

Marvi Memon's slogan for 'haq' seems in line with PTI’s call for justice. I’m looking forward to her new beginning.

Sadaf Khan June 23, 2011
I won’t lie – I’ve often made fun of Marvi Memon’s overzealous emotional style, her long winded breathless sentences without full stops and the almost audible exclamation mark at the end of her sound bytes.

At times, I have used her high pitched quotes to add a bit of life to an otherwise dull TV report. More often than not, when I have seen her protesting on the streets I have wondered why a parliamentarian who claims to care so much for the masses, would associate herself with a party whose manifesto seems to focus on regaining power.

On Wednesday, as the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), a fresh part of the coalition government, voted in favour of the budget, Memon broke free of the party whose politics seemed to constantly collide with her principles.

Rendering her resignation from PML-Q and subsequently the National Assembly, Memon said that she wants to impress upon the people that they do not have to accept a government that robs them daily. A great sentiment, but we have yet to see what alternates she presents before the masses.

There have always been doubts about Memon's politics, but I for one, have never denied that this young former parliamentarian is a go-getter.

Her statements might have been more emotional than logical (her support for former president General Pervez Musharraf has at times bordered on disturbing) and her protests will always have a political point scoring tag, but at least, Memon has never stopped at delivering criticism.

Be it floods, extremism or the country’s failing economy, this London School of Economics (LSE) graduate has always come forth with a plan – a good or bad, it has been a plan nonetheless and that solution oriented approach is something that sets her apart.

Her charisma as a leader was apparent in PML-Q’s Gilgit-Batistan (GB) campaign. Her connection with the people can be seen in any of the sit-ins and protests she has ever been a part of. For someone who resigned before completing her first term as a parliamentarian, Memon sure has a following.

Considering her track record, it isn’t likely that she would take a step this big without a proper plan. So while she denies plans to join any other political party and vows to continue her struggle for the people via the judiciary, on the roads and through other means, one can’t help but wonder if there is any truth in the rumours about her possible attachment to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

Afterall, her slogan for 'haq' seems to be in line with PTI’s call for justice.

Whether she joins Imran Khan or decides to play it solo, I’m looking forward to Marvi’s new beginning.

So here’s to Memon, whose exit from the parliament is true to her own style of politics – gutsy and good willed, a little impractical maybe but in the dirty arena of Pakistan’s politics I would gladly take the bold, sincere gesture as a great precedent and hope that more parliamentarians would opt out of voting in favour of policies that serve the rulers instead of the people.
WRITTEN BY:
Sadaf Khan A broadcast journalist based in Islamabad who was formerly associated with Geo News and Dunya News. She blogs at http://ibteda.wordpress.com/
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (32)

Fahad Raza | 12 years ago | Reply @Mooed: Now that is whats called a political gimmick, he resigned from NA but no from his party.. I wonder why?? Jamshed dasti is our master cheap thriller once he was disqualified on fake degree if i remember then reelected i wonder how now most probably he didnt get any fund so he sought ot resign. He never published his resignation to media or public where as Marvi memon made a stand on pakistan have you taken any care to read her resignation charge sheet mate. and she opnely refused her party's stance on joining the government for ministries. She sat on neumerous dharnas alongside commoners whether constituents or not. and stood in blistering heat. Jamshed dasti and his kind are he curse for pakistan and marvi memon are the blessings, besides marvi responds often responds to question and comment from various people i am not special or elite FYi. you can do it too
Mooed | 12 years ago | Reply @Fahad Raza: recently jamshed dasti had also resigned from NA on 'principle' http://tribune.com.pk/story/180090/jamshed-dasti-resigns-from-national-assembly/ I hope that you also respect him as much as you respect marvi just because she uses twitter and communicates with you elites does not make her 'best politician' (she isn't a peoples leader anyway because she was on reserved seat)
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