Makhdoom Ameen Faheem

Infobox Politician


honorific-prefix =
name =Makhdoom Amin Fahim
مخدوم محمد امين فهيم
honorific-suffix =
imagesize =150px
small| caption =
office =Senior Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party
term_start =
term_end =
alongside =
predecessor =Makhdoom Talib-ul-Mola
successor =Incumbent
birth_date =August 4, 1939
birth_place =Hala, Sindh, Pakistan
death_date =
death_place =
nationality =Pakistani
party =Pakistan Peoples Party
spouse =
children =
residence =Makhdoom House,Hala.
alma_mater =
occupation =
profession =
religion =Islam


website = [http://www.ppp.org.pk/ PPP website]
footnotes =

Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Fahim ( _sd. مخدوم محمد امين فھيم) ( _ur. مخدوم محمد امین فہیم) is a Pakistani politician of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). He was formerly Vice-Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians in the lower house of the Parliament of Pakistan, the National Assembly and Parliamentary Leader of his party in National Assembly of Pakistan after Benazir Bhutto's exile. He also served as Federal Minister during Benazir Bhutto's tenure.

Early Years

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 Pakistanipolitics 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-Mola, the spiritual leader of "Sarwari Jammat" of Pakistan, was one of the founding members of the PPP — which was founded in 1969by 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 is the Vice-Chairman of the PPP, and is also the Parliamentary Leader of the same party in the National Assembly. 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 Fahim is affectionately known by his followers as, "he whose presence brings good harvests."

His father Makhdoom Talib-ul-Mola was a prominent and respected religious leader. An agriculturist by profession, Makhdoom Amin Fahim has a BA degree. Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Fahim is married and has traveled to Brazil, Chile, Europe, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Spain, U.S.A and the Middle East.

Makhdoom Amin Fahim was mentioned as a possible chairman for the PPP in the wake of the December 27 2007 assassination of PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, [David Rohde, [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/28/world/asia/28assess.html?ex=1356498000&en=5018468118d730c4&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss "Musharraf’s Political Future Appears Troubled"] , "The New York Times", December 28, 2007.] but Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari were named party co-chairs and Fahim was considered the party's probable candidate for Prime Minister. [cite news |title=Revenge mission that will have to wait |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article3110390.ece |publisher=Times Online |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2008-03-16] However, the PPP hesitated to name Fahim as its candidate following its victory in the February 2008 election. It was suggested that Asif Ali Zardari might be reluctant to nominate Fahim as Prime Minister because he is worried that Fahim could strengthen his political base in Sindh and threaten the influence of the Bhutto family there. [Jo Johnson, [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/3653db10-ec5b-11dc-86be-0000779fd2ac.html "Party fails to name PM candidate"] , "Financial Times", March 7, 2008.] On March 15 2008, Fahim said that he did not understand why the PPP had still not named him as its candidate. It is rumored that he secretly met with President Pervez Musharraf, causing a rift with the party leadership; other speculation centered on the possibility that Zardari wants to become Prime Minister himself, which would require him to win a future by-election. According to Fahim, if Zardari wanted to take the position for himself, Fahim would support him. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/15/asia/AS-GEN-Pakistan.php "Pakistan: Bhutto party says PM candidate to be named next week"] , Associated Press ("International Herald Tribune"), March 15, 2008.]

The PPP nominated Yousaf Raza Gilani as Prime Minister on March 22 2008. Although this was viewed as a snub to Fahim, he said that he would not leave the PPP and had the "best wishes" for Gilani. [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23757751/ "Bhutto's party names Pakistani PM candidate"] Associated Press ("MSNBC"), March 22, 2008.]

Ruling People's Hearts

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 seven elections in 1977, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, and 2002 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 keeping Benazir's refusal to appoint Fahim as Chief Minister of Sindh provinceafter 1993 elections in mind.

Political analysts think that Benazir has always been scared of the popularity and influence of Fahim in Sindh province that is why she never opted for appointing him as chief minister. "Benazir never wants a powerful chief minister who has his own say. She wants factotums that is why she never thought about Amin Fahim," Abdul Khalique Ali, a senior political analyst says.

Benazir may be scared of Fahim's popularity, but he never thinks like that.

"Benazir Bhutto is my leader and my Prime Minister. She is the daughter of my leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and I can't betray her", Fahim says.

ee also

* Pakistan Peoples Party
* Makhdoom (title)

References