Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) formed in 1967 by the country’s most popular leader, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has survived many difficult times in the last five decades.
The party has given chances to many faces, belonging to middle-class society, like Taj Haider, Farhatullah Babar, Krishna Kumari, and Anwar Lal Dean.
One such name is Anthony Naveed, who hails from a small area of Karachi. He is the Information Secretary of the PPP Minority Wing Sindh, as well as a member of the Sindh Assembly. In conversation with MM News, he discusses the situation of minorities in Pakistan.
MM News: Tell us your family background?
Anthony Naveed: I belong to poverty-stricken, obscure regions which had previously received little attention from their Muslim representatives. I have struggled throughout my life and now I am serving as a member of the Provincial Assembly.
MM News: Why did who choose politics? And who is your idol?
Anthony Naveed: Politics is considered flawed in the class to which I belong. However, if educated people don’t play their part in society, the matters will never be resolved. That’s the reason I chose this path. I consider Jesus Christ as my idol and try to follow him. However, I also follow the footsteps of Benazir Bhutto, Nelson Mandela.
MM News: What is your biggest goal in politics?
Anthony Naveed: My biggest goal is to protect the rights of all minorities in Pakistan, including the Christian community, and empowering them socially, politically and economically.
MM News: What problems minorities are facing and how can they be resolved?
Anthony Naveed: The biggest problems minorities, including Christians, are facing, graveyard shortage and absence of a special residential scheme, as well as provide relief in admission in academic institutions. I think it is important to participate in politics to protect rights and solve problems. Unless you become part of the system, your problems will not be solved.
MM News: What steps have you taken so far for the rights of minorities?
Anthony Naveed: Even before I was a minister, I was raising my voice for the rights of minorities. We are still working on legislation in the Sindh Assembly to protect the rights of minorities and a bill in this regard will be tabled in the Sindh Assembly soon and it is hoped that more laws will be finalized during the ongoing tenure.
MM News: Is politics a game of money?
Anthony Naveed: Politics is considered not only a game of money but a place where you can make money. But the PPP, unlike the politics of money in the country, has given chances to people, belonging to the lower segment of the society.
MM News: Where do you see the PPP in future politics?
Anthony Naveed: The so-called Tableedi leaders, occupying Pakistan with the slogan of justice and accountability, have destroyed the country in every way. Liars and dishonest politicians have so far taken no practical steps for the country. Due to the successful strategy of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the PDM defeated the incompetent government in the Senate elections. The future of PPP is very bright and Bilawal Bhutto, the only hope for the millions of youth, will be the next Prime Minister.
MM News: The main reason why Karachi’s problems have not been solved?
Anthony Naveed: Thousands of bogus recruits in Karachi’s local bodies looted resources and instead of spending on public services, they kept filling their pockets. And because of these people, the problems were not being solved. However, after the end of the local government system and the Sindh government is taking steps, and today Karachi is in front of everyone. Development work is underway across the city. Recently, the Malir Expressway has been a great gift to the people of Karachi.
MM News: Why PPP is being criticized?
Anthony Naveed: PPP government has been serving the people of Sindh since 2008 and despite all the efforts of the opposition, the PPP vote bank is growing. In this regard, political orphans are targeting the Sindh government to divert attention from the PPP’s public services.
MM News: Your view on PM Imran’s packages for Karachi?
Anthony Naveed: Imran Khan had announced before the election that the Prime Minister will now be from Karachi and interestingly, he was the first to leave the Karachi seat after winning the election. Therefore, the people of Karachi should now understand that how serious Imran Khan is with Karachi.
MM News: The real reason behind 18th Amendment?
Anthony Naveed: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) dream was to give rights to provinces. Because before the 18th Amendment, there was a sense of deprivation in the provinces as their whole earnings went to the federal. It is important to remember that the federal is because of the provinces. The PPP has given rights to the provinces to end the sense of deprivation and strengthen the relationship between the provinces and the Centre.
MM News: Your opinion on Karachi census?
Anthony Naveed: Census is a problem not only for Karachi but for the whole of Pakistan. The people of Pakistan have never been told the real population. If we do not know the exact population, a fair distribution of resources will not be possible. If the state has to improve the lives of its people, it needs to come up with accurate census data.
MM News: Will Yousuf Raza Gilani’s win the Chairman Senate post?
Anthony Naveed: As far as statistics are concerned, our opposition has a majority for the chairmanship of the Senate and now the moral imperative is that the government should admit defeat and withdraw its candidate.
MM News: Bilawal Bhutto’s future in politics?
Anthony Naveed: As I earlier told, Bilawal Bhutto will be the next Prime Minister of the country. Bilawal Bhutto had the biggest role in persuading the PDM to participate in the Senate elections instead of resigning from the Assemblies.
