Even though Makhdoom literally means ‘the beloved leader of the people’, many of the political Makhdooms had betrayed their followers and parties by cutting deals to acquire power and position. Amin Faheem could have easily become Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Malik Meraj Khalid or Sardar Farooq Leghari, but he chose to remain Makhdoom – the adored leader of the people. The powers that be kept knocking at his door with offers as big as the premiership, and the chief ministership of Sindh. Yet he preferred to remain loyal to his party and his followers. He exuded humility. Those who made him these lucrative offers were unable to read his strong resolve hidden under his broad smile. Had it been the Utopian world of Plato, the poet-politician – Makhdoom Amin Fahim – would have been an ideal candidate for prime ministership. But in the world of brutal pragmatism, he seemed content to play the role of a good deputy who performed the role of the second-in-command in the party with utmost patience, all the while tolerating all the injustices he had to face at the hands of both his allies and his detractors. In the cut-throat world of Pakistani politics, it is quite easy to become a ‘treacherous Brutus’, but very hard to be a ‘loyal Antony’. After the execution of Ceasar Bhutto, the Sindhi uncles of Benazir Bhutto including Mumtaz Bhutto, Abdul Hafeez Pirzada and Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi simply ditched her by cutting politically expedient deals that suited them. But the Makhdooms of Hala remained loyal and extended unwavering support to ZAB’s daughter even during the harsh tenure of General Mohammad Ziaul Haq. But not all the Makhdooms of Hala are of the same brand. Amin Faheem’s younger half brother, Makhdoom Khaliquz Zaman joined politics much later but was quick to out-run the slow-paced Amin Faheem. At that time, it seemed as if the firebrand and pompous Khaliq had eclipsed the low-toned and humble Faheem. Like all the fast-track politicians, though, Khaliq tumbled down from both power and politics due to his over ambitious and reckless speed while the slow but sure Makhdoom Amin Faheem kept his usual slow pace, which eventually helped him cross milestones. Makhdoom was a man of taste, with a special love for good poetry, drinks and beauty. Like a true liberal, he had never hidden these preferences from anyone. He used to enjoy the night like a traditional poet but spent his days like a hardworking politician who gave time to everyone. Though Amin Fahim was unassuming, he was very sure of himself. He once told me in an interview: “I am not crazy for power and don’t run fast in politics”. Though always very friendly with me, he usually avoided being interviewed by me, fearing queries about his multiple marriages and love affairs. However, as the chairman of the PPP Parliamentarians, he had to give me time for an interview. As I asked him about his multiple marriages, the Makhdoom very confidently answered, “I have three wives”. I returned home from Karachi and was still preparing the draft of the interview for Daily Jang when I received a call from Makhdoom Sahib for a correction in one of his answers to my question. I readily agreed as it was his prerogative. He then corrected the figure of his marriages to be four in all. The interview was still being finalised when he sent an emissary to me with a request to simply delete the question of marriages from the interview. I politely declined, citing professional ethics, but offered that Makhdoom Sahib could still correct the figure of the marriages. Makhdoom Sahib finally chose the figure of three and I printed that as such. We later had many more meetings during which he became friendlier, even after my refusal to delete the controversial question. Makhdoom was the most seasoned parliamentarian – along with Syed Qaim Ali Shah. He had returned to the National Assembly eight times with no defeat in his political career which is rare indeed. Politics is a cruel game in which the patience of the players is tested all the time. Makhdoom was put to this test many a time. He was kept out of the cabinet, though he merited inclusion: his son and brothers were ignored for top slots in the PPP and the government. The Makhdooms of Hala were punished many times just due to a fictitious threat from this biggest spiritual seat of Sindh. Makhdoom Amin Fahim tolerated all these attacks and was vindicated in the end, proving that all doubts about the so-called ambitions of the Makhdoom family were baseless. I have fond memories of dozens of political and social meetings with Makhdoom Amin Faheem. Incidentally, through all these years, we met in London, Dubai, New York, Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and even in his hometown of Hala. I had travelled to Hala to record my TV programme ‘Aik Din Geo Kay Saath’ during the floods and saw with my own eyes the respect he had among his spiritual disciples from the Sarwari Jamaat. He was a positive person who had promoted many but opposed none. The last good news Makhdoom Amin Fahim might have heard was the victory of his next generation in the local bodies elections. The handing over of the political and spiritual candle to the next generation in a smooth way must have helped him transition peacefully. The writer is senior editor, editorial pages Jang.
