Makhdoom Amin Fahim

Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Fahim ????? ???? ???? ????? is the leader of the Sarwari Jamat of Sindh. He is a poet and senior Pakistani politician belonging to 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

Makhdoom AMin Fahim was born in Makhdoom family of Hala, 60 kilometers from Hyderabad on August 4, 1939, Fahim is known for his loyality with his Pakistan People’s Party. 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 1969 by 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?from his native town Hala. In 1958, he got admission in political science department of Sindh University, and did his bachelors in 1961.

Fahim?has been?the Vice-Chairman of the PPP, and is also the Parliamentary Leader of the same party in the National Assembly. He was a federal minister in both of Benazir Bhutto governments. He was Communications Minister from December 1988 to August 1990 and Railways Minister from December 1988 to March 1989. In the second government, Fahim was Minister for Housing and Works from January 1994 to November 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).

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, 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. 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. 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.

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

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 favorite 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 province after 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 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.