7 ‘Mujhe Kyun Nikala’ moments Pakistan saw in 2017
- By Azhar Khan -
- Dec 22, 2017
The 2017 saw many top Pakistan leaders, in fact a sitting prime minister, being shown the door either by the courts or the government itself, triggering outpour of anger from the ‘victims’ and outburst of joy from their detractors.
The most prominent ouster of all was undoubtedly that of then prime minister Nawaz Sharif in July when the apex court ordered him to step down after series of probes in the Panama Papers case, but his babyish objection to dismissal ‘Mujhe Kyun Nikala’ became a viral meme.
It garnered so much popularity that it became symbolized for other ousters that followed and can further be transformed into “Hamein Kyun Nikala” to sum up an outcry of all axed politicians.
The objection raised by terminated leaders only goes to prove an epic observation shared by somebody on the social media “Every politician in #Pakistan agrees that the judgments of courts should be respected. It’s just that each party respects a different set of judgments.”
Here we will shed light at the ‘political/professional’ end of our leaders before beginning of the New Year.
Nawaz sharif still desperate to know ‘Mujhe Kyun Nikala’
The most high-profile dismissal of the year was undoubtedly that of Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister. His exit on July 28 redefined the political landscape of the country.
The apex court declared Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ineligible to rule in its historic judgment after corruption charges against him and his family for stashing wealth abroad beyond known sources of income.
His ouster created a virtual political turmoil with all eyes on the ruling party and buzzing around its future. It was all politicking until one day the axed PM bemoaned his expulsion in the most childish manner shouting in a rally: “Mujhe Kyun Nikala” – it became a popular catchline for many TV news channels afterwards and later it transformed into a viral meme.
Tariq Fatemi – The ousted ‘scapegoat’
Some called he was made scapegoat to defuse mounting pressure on the government in the Dawn Leaks inquiry, but then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif didn’t hesitate in ordering his Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi to resign over the scandal.
Alike others in the ‘ousted league’, Fatemi also had earlier refused to tender his resignation, and said that he had nothing to do with the Dawn leaks controversy.
He even had reportedly warned to reveal the names of others involved if he was removed unceremoniously from the post.
The Dawn leaks scandal was all about a sensitive news item published on October 6, 2016 in a leading English daily reporting a rift between the government and the military.
Zafar Hijazi – ‘Guilty, arrested, terminated’
He was perhaps the least-known of all those terminated and ultimately joining the ‘ousted league’. But Zafar Hijazi headed key Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) that shot him to prominence.
He was also among those found guilty in the Panama Papers case probe. The Joint investigation team (JIT) for Panama case had found former SECP Chairman guilty of tampering the records of companies owned by the Sharif family.
Supreme Court had ordered FIA to launch probe against him in which he was charged. In his appearance to the court, he was arrested and later terminated by the government.
To his extreme disappointment, nobody stood by his side to ask ‘Inhay Kyun Nikala’.
Zahid Hamid – ‘From Nahi Niklongan to Kyun Nikala’
After Nawaz Sharif, Zahid Hamid’s forced dismissal as the law minister could be dubbed the second most unfortunate one. The minister as his first reaction to clamours of his exit sounded as ‘Main Nahi Niklongan’, but eventually ended up submitting himself to persistent demands of violent protesters and joined the ‘Mujhe Kyun Nikala’ league.
Hamid after weeks of resistance finally caved in to the demands of religious protesters who accused the minister for his key role in amending the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat oath for electoral candidates and linked it to the blasphemy.
The law minister’s resignation was the key demand of the protesting Tahreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA) camped out at the capital’s main artery for three weeks.
The minister’s resignation came as the government failed to evict the protesters from Faizabad Interchange, an arterial traffic intersection in Islamabad, during a crackdown.
Jahangir Tareen – ‘ATM out of order for life’
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Dec 15 announced its much-talked-about verdict, disqualifying top Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Jahangir Tareen who is also a major financer of the party.
He injects so much money to party funds that some politicians like Bilawal Bhutto mockingly referred him as the ‘ATM’.
Tareen was disqualified in the wake of petitions filed by PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi who argued in his plea that Tareen and Imran Khan be sacked for not disclosing their assets and ownership of the offshore companies.
The bench disqualified Jehangir Tareen from membership of the national assembly under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution for being dishonest.
Though, Tareen didn’t raise any hue and cry after his ouster, but his party associates reacted like “Isay kyun nikalaa” in their collective displeasure.
Cursed by TV channels, Absar Alam gets ouster in ‘unexpected fine’
The unexpected yet the surprising one was Pemra chief Absar Alam’s exit who was ordered by the Lahore High Court (LHC) to relinquish his charge.
The court set aside the appointment of Alam as the Chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority. The court ruled that the appointment of Alam was made in flagrant violation of merit and the Supreme Court’s judgments in this regard.
His appointment was invalidated following after a petition was filed against him. The petitioner had contended that Alam was appointed on the key post owing to his closeness with the PML-N government, which relaxed law on the qualification required for Pemra chief to accommodate him.
Shortly after the court orders, Alam left his office and announced it in the public as well. But he was also a focus of memes and three-word moaning primarily attributed to ousted Sharif.
Dr Asim –‘Mujhe (Itni Dair Se) Kyun Nikala’
Unlike all the aforementioned, Dr. Asim Hussain of Pakistan People’s Party must have been the happiest man (of sorts) after his plea was finally accepted by the Supreme Court after months to strike his name off the Exit Control List.
The ex-federal minister was hanging around in desperate wait to become the ‘Mujhe Kyun Nikalo’ dude. He was looking for his ‘ouster’ for months, but from the ECL. Cos there was nothing left for him to be ousted from.