SOCIALIST UNITY

Mohammad Asghar AM is the first Muslim member of the Welsh Assembly, and was an eye witness of the first assasination attempt on Benazir Bhutto. He speaks to Socialist Unity blog about how he sees politics in Wales, and about the terrible events he witnessed.

Andy Newman: Firstly let me congratulate you on being the first Muslim, and first ethnic minority, member of the Welsh assembly. Many people might be surprised that, in addition to yourself, Plaid also has three Muslim local councillors. Do you think that Plaid’s strong anti-war stance has helped build support among Muslims in Wales?

Mohammad Asghar: There are three Muslim councillors in Wales – Mohammed Islam in Cardiff, Abdul Khan in Conwy and myself in Newport.

We have all been interested in Plaid Cymru for a long time, dating back to the time before the war.

Many Muslims, including myself, have strong views on the war. But our support for Plaid Cymru relates to our policies as a whole – to improve the lives of all the people of Wales – and not just the one issue, important though it is.

Andy Newman: Some in the Labour party, and on the left of politics, criticise Plaid Cymru because they say that nationalist parties are divisive. Do you think there is any danger that the widespread acceptance of multi-culturalism in Britain could be weakened by an increased stress of Welsh, Scottish and English identity? Or can being Welsh be just as inclusive as being British?

Mohammad Asghar: Plaid Cymru is a party which welcomes all people of all nationalities and religions and is not divisive at all. Wales has a proud history of welcoming people of all races as our citizens, going back many years to the days when Cardiff was a thriving sea port. There are many people who have come to live in Wales who are very committed to Welsh culture and the Welsh language, as I am, and who are keen to play their full part in the life of our country. I am a Muslim and am proud to be Welsh.

Andy Newman: Since devolution, most of the policy differences between Cardiff and London have come from Cardiff refusing some of the worst policies from Westminster, rather than new policies being generated for Wales. With Plaid now in coalition, do you think there will be more emphasis on Wales finding its own path?

Mohammad Asghar: Even those who oppose devolution recognise that many areas require different policies in Wales and England.

Plaid is the driving force behind the Government of Wales, providing a real sense of purpose and direction, based on our core values of social justice and equality for every part of Wales and every resident of Wales.

Andy Newman: What do you think are the main benefits of the “One Wales” coalition agreement?

Mohammad Asghar: Our One Wales Government unites the progressive forces of Welsh politics, determined to create a more just, prosperous and modern nation.

For example, in the short time we have been in Government, we have already
• stopped the damaging proposals of the previous Assembly Government to downgrade hospitals and started to reverse the market in our health service;
• demanded that our nurses got their full pay settlement backdated to April;
• secured a review of the funding formula that has served our public services so poorly over the years; and pressed for the Convention on full law-making powers for Wales.

Our programme for the next four years includes:
• improved access to healthcare for every part of our nation;
• far more investment in affordable housing;
• help for pensioners with Council Tax;
• an all Wales approach to economic development;
• more effective business rate relief;
• action to tackle climate change, including a three per cent yearly reduction target;
• an end to the privatisation of our health service;
• vastly improved north – south transport links;
• new Welsh language legislation;
• and £120m extra over four years to improve access to universal affordable childcare.

Andy Newman: Do you think that the Welsh Assembly needs more powers? How would that help your constituents?

Mohammad Asghar: Central to our vision is the creation of a proper Parliament with the ability to pass its own laws and with the power to achieve the aspirations of the people of Wales.

More powers would mean that we could follow a distinct path with the best policies for Wales, decided in Wales and unhindered by any interference from the UK Government Many of our social justice objectives can only be achieved if we have taxation powers, for example.

Plaid Cymru has a clear vision for the development of Wales to the benefit of my constituents and the people of Wales in general.

Plaid representatives at all elected levels will always act in the best interests of our communities and of the nation as a whole, and extra powers will enable us to do this even better.

Andy Newman: To change the subject, you were recently in Pakistan accompanying Benazir Bhutto, who of course has now been tragically killed. Can you explain how you came to be with Ms Bhutto in Pakistan?

Mohammad Asghar: I was honoured to be the only British politician to be with her on her arrival in Pakistan and I believed and hoped her return would help the situation and lead to democracy in due course.

I did not go out as a supporter of Benazir though her party, the Pakistan People’s Party has a similar name to my party, Plaid Cymru, the Party of the People of Wales.

I went as an observer after her office invited me, as I believed her presence could help to build democracy.

Andy Newman: I understand that you were only yards from her when the first attempt was made on her life in October, though fortunately you were not harmed. Can you describe what happened?

Mohammad Asghar: There was a carnival atmosphere as the procession made it way from the airport into Karachi. Benazir was in a specially built armour-plated vehicle. I was in the vehicle behind her, about 30 to 35 yards away. Between us was a flood of human beings and motor-bikers. I can best describe the vehicle I was in as being like a float at a carnival. There was music, there was dancing and there was joy in the air. It was wonderful at that point

We travelled the 12 or so kilometres into Karachi at one kilometre an hour.

It was after midnight at about 1 o’clock and we reached an area where there were no street lights. I could hardly see Benazir’s float.

There was a small bang and then an announcement that this was a burst tyre.

Within a minute and a half, there was a second bang and our float shook. There was a big flash and I saw human parts flying all over the place, scattering everywhere. I ducked. Our float had a PA system and I was standing behind two massive aluminium loudspeakers, which probably saved my life. Had I been ten yards closer to the explosion, I might not have been here today. I cannot express what I saw afterwards. It was unthinkable. There were dead bodies everywhere. Security people died in front on my eyes. People had gone very quiet. The music stopped. It was like a war zone. I felt sick. I have never seen anything like it in my life. I was shaken and thought there might be another blast.

I went to the hospitals. I have never seen anything like what I saw there. The doctors were doing the best they could. There were trolleys on the front lawn full of blood. The rooms inside were full of blood. I cried at what was going on. I saw a mother, who was looking for her 21-year-old son. He was her only son and I had seen his dead body. Doctors told me not to tell her because she couldn’t take it – she might die herself. .

There were people dying in front of your eyes. That was the worst thing. It was a nightmare.

I could not get through to my wife, Firdaus, as the lines were jammed. She was crying when I eventually got through. She couldn’t believe I was alive.

It was dreadful. I have never been through anything like it in my life.

Even before the assassination, some 22 political parties in Pakistan had been intending to boycott the election, including Imran Khan’s party, Tehreek Insaaf; but also the left-wing parties; all the major parties from Baluchistan and also Jamaat Islami. Do you think that after this assassination of Ms Bhutto there can be fair and meaningful elections?

I honestly do not know, but we must all hope for the best. There must be a transfer to a democratic process and a peaceful country.

We all want to advance democracy and hopefully we can help promote democracy in Pakistan. I hope and pray they take the route to democracy and not the route to violence and terrorism as there is no room for that in any civilised country.

Andy Newman: Finally, the British Muslim Initiative (BMI) has strongly backed the campaign to re-elect Ken Livingstone as mayor of London. They have said, “He has stood out in support of a multi-cultural society and has supported the Muslim communities of the city against racism and Islamophobia as well as all other minorities against all types of prejudice. His stands and policies have constantly championed justice in the Middle East and around the world, freedom for the Palestinians and withdrawal of occupying troops from Iraq”. This call has included prominent Muslims who support other political parties, like Cllr Salma Yaqoob from Birmingham. Do you agree that it is very important to stop Boris Johnson defeating ken Livingstone?

Mohammad Asghar: While I appreciate the efforts Ken Livingstone has been making to promote multi-culturalism, I do not think it would be right for me to comment on how the people of London should vote in their election.