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Pakistan can’t progress until the wadera system ends, says comedian Ali Gul Pir

Pakistan can’t progress until the wadera system ends, says comedian Ali Gul Pir

He called out feudal culture in reference to a video in which a man washes his shoes with mineral water while people sit and watch.
Updated 31 Aug, 2022

A video circulating on social media has sparked a debate about wadera culture and the feudal system in Pakistan. The issue has also been highlighted by comedian Ali Gul Pir, who had some very serious things to say.

In the video, the man, who was confirmed to be Sindh MNA Ameer Ali Shah Jillani to Dawn, is seated comfortably on a charpoy while villagers sit on the ground around him. He drinks a soft drink from a can and cleans his shoes with mineral water. It is unclear whether the video is recent but Gul Pir used it to shift the discussion to wadera [feudal lord] culture in general and how it needs to end, once and for all.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Gul Pir shared his thoughts about the video clip and had written, “These are the leaders of Sindh. Who sip cold drinks, get fanned and wash their shoes with mineral water while flood affected homeless people sit on the floor.”

Later, in a series of stories, he said he isn’t sure if the video is recent, but “the issue is not this person, the issue is the soch [mentality] and then when these people are held accountable, people react and when they rebel, see what happens to them just like it did for Nazim Jokhio.”

Nazim Jokhio was a man whose tortured body was found at the Malir farmhouse of PPP MPA for Thatta Jam Awais Bijar Khan Jokhio on Nov 3, 2021. He had reportedly earned the ire of the landowner when he tried to prevent his foreign guests from hunting endangered houbara bustard in Thatta district.

Gul Pir went on to say that Sindh and Pakistan overall can’t progress until “wadera nizam [feudal culture] comes to an end,” whether it is through education, equal opportunity or development. “When people will be given opportunity they won’t fall for these tactics. If they have the right to make a choice, they will choose what they want,” he reasoned.

He also gave a shout-out to the people making an effort and helping others out. “There are a lot of good people who are doing good things in Pakistan in regards to the floods, there are a lot of people who are helping others out. I will share the names of those helping out and will dedicate a post to it. Let’s support the people doing good and donate as much as we can so things get better for people,” he concluded.

This isn’t the first time the comedian has raised concerns around the feudal system. In 2012, the singer released a song called ‘Waderai Ka Beta’ that became the talk of the town instantly for its lyrics highlighting the stereotypes of feudal lords, how they dress, behave and boast about their wealth. The song shot him to fame and he has used his platform to discuss serious topics ever since. Recently, he launched his own content company, The Third Act.

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Aug 31, 2022 04:41pm
He's 100 percent right.
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Naim Aug 31, 2022 04:44pm
Change is needed otherwise we will be stuck in the same rut that we have been for the past 75 years.
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Hasnain Haque Aug 31, 2022 04:58pm
He is right, the country has been ruled by feudal lords and the army, this is why it has not progressed.
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Fastforward Aug 31, 2022 05:03pm
To wipe out Zamindars system in Pakistan is impossible because most of the political leaders are Zamindars or Zamindars are the political leaders.
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Ibrahim S Aug 31, 2022 05:06pm
You are still missing the point . Pakistan is a class society . Religious bigotry is our DNA. Do you know how many madrasahs are in Pakistan. How many shrines are collecting money from their faithful . Either it’s Feudal lords, religious scholars or the Establishment, they all make up the soul of this nation . Proper education by international standard and the separation of “state and church” is the only way to save this nation .
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Salman Aug 31, 2022 05:14pm
He is right. This feudal system need to be eradicated and all lands of over certain size should be taken back by the govt. They don't pay tax, sit in provincial and federal govts like termites and destroying this country since its inception. It's high time to make serious decisions if this country has to survive.
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Ahsan Gul Aug 31, 2022 05:15pm
Thanks. You are one of very few who think that Government must do something to abolish landlord system. Be safe.
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Ibrahim S Aug 31, 2022 07:15pm
@Ahsan Gul - A small correct . Abolish class system
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Ijaz Aug 31, 2022 07:23pm
Land reform, an issue the Pakistani state has never tackled, is a pre requisite for ending the wadera system. As long as we refuse to do what India did in the 50s we will end up with nepotism and inbred idiotic leaders.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Aug 31, 2022 07:43pm
He is 100 percent right.
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Asim Aug 31, 2022 08:13pm
It is not just the feudal system but this mentality tha has seeped in to our culture as a cancer. Even the industrialist and educated professionals act in the same manner as waderas do, as if this is how a successful person is supposed to be.
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Khan Aug 31, 2022 08:21pm
Only solution is merit and accountability, vadaras only promote slavery in all institutions
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Ravi Kumar Emani Aug 31, 2022 08:21pm
Country means people. Without development of people country never PROGRESS. People progress will be gauged on their living standards., viz education, job,shelter etc. Many families deprived of these things due to No Family Planning. Hence this is to be addressed.
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ak4pk Aug 31, 2022 08:26pm
You are spot on. And may I add that there will never be a better time than now for a Politician to commit to carry out this reform. IK with such overwhelming grass-root support, is the man best placed to carry through this seventy year old overdue task. This much needed reform stands in the way of freedom/prosperity and slavery/poverty. This simply is the demand of the 21st Century.
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Bunny Aug 31, 2022 08:37pm
why resent land lords. is it their fault that they are born in a feudal family ? change the land reforms so that economic disparity reduces and implemnt these laws . dont blame the rich by default .
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asma Aug 31, 2022 08:50pm
100% true. And Neutrals and Corrupt politicans and generals
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Ali Aug 31, 2022 08:53pm
Pakistan is like a dog tail which will never get straight. Pakistan is a failed nation!!
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Ali Sabir Aug 31, 2022 09:16pm
... There is only one way to end it.
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naseem Aug 31, 2022 09:39pm
@Asim Even homeowners have learned the wadera mentality when treating their servants
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Rambo Aug 31, 2022 09:45pm
Ali gul peer just woke up I think, he realised it now?
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Chota Aug 31, 2022 09:56pm
Salute to you sir.you are really courageous
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AZAM AKBAR Aug 31, 2022 10:05pm
@Ijaz Mr. Ijaz, " Land reform, an issue the Pakistani state has never tackled, is a pre requisite for ending the wadera system. As long as we refuse to do what India did in the 50s we will end up with nepotism and inbred idiotic leaders. " Land reform wasn't done by the West Pakistani politicians, army and civil service bureaucrats, lords, feudals because they have mean mentality.
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M. Emad Sep 01, 2022 12:29am
'60%' ---- Wadera system don't Eat 60% national budget.
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Jumbo Sep 01, 2022 01:42am
@Ijaz Indian government works for the benefit of India. Pakistani government is for Kashmir!
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Ehteshamul Haque Sep 01, 2022 02:06am
Thank You for saying that. It is time to take back Pakistan from the thieves and zardari's and land lord.
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SachBol Sep 01, 2022 04:05am
Everyone knows that, but who will bell the cat?
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Rafique Sep 01, 2022 05:46am
No one said it better! The wadera system has to end. But how?
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Kursi Sep 01, 2022 07:06am
What's Vader's system. Is it bad. If bad, who is supporting it. Can someone explain to me.
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FAZ Sep 01, 2022 08:14am
Their forefathers did not owe this land. Mughals did, and before them some other kings. Then came the British and rewarded those who helped them. One of the reason for India's success is getting rid of this system once and for all.
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Umair Sep 01, 2022 09:31am
IMPLEMENT LAND REFORMS!!
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Mangesh Sep 01, 2022 09:33am
it's too late, India did it 75 years ago. Not impossible but very difficult to do it now.
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Rafique Sep 01, 2022 09:34am
The system is lamentably defective! Will not change anytime soon! Enjoy the ride.
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Waheed UK Sep 01, 2022 11:52am
You have to be the change that you wish to see in the world and the country. Whilst the wadera system has been a disaster for the development of Pakistan in every aspect we should accept our share of the blame for its existence and lingering on for so long. It was a legacy of the British colonial system and its methodology of divide and rule. Our looking up to the waderas has given them legitimacy and political power. They must be considered a curse on this nation for acting so selfishly and maintaining the social and economic disparities that exist in the society. They use every dirty trick to maintain power and status quo and hinder development of any kind unless it benefits them. The solution is development of rule of law, fair and equitable application of law enforcement in an impartial manner, genuine development of grass root democracy and independent institutions. The judiciary must do its duty of dispensing justice fairly and independently without being influenced.
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Helping hands Sep 01, 2022 12:27pm
Respect for you, Ali
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