'Azadi' March.

Diesel is a dirty fuel worldwide, it is being replaced by cleaner options. About two years back I visited Dublin, Ireland for a European Union (EU) funded project to replace all diesel trucks with CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). EU cargo arrives at the port in Dublin which is then transported all across the continent. Diesel is associated with dirt and is on its way out.

Unfortunately, in Pakistan it has been a part of our politics since 1988 when Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman got elected for the first time from a constituency in Dera Ismail Khan. Pakistan People's Party under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto (BB) emerged as the single largest party in the National Assembly. Maulana issued a fatwa that a female cannot be the Prime Minister (PM) in an Islamic State. BB and her party had been struggling for over a decade against the third usurper, there were clear signs of fatigue. She was willing to compromise to come into power. It is alleged that she rewarded the Maulana with 'Diesel Permits' to gain his favours.

There was no turning back for the Maulana, the goodies started to flow. In October 2001 the Maulana challenged the government of Pervez Musharraf. He was arrested to be released in March 2002. In 2004 he managed to become the leader of opposition by 2007 he started to focus on the coveted position of the PM. He even lobbied with the US Ambassador to seek her support but did not succeed.

Maulana lost the elections in 1990, 1997 and 2018, he got elected in 1998, 1993, 2002, 2008, 2013. Once in the assembly he has been able to negotiate important positions and perks for himself and his party members. As President of MMA (Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal) he secured the government in KPK. Akram Khan Durrani remained Chief Minister for a full term (2002 - 2007). Currently he is under NAB investigation. MMA was an alliance of right wing religious parties cobbled together by the fourth dictator with several nomenclatures (Musharraf Mulla Alliance, Military Mulla Alliance etc).

After the 2008 elections the Maulana managed to occupy important position in the PPP government. Then came the PML-N administration after the 2013 elections, the Maulana continued as Chairman of the 'Kashmir Committee' with the rank of a Federal Minister. After thirty years (1988 - 2018) the journey of 'Diesel' came to an end with an unceremonious election defeat.

The Prime Minister (PM) is right; this is the first assembly since 1988 without 'Diesel'. BB had the opportunity to end...