This poem was surreptitiously included and published in the curriculum book, "A Textbook of English", by government-run National Book Foundation, intended for the First Year students of Pakistan's colleges. Later it was revealed that the first letters of each line spelled out "President George W Bush".
Was it a cheap effort on Musharraf's part to please President Bush? Was he ghost writing for Bush as Humayun Gohar was ghost writing for Musharraf? Was it a coincidence as the education ministry officials initially argued it to be? Then it was said that it may have been downloaded from the Internet by a textbook writer, and later approved for publication by the curriculum committee. An education ministry spokesman also insisted that the poem was a good description of a true leader, anyway.
How low they can go?
THE LEADER by anonymous (Musharraf?)
Patient and steady with all he must bear,
Ready to meet every challenge with care,
Easy in manner, yet solid as steel,
Strong in his faith, refreshingly real.
Isn't afraid to propose what is bold,
Doesn't conform to the usual mould,
Eyes that have foresight, for hindsight won't do,
Never backs down when he sees what is true,
Tells it all straight, and means it all too.
Going forward and knowing he's right,
Even when doubted for why he would fight,
Over and over he makes his case clear,
Reaching to touch the ones who won't hear.
Growing in strength he won't be unnerved,
Ever assuring he'll stand by his word.
Wanting the world to join his firm stand,
Bracing for war, but praying for peace,
Using his power so evil will cease,
So much a leader and worthy of trust,
Here stands a man who will do what he must.
BBC
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