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Imran Khan kickstarted the fall of Musharraf

September 2nd, 2008 | 21 Comments

Guest contribution by Frank Huzur (picture right)

‘Better the rule of one, whom all obey, than to let clamorous demagogues betray our freedom with kiss of an anarchy,’ once said Oscar Wilde, famous Irish writer. The outgoing President General Pervez Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan for nine-year, has great fancy for Oscar Wilde thoughts and writings. Dictators always look good until the last minutes. Clad in a grey suit as if to suit the sobriety of occasion, Musharraf was almost on verge of breaking into tears during his farewell hour-long televised address to 175 million people of Pakistan. Media analysts all over the world, including inside Pakistan, were quick in debating about the role of individual crucial in bringing down the rule of ‘strong man’ Musharraf.

A majority of commentators in both print and electronic media toed the expected line of government of the day and attributed the ‘fall from the grace’ of Musharraf to impeachment campaign of Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) coalition of Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif , while conveniently overlooking the struggle and sacrifice of actual leaders of people’s resistance against the fourth dictatorial regime in sixty years history of Pakistan. So much so that even Pak Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Geelani didn’t even pay any tribute to 90,000 lawyers for their struggle against dictatorship.

In the past six years of Pakistan political history, no other politician challenged Pervez Musharraf authoritarian rule as vehemently as Imran Khan did. Being a clean public figure without any charges of corruption, he was not afraid of the dictator or his draconian policies. Imran was attacking Musharraf in those early days of 2002 when any kind of opposition to the then military president of Pakistan was unheard of. Moreover, top political leadership of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif was forced to live in exile. Imran was a member of National Assembly from Mianwali, and he was like a rebel in his criticism of Musharraf pro-White House policies. Later on, all the political formation would follow his rebellious line and go on to grind their own axe. But Imran never turned his battle against dictatorship for own selfish ends.

One shouldn’t overlook the fact that Imran Khan was blue-eyed boy of General Musharraf when he ousted Nawaz Sharif from power. He publicly declared Imran Khan to be his Prime Ministerial candidate. However, unlike any selfish politician, Imran declined the invitation to serve under a dictator. A dictator believes in taking politics out of the politics, it is democrat’s wish to stop him from doing so.

Though many political parties, mostly smaller ones, boycotted the February 18 elections, it was Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf which sacrificed most out of the boycott decision. The Gallup poll ahead of the elections was giving Imran Khan’s party number three spot in terms of national vote share. Yet, he decided not to betray the cause of lawyers by participating in an elections under ‘illegal, unconstitutional presidency of Musharraf’. And it was his Movement for Justice party which was always hitting the streets with its hundreds of thousands of workers in Pakistani streets since March 9, 2007, the very day avalanche of popular upsurge against General Musharraf begun.

And when the moment of rejoice arrived in the afternoon of 18 August, Imran was not interested in dancing in the street. Even during his cricketing hey days he wouldn’t break into jig after vanquishing his opponents, be it India or England or West Indies. He was a shy achiever, would let his players celebrate the victory. He hasn’t changed over the years. In politics too like in cricket, he didn’t want to take any credit for bringing down the throne of Pakistan’s most entrenched dictator. Early in the morning, he quietly left to enjoy the sunny spots in hills and mountains of Murree, Pakistan scenic hilly resort, about 60 km north west of Islamabad. And he was not accompanied by a retinue of Tehreek-e-Insaf followers, but his two sons, Sueliman and Kasim who are visiting him from London. Imran knew of the imminent resignation of Musharraf much in advance. He had contemplated to celebrate in silence, away from maddening din of Lahore and Islamabad, in the sylvan surroundings of Miranjani peaks and cackle of his two growing children.

It is time to pull one’s hats down and salute to all those who sacrificed, faced oppression yet remained determined. About 90,000 lawyers could keep the momentum on streets only because of unflinching support of Imran khan who took their battle everywhere in the world. Imran argued their case in the House of Lords in British Parliament, on London campus, in American universities, bar councils and with several Congressmen.

At a time when so-called champions of democracy (read Asif Ali Zardari of PPP and Nawaz Sharif of PML (N)-both return was part of a deal package brokered by Washington-London-Riyadh with General Musharraf) were negotiating power sharing formula and begging forgiveness under National Reconciliation Ordinance with President General Pervez Musharraf, it was Imran Khan and his party members who were shouting slogans and braving lashes of police in streets. Imran’s democratic spirit infected even his ex-wife Jemima Khan to take up his save Pakistan battle forward. She floated ‘Save Pakistan Movement’ in London and organised over a dozen protest march in front of 10 Downing Street and Pakistan embassy in Hyde Park. It was Imran’s determination which had fired her imagination to provide international dimension to Pakistani people’s resistance. Jemima was more active when Imran was under arrest during infamous November 3 Emergency in 2007.

But Imran knows the battle against dictatorship is far from over. He also knows that Pervez Musharraf has been able to win ‘safe exit’ due to his covert understanding with ruling coalition, preferably co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari who is in mood of pardoning the president as he is talking about ‘let bygone be bygones’, thus forgetting the impeachment move and subsequent trial in court of law. That Musharraf was given guard of honour, allowed to keep residence in the army house in Rawalpindi until his 1.5 million pound farmhouse at Chak Sehzad area on outskirt suburb of Islamabad is ready and clear indication of no proceeding against him in court of law shows there is a secret deal with the ruling coalition. Even Nawaz Sharif will have to prove the national perception wrong that there was no such deal cut to allow safe passage to outgoing president. Furthermore, British and Saudi officials have also been engaged in close-door talks to secure a deal that would allow Musharraf to resign in return for immunity from prosecution. Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz was in Islamabad on Friday-Saturday last week. Sources revealed he even threatened to withdraw oil subsidies worth $ 5 billion a year unless Musharraf was allowed to leave in grace.

Now, Imran Khan wants the coalition should select next president from one of the smaller provinces, preferably Balochistan or NWFP, for national cohesion and to strengthen democracy in the country.

He said, “Former president Pervez Musharraf should be held to account for his actions during his nine-year stay at the helm. Restoration of deposed judges including chief justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry was necessary for accountability of those who took unconstitutional steps or misappropriated national wealth. If those who violated the constitution are forgiven then others would not hesitate to follow in their footsteps in future”.

Imran is of the view that since now Musharraf has resigned, there is urgent need for complete policy revision and speedy replacement of those policies which have failed the Pakistani nation.

Speaking to Frank Huzur over phone from Murree, hill resort outside Islamabad, Imran said, “Musharraf should face trial for all the crimes and irregularities committed against the People of Pakistan and the Constitution e.g. missing people, judiciary etc. The war on our borders – whether it is ours or someone else’s war is resulting in killing of the innocent people & making them homeless The coalition govt has signed an accord twice now for restoring the judges– however nothing has happened. We need to restore the judges and judiciary”.

Which is why Imran has urged his party workers to hit the streets with more firepower to press for quickest restoration of deposed judges, including suspended chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary. If judges are not restored, Nawaz Sharif will be biggest loser, not to mention Asif Ali Zardari and his party which is already reeling under the impact of fast eroding popularity. Musharraf exit does bring an iota of relief to both partners, but the relief is a short-lived one. Till the last day in office, Musharraf was a binding factor for Zardari-Sharif combine, but his ouster will put both leaders under intense public scrutiny and it would be difficult for them to escape public accountability. Imran Khan reads the people’s pulse well nowadays.

He is a fierce opponent of Pak army operation in the tribal areas. No body is crying foul over the military campaign which was launched simultaneously in Bajaur agency when the entire nation was awestruck over impeachment drama. Just a day before impeachment proceeding was announced, the Pakistan military launched a major offensive in Bajaur agency. Intense fighting is now taking place in areas from the Swat district, through the Peshawar districts to the Bejaur and Khyber agencies. After 13 straight days of air and ground assault and bombardment, it is estimated that up to 300,000 people have fled the border areas. The timing of increase in attack points to a tacit understanding with Washington to initiate extensive military action in return for the US backing to remove Musharraf. The understanding was possibly reached during Pakistani Prime Minister last July visit to White House.

During the past nine years of Musharraf military rule, Pakistani streets witnessed many important struggles against his regime. Prominent among them were the peasant struggle for land rights at Okara Military Farms during 2001-2005, which actually set the tone for people’s resistance, especially amongst the impoverished section of society. The 10-day national strike call given by the telecommunication workers against privatization in June 2005 was another manifestation of workers’ consciousness against the absolute rule. The successful revolt of the Sindhi people against the building of controversial Kala Bagh Dam was another cause for mass dissent. Imran has been playing his part in all these issues of public outrage more than any other political personalities.

But more disconcerting is the economic mess Pakistan is confronting today, probably more disconcerting than the issues of dictatorship or democratic restoration. Imran is constantly warning the ruling coalition about the rising oil and food prices as well as weakening demand in the US and Europe for Pakistani exports. The annual inflation rate is running at a 30-year-high at nearly 25 percent. The Pakistani Rupee has fallen 22 percent against the declining dollar this year alone, and in the past five weeks, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have dwindled by nearly $US 1.1 to $10.15 billion, mainly as a result of the cost of imported oil and flight of capital. The trade deficit has ballooned by 53 percent to $ 20.7 billion for the 2007-08 fiscal year that ended in June.

The share market has slumped by 30 percent since April earlier this year. However, share prices and the Rupee rose on the back of Musharraf’s resignation by about four-and-half percent, but further political turmoil will reverse these gains. Imran warns that it would be premature to celebrate Musharraf’s resignation as solution to all the problems of Pakistan because both the Pakistan Peoples Party and PML(N) have history of corruption-tainted rule.

The Pathan politician further warns that if genuine struggle for strong and sustainable democracy falters over the next couple of years someone in military uniform can grab power. Musharraf has left behind a very inspiring career for any military General in future. ‘Take over the elected government, use all humiliating methods against them, become head of all top offices, form another Pakistan Muslim League (King’s Party in this case) to serve every dictator and do whatever you want to do to this nation and country within the span of 10 years and don’t bother anything in the process as everything would be considered in the best interest of Pakistan and finally you have an open option of very precedent of ‘safe exit’.

(The write is a New-Delhi based authorized biographer of Imran Khan. His book, Imran vs Imran- An Untold Story is expected to be launched worldwide in October)

Written by admin

Filed under: Democracy, Pakistan, Politics · Tags: Imran Khan, Musharraf

21 Responses to "Imran Khan kickstarted the fall of Musharraf"

Ari Casper says:

September 2, 2008 at 8:34 pm

As an American, I could never understand the US government’s acceptance of Musharraff as a legitimate leader of Pakistan from the outset. It seemed imprudent to me to embrace the man who overthrew the elected government of the country. Asif Ali Zardari appears to be a totally corrupt and morally bankrupt person. I can’t imaginge politics in the US electing a murderer as its leader. The ousting of the Judiciary is a crime against the country that is impossible for me to understand. I hope that Mr. Khan and other’s will continue to protest corruption in Pakistan. I believe that the people of Pakistan should be able to elect leaders and oust them by vote rather than coup. No man should be above the law; Mr Musharraf should not be an exception. I disagree in principle with hanging every man who leaves office, but barring that, Mr. Musharraf should have to face the very justices he so sweepingly dismissed. As I say, I am an outsider; but as a person who loves liberty and believes in justice tempered with mercy, I would like to see stability and decent responsive government in Pakistan. The return of the Judges to the Courts is critical to the future of Pakistan. It is a path to peaceful coexistance on this planet.
mitha says:

September 2, 2008 at 11:53 pm

nice artical
Tazeen says:

September 3, 2008 at 6:41 am

I don’t agree with this article at all.

If anything that has brought down Musharraf, it is his own sense of grandiosity, some ill-judged decisions (pun intended) and Lawyers movement. Imran Khan does not feature in the larger scheme of things, he did not even take part in elections for the fear of not even grabbing that one seat that he got ion 2002 courtesy the erstwhile president.
It is clearly written by a fan.
YLH says:

September 3, 2008 at 8:37 am

Franky my dear boy… I am quite a fan of Mr. Imran Khan and his principled stance on several issues… however, I think you are over-reaching with argument above… Imran Khan certainly was on the right side of this fall… but he wasn’t the person who kick-started it. If anything it was what Musharraf did on March 9, 2007 that kick started his fall.

Also… Imran like many of us believed in 1999 that Musharraf was the best thing to happen to Pakistan… he was very close to the general and if he was opposed to serving under a general, he certainly did not show it till March-April 2002… when he saw the general hobnobbing with the chaudhries and the like … in the run up to the notorious referendum and elections that year.
Aliarqam says:

September 3, 2008 at 8:55 am

Mere
Pyaar
Ki
Umar Ho
Itni Sanam
Tere Naam Se Shuru
Tere Naam Se Khatam

That’s the story of Imran….Once at a public meeting where Imran’s party leaders…Dr Arif Alvi,Aman Paracha and many others were present…they were asked of their plan to eliminate poverty …the great intellectuals have presented the
DOCTRINE
OF LANGARS at Public Places….
Imran couldnt even Organise his political party…
His style of popular politics reminds of Qazi Husain 90′s Politics….
Now the
CHALA HOA CARTOOS
Is much Unpopular….

Here comes the new clean shaved Qazi… As for as the lawyers movement is concerned….Imran didnt even sacrificed for it….his support for them has just given him a platform or a crowd to address and win applause…
As Imran has nothing except some emotional youngmen…
Fermina says:

September 3, 2008 at 1:12 pm

Frank is talking much sense! Imran Khan’s commitment and his clean public image just can’t be called into questions. In India, there was one Prime Minister whose name was Rajiv Gandhi. He also fought against corruption and demagoguery. Even though he was assassinated before he could achieve more for India, he left an indelible imprint on psyche of Indian youth, which is now a vast middle class consumer, forcing Western multinationals to take note of its strength. The confidence and dynamism witnessed in Indian cities is inspired from vision and courage of Rajiv Gandhi. Similarly, I see Imran Khan in Pakistan. In the first place, you don’t expect miracle from a sportsman in our society. Can you name any cricketer or athlete or sportsman who sacrificed commercial interests to commit himself or herself in service of common, poor, dispossessed and disadvantaged section of Indian-subcontinent society. Why did Imran left the luxuries and comforts of London and Los Angeles? There was a golden choice before him to rake in moollah in world stock market. There was an opportunity before him to shop at Herod’s and Mark and Spencer. Why did he decline to avail of all these affluent tastes and habits?
Was he lunatic to renounce worldly pleasures? Quite a significant number of people in both India and Pakistan, on streets of Lahore and Luknow boast that Imran Khan is a beardless form of Qazi Hussain Ahmed. Let me ask them why don’t they compare Imran Khan with Maulana Fazlur Rehman? Is Mr Rehman more moderate than Qazi Hussain Ahmed or anything?
Strange are the ways of critics. Without giving someone a chance to bring change, they are girding up their loins to reject him. Rejection should be invoked when the person has been tested and tried and has betrayed the hopes and aspirations. Did Imran ever betray his people on political fronts?
I can remember only one form of betrayal by Imran Khan. And even I don’t forgive him for breaching that wall of trust and confidence. And, that is, betraying the heart-felt love and affection of hundreds of thousands of beautiful women in India and Pakistan, not the least rest of the world. We all wanted him to marry someone amongst us. When he didn’t marry anyone of us in Lahore or Lucknow, we declared him a failure, a misfit, an adulterous playboy, a love cheat and what not!
Is this our way of loving or liking someone? If our doting lover doesn’t marry us, we should start throwing missiles of curse and abuse at him or her. Is love so poisoned and fleeting, it brings only negative emotions out of us?
Love is a pure phenomenon. If we really loved Imran Khan in pure, unadulterated form, we have no right to hate him. He is free to choose his flame. Like any free bachelor heart, he chose his own woman, and then separated in most uncontroversial and amicable fashion. This was true love, which didn’t bring any rancour and ill-will between Imran and Jemima Khan.
Similarly, people of Pakistan love him. Some of those who criticise him, they do it out of anger. I am an actor in Delhi theatre circuit. I have performed in Lahore on certain occasions. And whoever I have spoken to about Imran Khan, they only say they are disappointed because Imran Khan is not a corrupt politician. They say they are depressed over the fact that Imran Khan is not contesting elections. They are sad due to Imran’s refusal to accept the office of Prime Minister under a military regime. People’s views, across the wide spectrum of Pakistani society, was eye-opening. We in this part of the world love only power politicians. Those who can’t indulge in corrupt practices, we consider them pariah.
We have to understand politics is about power, but there is morality in power corridor, too.
Imran Khan brings that badge of morality in school of Pakistani politics. Quite a good number of young Indian politicians, like Rahul Gandhi are learning some lessons out of Imran Khan’s style of democratic politics. Imagine, Pakistani people are not recognizing this reality. The way Imran meets with his people in Pakistan, his humility and dignity is simply remarkable. Young Indian politicians are taking leaf out of books of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader. Why can’t people of Pakistan recognize the reality?
I am sure they will recognize this lampost of hope at end of the tunnel!
Fermina
New Delhi-India
fermina.fermina@rediffmail.com
naseer says:

September 3, 2008 at 2:44 pm

Imran was indeed a very presistant opponent of Musharraf (initially most of the poeple like Musharraf for getting rid of a on-functioning Govt)
But his contributions to bring Musharraf down are not that stellar as mentioned here.

Still he is the most eligible political leader among the pack of wolves of so called politicians.
Atleast for once he made an effort and contribution in the name of Pakistan to bring the world cup. His efforts to establish SKM hospital is yet to be matched by any of self proclaimed religious and politcal leaders of Pakistan.

If he keeps on doing what he is doing now without worrying about a post or title, he would still do a greate service of providing a role model of integrity, honesty and love of Pakistan for generations to come.
Very few people know all the presidents and primeminsiters but majority of them knows Imran Khan.
Amriki Agent says:

September 4, 2008 at 3:19 am

When and where did Imran not accept the office of Prime Minister under the Military regime?
Majumdar says:

September 4, 2008 at 4:06 am

Fermina,

(In India, there was one Prime Minister whose name was Rajiv Gandhi. He also fought against corruption and demagoguery.

I presume politics is not your cup of tea. Obviously the Bofors scandal means nothing to you. Nor would you be aware that the party he presided over butchered over 3,000 Sikhs in cold blood in Nov 1984 which Rajiv G justified by saying “When a big tree falls, the earth shakes”. Later he tamely caved into Islamic fundamentalists in the Shah Bano case and to compensate for that he caved into Hindoo fundamentalists by doing a shilanyas of Lord Ram in the disputed Babri Masjid structure.

It is true that he did start the process of opening up the economy but the task was really taken up in a major way by his successor as INC leader, PV Narasimha Rao.

Regards
Tazeen says:

September 4, 2008 at 5:20 am

Fermina,

you were not happy that he did not marry a desi chick, is that all? Have you ever heard him speak? he loses al sense of propriety on telly shows and have called elected officials naukar of this and chamcha of that (he has called Dr Farooq Sattar, MNA of MQM, altaf ka naukar and Senator Babar Awan, Zardari ka chamcha.

I once asked the great Mr Khan how can he defend both judiciary and tribal jirga system which is exclusive to rich men and exclude women and poor men and his response was: Bibi pehlay mardon ki tau insaaf milnay dain. When i persisted that two systems of judicial dispensation are dysfunctional, he goes ballistic and said, apko naheen pata, ap kabhi paharon main naheen raheen hain aur aap badtameezi mat karain.

Need i say more? And this exchange happened at symposium on democracy, ironic, isn’t it?
Aliarqam says:

September 4, 2008 at 1:21 pm

Pakistan…our homeland has a system with so many flaws at almost every aspect…
Our Politics
Our Judiciary
Our civil administration Our Sports…hockey,cricket,squash…almost every sports….performance is poor….and the graph is going downwards…
I could not understand that when a person performs at a particular field…he does not want to continue on his performance….when he win a trophy or do some welfare work…the next step he will choose is to be the president or prime minister to take the charge of the whole country…and..bring a revolution….SAARA GAND NIKAL DON….
If the same formula is applied to the whole world…then…CHINA won 50 gold medals at the olympics…means 50 persons will claim the topmost political position…then Steve Waugh,Ponting,Dhoni,Smith,Roger Federer,Nadal…should be the premiers in the future…
And Imran was a great player…he should perform at the cricket level…As giving the charge of Cricket to A doctor is wrong…then utilizing someone’s cricket skills somewhere else is also wrong….and if he chose to work as a social reformer..then keep himself far from political biases…to serve more efficiently for his cancer cause… As a politician his first test is to organize his political party….man first make a team then go to strive…. Giving the people
DOCTRINES OF LANGAR cant solve the country worst economic conditions….as for as his marriage is concerned…its totally the personal matter..sorry for those whose hearts were broken by not choosing her as his spouse…One thing confuse me is the religion of Jamaima khan(though very personal) because when she first came Pakistan…she has given the name Haqqa…Jamila and so on…these sound muslim names…but anyhow thats ok….but Imran if want to do something in politics then make a good team than come on….dont follow the foot steps of Qazi sb…or any other Agitator…
Hunainsaani says:

September 4, 2008 at 1:40 pm

Imran went to UK,House of Lords
and America,Met the cogressmen
to fight our Case
why someone
has to go to
UK and America
to fight for us
One of the five intellectuals
Mr Aitizaz Ahsan,again again is visiting America,and now the glorious Judge,Iftikhar Chouhdry is pressing his suit and ties to visit America,Why..???can someone explain it to me??
Hunainsaani says:

September 4, 2008 at 1:44 pm

Thoug America is our number first enemy,and he again and again supported the authoritarians in our country…
Dushmane din
Dushmane watan
Dushmane musalman
Bajaur aur Swat Operation…which is opposed by the Imran sb,is for the pleasure of America
azhar aslam says:

September 4, 2008 at 10:25 pm

tazeen, fermina, ylh, naseer, sani, aliarqam and others………. what do you all suggest should we do to right the wrongs? how can the system improve? any suggestions?
Aliarqam says:

September 5, 2008 at 5:08 am

First we should decide….what do we want????
If the answer is Democracy…then it needs continuity…There are two ways Evolution or Revolution 1st trial and error…
As a funny SMS was circulated that…
I tossed a 1 rupee coin to the lake and wished I have a good friend…I met U When I complained..was answered that.. 1 Rupay Mey Aisa Hi Dost Miley Ga….
So Man…politicians will not come from the skies…it will grow with the system…tried and tested…no way other than that…
2nd…when U believe in the theory of revolution then It needs a long struggle…
People like Imran should understand…Politics is not Idealism…sitting outside the system and criticize everyone is a task much easier…What Imran Has earned in his political career…except some praise from the same idealist persons…
Ahmed Chowdhry says:

September 7, 2008 at 9:29 pm

Imran Khan is an anomaly for a political culture such as that of Pakistan. His biggest weaknesses is that he does not recognize the naivety of some of his policies…Politics might not be his kind of wicket…

Still, he is somehow one of the few living Pakistanis on which the nation can be proud of…
Aliarqam says:

September 8, 2008 at 1:24 pm

Because he won the world cup…. And built a Cancer Hospital…thats ok with his great service towards the nation…

But His Politics…
Just like The Asghar Khan of 70′s or Qazi of 90′s

Zaalimo Qazi Araha Hai….
Now
Zaalimo Qazi Imran Ko Bijwa raha Hai…

How disgusting is the behaviour of him towards the person who got 481 votes to become the president…and I dont know what sort of understandin he has With the mother of his two sons…Miss Jamaima (Khan???? Channels were still writing that) that she was giving the same comments…on behalf of President Zardari… Accusing him of mental illness…
When these newspapers abroad was praising Musharraf sb…then Imran had objection and now abusing Zardari…they are credible souce for him..how hypocrats…

Ladies and Gentlemen Get ready to see a new series of Showdown…Dharnas and agitations from named as

“The Return of Qazi”
or
Qazi Reloaded
or
Dhari Much Kata
Qazi…

Dont miss the show PIO TV And AREY One
or TAAJ TV….
With remix ballads of Faiz sb and Jalib sb…
Vidrohi says:

September 9, 2008 at 5:40 pm

Grossly inflated argument
Marcos says:

September 26, 2008 at 11:57 pm

Strange enough to hear people on Pak streets still going blind about ugly realities hitting them hard!!! If Imran Khan is a beardless extension of Qazi or anybody else, how can he be worse than Musharraf and Zardari, considering the great achievements of both gentlmen ruler!
Some of the comments are just motivated, replete with spleening disgust for name Imran Khan.
Why? Because Imran Khan thinks ahead of Pakistan rulers for his poor masses. Why? Because that is Imran who feels for miseries of common people, especially economic misery. He orders his party workers to announce ‘Sasta Tandoor’ for satisfying the hunger and thirst for poor Pakistanis for atta-flour-knead chapati. People don’t want to talk about his intelligence and generosity despite being a politician when he announces two-rupee-roti, first and then one-rupee-roti at Sasta Tandoor across Lahore. His benevolent actions and programmes are imitated by the Punjab Government, later on, it is blindly followed, but with a little negligence by the other hostile opposition.
Imran sets the trend, ruling and other parties adopt it. Still, he remains a much-reviled figure among doubting thomases. Which other opposition leader is screaming from the rooftop about ‘issue of FATA and Atta’ in his country?
Who is taking up the cause of Pakistan in European Parliament, Brussels?
It’s time for rude awakening for people of Pakistan. Almighty sends messenger, it is for the people to see through the designs and motives of their messenger. Zardari and Sharif saheb are as much messenger of Allah, as Imran Khan and Altaf Hussain are. Who is the most deserving messenger of all? Ask this question to your heart and you will get the answer! You will not be put down under any pressure from presidency or GHQ when you ask this question to yourself! You can elect someone through your heart and mind, not through your fear and suspicion.
Wear the cloak of positivity on your mind, and see the difference you make to your society. Don’t ask what Zardari and Musharraf and Sharif or for that matter Imran Khan will do for you, just ask what you can do for the right horse in the race, thereby, what you can do for your society and country!!!
Asif says:

October 5, 2008 at 5:51 am

Before judging any politician or more importantly, before voting for any politician, we must ask ourselves. Who is it that represents us, or that shares our ideas, ideology etc. Of all the people, Imran Khan makes the most sense to me. The man has truly demonstrated that he is not after money or power by rejecting it so many times. To me, he is the only hope left for Pakistan, without him in politics, I think Pakistan is a lost cause. The whole of country should rally behind him as he is the only one who can rescue us from this mess.
Vidrohi says:

October 5, 2008 at 7:22 pm

It’s incorrect to think that Imran Khan is a visionary. The guy might have a very good record for charity work but he falls short on the questions of politics and economy. Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaaf simply does not have any idea – I have read their manifesto and documents – about the integral questions of economics, State structure, and society (all of which are intricately interlinked). He has simply does not have anything new to offer on the table – why should one support it. Additionally, we know very well what line he took while voting during the Women’s Protection Bill and his constant and conpicious relationship with Qazi Hussain Ahmed. If you ask me, PPP might be bad but PTI does not offer as an alternative. It may be worse.