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Entry for Pak Tea House
By Mashal S. Ahmad:
Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf
Of all the faces in Pakistani politics today, one of the most interesting in terms of analysis is Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Popular to the point of worship amongst his voters, most of which comprise the urban, educated youth, his meteoric rise over the last few years in terms of television appearances has compelled me to ask the question over and over again; what is it that attracts and repels people from the Khan in seemingly equal measure?
I myself started off from a neutral position on his numerous statements on foreign and domestic policy, particularly in the case of the War on Terror. I witnessed an auditorium packed with youngsters of Pakistani origin studying abroad at a British University, chanting slogans of great admiration. I myself went with great curiousity to see what Imran Khan is all about. Even in that first-hand “encounter”, I was left with the feeling that we have everything under control, yet we don’t.I left with a particular understanding of geopolitics, but was confused by the lack of coherence underlying it.
But over time, as I myself grow in understanding about politics in Pakistan, and the issue of terrorism in general and the intersection between these currents, my distaste for Imran Khan and his philosophy has grown.Not to say that I don’t respect the youth who consider him one of the better politicians we have today; to each his own. But I do feel unsettled when their starry eyed devotion means they turn a blind eye to the philosophy he stands for. To me, Imran Khan is not a very real personality and his party is not a party that can win electoral success easily. PTI’s electoral success (or lack of) is testimony to how little he resonates amongst Pakistani voters. But what does make me interested is when this lack of presence in practical politics is proportionally much less than the media presence he has as a star. Thus more than a politician, Imran Khan for me is a phenomenon. Admitting inaccuracy in this statement, I would even go so far to say that just like Zaid Hamid was a phenomenon, so is Imran Khan. He is a nationalistic, anti-American mass of greatness, that somehow believes that its burning heat and light makes it the center of the universe like the sun. But will this heat and light show the way, or simply burn us to ashes? And more importantly, how will this mass sustain itself? It takes serious logical flexibility (or acrobats)to link everything negative in Pakistan to the subservience to the Americans.
Pakistanis have grown accustomed to having things out of their control. At least that is what is popularly believed, and therefore the mindset takes a life of its own. Our lack of progress in establishing the fundamentals that even Bangladesh, once well behind us in economic development, has achieved, our lack of leadership from all quarters, our insecurity, our loss of sovereignty, honour in our own eyes, all these things have made Pakistanis think that its definitely not upto ONE country to damage itself to this extent. Thus it must be others who have a hand in bringing about our downfall from previously relatively peaceful eras to today. Zaid Hamid tapped into this line of thought. RAW, CIA, Mossad, everyone is out there to get us because we are too great a nation to cause this damage to ourselves. He churned out lie upon lie to convince people to the “fact” that Pakistan is a state on which the entire world has its eyes.
Moving along the spectrum into slightly more certain territory, but no less insidious, is the line that while conspiracy theories aren’t very sensible, it is easier to argue that American policy has been planned to establish a cruel imperialism over realms to sustain itself. Thus the Americans are arrogant, wrong-headed people, and while one may or may not choose to wage jihad against them, we atleast understand that to be patriotic, one must be anti-American. We must boycott America, its aid, its culture, its way of doing things, and tell it to get out of the region. We must withdraw from the war on terror and reconcile with extremists as the misguided Pashtun nationalists they are, and seek reconciliation with them by soothing their wounds with land and power. In short, we allow extremists to exist with impunity within Pakistan as they are our own people. Forget about the countries that are against terrorism, their say does not matter.
But does that help the cause of advancing Pakistan in today’s world? Politics must be carried out on the basis of self-interest; but self-interest, dictated by one ideology (or one bogeyman) will be self-destruction. If you choose to challenge a stronger country because you must, common sense dictates you must do so at a time when the blowback would be absorbed. This blowback does not just encompass aid, it also includes stature in other countries eyes that gives you support in the international arena. Turkey can afford to show its fist to Israel at international forums because not only is it economically strong and independent, but also because Israel has much to lose if its loses Turkey’s support and Israel’s human rights violations are condemned across the board.
On the other hand, Pakistan has much to lose if it decides to go the ultra-nationalist route; we cannot eat our conception of sovereignty, or national honour, three times a day. We need international acceptance to survive, and for that, we must show that we are a country focused on our interests, but also have a healthy consideration of the international community. To be strong, as a weak country, we need to maintain strong alliances based on mutual interests, rather than isolation that parties like PTI and the right wingers want. To this end, I see no hope from these parties; their entire rhetoric is based on a conception of self-interest that is Anti-American. That is why drones, despite evidence to the contrary, are always portrayed as evil simply because they are in the hands of U.S.A.(but somehow aren’t evil if the Pakistanis have the technology).
One aspect is how to tackle the issue of terrorism when the U.S.A. withdraws eventually. Americans may leave Afghanistan sooner or later, but this does not remove the responsibility of defeating domestic extremism from our shoulders simply because we believe American presence caused it. While the withdrawal of American forces from the region could assist the Afghan Taliban in returning to power, the fact that they have established luxurious bases and extensive networks in Pakistan must make us realize that once here, it won’t be easy to dislodge them. And this simply ignores that extremism in numerous shapes and forms in Pakistan was prevalent before 9/11, and linking them to American presence now will leave us ill-prepared to tackle them once they leave. After all, if you establish the legitimacy of their existence, painting them as misunderstood tribals merely reacting against foreign invaders and the cruelty of a state, what hope do we have of mustering the political support to demilitarize and remove them later? Thus Imran Khan for me represents nothing but an ideology that is taking Pakistan down the most self-destructive route possible. My only hope is that with time, we as Pakistanis will realize that we need to review our definitions of national interest, and that there is no honour or prosperity in challenging the international community simply because you cannot fix what is wrong with your own country. Extremism in Pakistan and terrorism will need to be tackled sooner or later with or without American presence next door, and instead of looking at extremism through an American prism, we should deal with it as the menace it is. That is our true, stripped-down and de-ideologized national interest if we want to emerge as a modern, tolerant and secure society.
The writer has a Masters degree in International Relations from Kings College, London and teaches IR theory at a private university in Lahore.
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some points:
“the youth who consider him one of the better politicians we have today;”
Youth does not consider him to be a better politician, perhaps he is the worst politician! he is only a better “Leader” or perhaps the person with the best leadership abilities. The best “politician” is Zardari. Look how deftly he has masterminded MQM’s ouster and yet holds the throne. That is politics!
“PTI’s electoral success (or lack of) is testimony to how little he resonates amongst Pakistani voters”
with a 40% fake vote, the above statement just loses its thunder. Might as well take that in consideration.
” In short, we allow extremists to exist with impunity within Pakistan as they are our own people”
The Extremists, the Pashtun nationalists, the suicide bombers, the Ajmal Kasabs, the attackers on the srilankan team bus are pakistani nationals, hence they are our own people. Plain and simple!
“But does that help the cause of advancing Pakistan in today’s world? Politics must be carried out on the basis of self-interest; but self-interest, dictated by one ideology (or one bogeyman) will be self-destruction.”
Ideologies put forth by democratic parties are not the product of one person’s mind or bogeyman if you like, their success is linked to what the majority population endorses.
regarding the last paragraph:
There is a need to understand that extremism is not something that exists in a physical form, because if it were so, 10 years of American bombs would’ve surely erased it from the face of this earth. It is a mindset, and minds and hearts are not won/changed by aggression. Extremism definitely existed before 9/11 but it has grown over the last ten years courtesy of the assault. When you corner someone, terrify them, kill them, you let people gain sympathies for them, you make them heroes, you make them examples for their followers.
When a volcano erupts you dont control the flow by pelting stones at it, surely all stones you through will become its part only to make it stronger. You need to cut/dry off the source! What is the source? The source is the annual induction of 1 million kids in the madrasahs which are breeding extremism. So can you bomb these madrassahs and get rid of them? NO! They are pakistani nationals, they are our own people!
What you need is state level expenditure by providing education facilities which take away the kids being fed to these madrassahs. It will require a strong leader at the helm to do this, not a cunning politician. It will need a work of an entire generation, atleast 10-15 years of effort, atleast. It will need people with vision to run this country. Fight you must against extremism not through bombs of foreign origin, but through dialogue, through logic and reasoning, through strong leaders and men who have the courage to stand up, believe in themselves and take responsibility when something goes awry.
This current gifted bunch of donkeys living in MNA lodges and the parties they belong to will not do it, they do not have the capacity for it.
“Popular to the point of worship amongst his voters?” Sir, since when have these kids ever voted?
[...] Entry for Pak Tea House [...]
Islam is incapable of producing good leaders because flattery, cowardice and dishonesty characterize the results of islamic upbringing. But muslims are convinced that islamic upbringing brings forth good character, intelligence and bravery. Muslims are living in some dreams of islamic-faith-based betterment of life. It did not come in the past 1400 years.
Since one example is sufficient to contradict observer, we’ll say, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.
Why beat about the bush. He is following the style of a populist politician for some time now, that is to say following the themes which interest the common folk the youth, the poor and the lower middl class. He is also offering pragmatic solutions to the satisfaction of the majority of the people want. Whereas the media, the so called intellectuals have always been writing opinions of individual columnists which are not very well received by the groups of people metioned above and infact blowing in the air above theheads of the populace. How far he can go to mobilise his followers to get him the position of the Prime Minister is a separate question. He could definitely cause a revolution in the country if he so wishes.
Rex Minor
I am now becoming more curious – why is he causing so much jitter and nervousness especially among the followers of established thugs? Let the market decide his fate. He may fade away after one season in power but to shun him without having tested mocks the democratic principles we tout so much…
I find this article very very well written – it acknowledges the aura of Imran Khan the TV personality and points our that the TV personality is completely out of depth when it comes to thinking about political strategy for Pakistan. I like the conclusion that in the name of national interest, the thinking and actions of Imran Khan is actually working counter to that interest. I particularly applaud the author for writing an article devoid of inflammatory rhetoric and being thoughtful in tone throughout.
I accept all that Imran’s followers say… and all that his detractors say about him… humans are complex and we see what we want to see…
I only want to ask of whoever will answer, does this paragon of leadership and democracy hold elections within his political party?
I may be naive, but if there are no internal elections in a political party they have no right to claim to be democrats.
I understand that Pakistan political parties are known by their leader’s names and not by their manifesto; but Imran is hoping to be a ‘revolutionary’ leader… charity begins at home….:)
I have watched Imran Khan interviews many times with Faree Zakharia on CNN and also elsewhere. I also have read about his background too.
Imran Khan sounds very much like opportunistic demogogue who is after achieving political power. Interest of the people is secondary to him. Am I right?
I think that Mashall Ahmed as well as Zeenath have articulated their views very admirably.
Personally, i dont think that Imran is all that bad a dude .. although, albeit, he has around him some wellknown crooks as selftyled Heroic kitchen cabinet.
Charity begins, like justice, at home.
He should play cricket inside his kitchen as well as his kitchen cabinet.
I pity this man, who despite his sincerity to his cause, and perhaps to this nation, will be eaten away by hungry wolves in any future election, which he thinks will win with majority.
He has been a good cricketer, but politics is a dirty game, where more than charisma, deceit and shrewdness counts. Unfortunately he does not seem to be equipped with these “election winning weapons.”
Anyway, best of luck
to d’artagnan
Abdul Ghaffar Khan was influenced more by M K Gandhi than by the kuran. He tried – vainly – to find justification for his style of politics in the kuran. His thoughts were rejected by the muslims and the muslim rulers of Pakistan jailed and silenced him. Why?
So your example of Bacha Khan actually proves islam’s inability to produce good leaders. If a muslim takes to a good path following the example/teachings of some non-muslims (like M K Gandhi, who was no perfect human being and never claimed to be one) then he is jailed and silenced.
Pro-islamically brought up people suffer from this foot-in-the-mouth disease as shown by your post. One counter-example can disprove a thesis in mathematics, not in sociopolitical affairs. In sociopolitical matters the controlling rulers are the ones who decide the fate of a society.
May be I should formulate my conclusion about islam/muslims a litle differently:
How many good leaders (be they a result of islamic or non-islamic influence) does islam/muslims allow to be really effective in the long run?
As regards Imran Khan: he is a man of low intelligence (has nothing to with a degree or not from Oxford) and hence his ability to be honest (and hence self-critical) is very very small. He has not overcome his pashtun and muslim upbringing and is completely mired in its backwardness, megalomania, self-congratulations and self-deceit.
Observer, your second formulation is much more meaningful than your first. See, your criticism can improve!
Mian Observer ,
May be the answer is in the high Quranic morality practiced in Pakistani society. Please read the below link sympathetically and hope one day they find the courage to elevate themeslves from animalsitic instinctive standards to normal human level.Little self criticism , critical analysis of blind faith or belief and small amount of introspection could go long way to achieve normallancy. What good a God can do if It cant stop you from the following :-
http://islammonitor.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3910%3Amuslim-inbreeding-impacts-on-intelligence-sanity-health-and-society&catid=294%3Asocial-practices-interactions&Itemid=6
To sachbol
Islam and muslims have made themselves into a nuisance as follows:
Some believe that god is necessary for morality. They are intimidated into believing that they must increase god’s value and importance everywhere, otherwise they are being immoral and will be thrown by this god into eternal hell. A god who tries to make himself important by threatening human beings is not worthy of being called god or of being worshipped. The muslims have made a nuisance of themselves by their attempts to make their arab god important. Their god-concept is tyrannical and fascistic.
A god-centred morality is possible only if the god is not tyrannical or fascistic.
In India we have the pseudosecularists who wish to retain power by giving privileges to the muslims and by spreading hate against hindus. Their argument is: muslims are the “suffering” minority and the hindus are the persecuting majority. (As if in a minority vs. majority conflict the minority is always the innocent party!). This pseudosecularism and related propaganda manipulation has done much to increase the rift, anger and distrust between hindus and muslims.
Just a simple request to Sachbol, observe etc. Let us stick to discussion about the Great Imran Khan and refrain from criticism of Islam or any other religion . Let us not get distracted.
In my view the solution to achieve better a Pakistan is through democracy. Arrival of Imran Khan and similar politicians are part of that scene and must be accepted for a healthy growth.
Even in developed democracies , I don’t all politicians are perfect reps of people. So a bit more patienece is needed.
to kamath
We can talk about Imran Khan without bringing in islam if Imran Khan can do politics (today and in future) without bringing in islam (and the islam-glorifying history-writing). Is that not logical? How come you missed out on that?
So obviously you are putting the blame on the wrong side.
Pakistan cannot become better through democracy simply because islam has molested the pakistani mind so long (1200 to 60 years) that even democracy will only end up in a theocratic, backward-oriented, arab-racist fascism. Democracy presupposes high-level enlightenment and humanism. Islam has no place for that. Islam means submision – submission under a totalitarian absolutist-finalist 7th century arabic-tribal god-concept. Several muslims have strongly declared that islam and democracy were not and are not compatible. Islam means total obedience under a reactionary, allah-centric, no-questions-allowed regiment.
To Observer:
Let me ask you then how is it possible that countries like Malaysia, Indonesia or Turkey are considered democratic societies, cerainly better than Pakistan?
@sachbol
Didn’t life start from a single cell? Didn’t life evolve into different life forms over millions of years? Aren’t all humans inbred? And for that matter all life? Aren’t the differences in human shape and form a result of the surroundings they live in? This is all told to us by Westerners not Muslims. How can you wallow in such racism and hatred? How do you even live with yourself? What’s the difference b/w you and the Muslim extremists you hate? You both are made of the same cloth burning with hatred and rage. You are just different faces of the same coin.
There are arbitrarily chosen pre-suppositions that inform your analysis. Those pre-suppositions are not word of Hindu God or possess certain logic that is superior. They are employed by you to express the hatred you feel for Islam and Muslims as evident by the sweeping statements you make. There are your kin in Pakistan the likes of pseudo intellectual Zaid Hamid who is as informed about Hinduism/India as you are about Islam and make similarly sweeping, obnoxious and spurious statements. So don’t lose heart, you can feed off of each other.
Your thesis pre-supposes that all Muslims are practicing Islam. Yeah right! There are as many interpretations of Islam as there are Muslims. There are Muslims that believe in all sort of non-sense peddled in the name of Islam and then there are Muslims that believe in Islam that is if not more as enlightening, intelligent, logical, tolerant as any set of belief is or can be.
Muslims of today are going through a very turbulent phase in their history just like many other nations/people before them have and will until man inhabits planet earth. Such is the rise and fall of nations. Please stop spreading hate there is enough already.
The last post was meant for observer
to kamath
The islamic understanding of democracy is that muslims should have more rights than non-muslims. The examles of democracy in the muslim world are hence all riddled with ethno-fascism, tribalism and heavy discrimination against non-muslims. Turkey definitly is going slowly in the direction of more turkish ethno-fascism.
Another aspect is the falsification in history-writing. That is a misdeed in which all muslim societies (and not only they) excel.
I had written that even if there is democracy in islam it will lead only to more fascism and totalitarianism. That is the main spirit of the kuran.
—
to hotshot
I take my information about islam and muslims by reading pakistani newspapers only. I have written this before also and I hope you don’t force me to repeat it every week. Islam is already 1400 years old an dhas had huge resources at its disposal and hence no cry-baby excuses in favor of islam please. Grow up and learn to be self-critical and honest and courageous in your appraisal of real islam.
We don’t hate islam. We fear it, and one reason why we fear islam is because of the muslims’ inability to be honest. Islam teaches muslims that they may only praise and glorify islam otherwise they will land in eternal hell. This leads to muslims becoming incapable of being honest and that is the real cause of why we fear islam. hate is something quite diffrent. But it is a common habit and tactic among muslims to accuse those who criticze islam as being hateful so as to vilify and ignore them.
Well said by Hot Shot, this anamoly is all over,the use of diversionary tactics to avoid serious disussion on a subject.
Such people deny the Darvin theory when confronted with the theory of fully and not fully biologicaly developed people types in our midst. They make use of the word ‘RACIAST’. And when you tell them that according to sciptures it is God’s will that certain people or groups of people live their life in ignorance and confusion then they deny God’s existence and say how could a God be unkind to some and prejudiced?
Rex Minor
i as a simply Pakistani know one thing that imran khan is brave ,clean and simple .
We should, and why not have extensive non partisan discussions about a person who is suddenly in the focus because of the worst crises Pakistan ever faced since it’s creation. After a decade of military dictatorships, peoples party was supported to strengthen the roots of democracy but unfortunately their priorities remained the same as in the past, rule & graft.
As Pakistan is passing through a huge turbulent , we have to seriously weigh the abalities of the different aspirants to be in the hiighest slots.
Imran Khan is well known due to his good cricketing carrier, great efforts to build shoukat Khanum Hospital. He is energetic and fresh charming face having not many skeletons in his closet, except questionable moral activities which is scrutinized when nations choose some one to lead them because neither the financial nor moral corruption is accepted in the democratic system.
I will still not mind to vote for him if this could bring the change in the plight of common Pakistanis. But we need to see something else in the CV of a potential candidate other than being vocal. Right or wrong criticism while sitting in the stadium or in TV Sudios while watching the game is very convenient for all, irrespective of the proper knowledge of the game.
I wished Imran Khan had started his political career not from the cricket stadium and Shoukat Khanum Platform, but by at least by first becoming mayor of Lahore – member of Punjab Assembly- National Parliment and have adequate political experience before we could entrust him to lead Pakistan, especially under current situation.
The biggest question I will raise that does he qualify to fly big 747 when he has no experience of even two engine small turbo pop. His CV is blank in this regard. This is very reasons that he is often confused and is misguiding to the people who are fed up and want to have change in the current conditions.
Under what ever circumstances, we can not make experiments at this stage otherwise their could be a unrecoverable crash.
Pakstan like most muslim countries and the wider world need structural changes and reforms of the institutions. How one achieves this in the current circumstanc Pakistani leaders and the intellectuals know better, but as an observer I reckon that people must change their radical methodology of dealing with issues.
The spring revolution which started in Arab countries is likely to take years to bear fruit and equaly Pakistan is going to require years of struggle to build a truly democratic Govt. in the country which upholds the dignity of its citizens without any discrimination. One does not require a pilot license to own an Air Bus or a Phd qualfication to run a business. Those who are engaged in community service and have the will to serve the people and lead when required should be the pre-requisites for a political office. Pakistan should not hesitate to outsource competent technocrats if necessary.
Rex Minor
PS Reforms in the constitution and the Judiciary must have the priority.
(deleted)
This post is one of those on which an interactive argument can be started as I differ from you on this, but nonetheless great quality post. I am impressed the way you illustrate it. I think I will be coming back to read some of your posts.
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Talk to you later,
Michael Desire
I had to go through it again since I could not grab the entire essence of the post in one go. That was a very articulate and logical point you make there. I appreciate you letting me know your thinking on this.
There are certainly a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That is a great point to bring up. I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important thing will be working in honest good faith. I don’t know if best practices have emerged around things like that, but I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a fair game.
Talk to you later,
Michael Desire
My views on this topic differ from you. It is great that you brought this up on your blog. It was a nice controversial read. What once seemed like a never discussed issue has become more prevalent. It’s that time to change our stance on this though.
An impressive share, I’ve just given your post print out to one of my colleagues who was doing a little analysis on this. He insisted and bought me a breakfast because I found it for him… Smile. So let me reword that: Thanks for the treat! Thanks for spending your time to discuss this. I feel strongly controversial about it and love reading more on this topic. Yeah! Intellectual debate! As you become expert, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It highly feeds our intellectual. Two thumbs up!
Talk to you later,
Michael Desire
I dont think so…In my opinion,i think he is the best leader but that does not mean that he is incapable of politics…And whomever joins his party ,he is under Imran’s leadership so he cant do any wrong thing without his permission and I f Imran is wrong then tell me our economy is no drowning which party should we support?…
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