Why is it wrong to praise Imran Khan?
As a nation we may cry for change but looking at our behaviour, we don’t really seem to actually want it. We are so deeply embedded in our comfort zone ruled by dynasties and corrupt politicians that when someone different comes along, we can’t wait to mock them on our Facebook statuses and pinpoint the first thing we see wrong in them.
Those topping the Imran Khan hate-list couldn’t stop typing their sarcasm last night about how he held a concert at his Lahore rally. Yeah. He did. Altaf does it. Shahbaz does it. Zardari may hope to one day do it but none of them have so far managed to get crowds singing with them. Imran Khan did – and not while he blared his version of Jalib or a parody of Parday may rehnay do… instead he managed to get onboard people who can actually help him create some kind of unity amongst the crowds – how can that go against him?
How do you even ridicule such an energetic crowd of thousands when compared to the bored and jaded crowd sitting at other political rallies clutching photographs of leaders who aren’t even in front of them?
Imran Khan did not indulge in the usual blame-game we are normally spectators to when it comes to political rallies. Do we really enjoy the tradition of dwelling over the past and discrediting opponents so much that we can’t take a minute to enjoy the fact that for a change we didn’t have to listen to a lecture about who all were responsible for Pakistan’s failures?
So his charisma and cricket career adds to his appeal – good for him. Would we prefer if he had a criminal past or was a part of the feudal elite? For once, we have someone who is not relying on his family lineage or taking pride in the fact that he spent an X number of years in prison. It may not be enough to make him a great candidate for premiership but it is enough for some to be proud of him – let those people have this moment.
The minorities and women also have a right to welcome this moment as Khan promised to protect their rights, which is as crucial as the other point he mentioned: Balochistan. Bringing Balochistan into mainstream politics may not be the easiest task he takes up, but given he gets the chance to do that and then succeed – well that’s what you call a victory.
His policies may be all over the place… or not even in place yet but Imran Khan has managed to do something none of the other leaders have so far – wake people up. Forget the rural voters who are promised a plate of biryani for their vote. I am talking about people such as your siblings, your neighbours and co-workers. He has managed to wake them up, register themselves and get excited to vote for the very first time. How far Imran Khan manages to go, who knows, but making even quarter of this nation optimistic about the future is a very big achievement already.
More than ever before, we see parallels being drawn here with what Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto created decades ago. The dreams, the hopes and the energy. The youth that Imran Khan has woken up may be as naïve as the rural men who ZAB had woken up once but then again dreamers are always naïve.
Where Imran Khan must differ from ZAB is by learning how to accommodate and facilitate a difference of opinions. He must realise that India is not the enemy and living by the hate rhetoric will not get us very far.
Speaking very clearly on foreign policy, Khan stated that his party does indeed want relations and friendship with the US – BUT, on the basis of equality. He doesn’t want to be America’s puppet – how is that a bad thing? We won’t get dollars, true, but we may manage to get some respect. He doesn’t want to fight America’s war – what’s wrong with that? Last time I checked, we were pretty desperate to claim our sovereignty, which is impossible when our government itself allows the US to drop its missiles inside our territory. But then if that doesn’t happen – who will fight the monsters we created that are blowing people up? Imran Khan thinks dialogue is the solution – so you don’t agree, sure. But it’s not as if military action has so far achieved too many results either – if anything some claim that it is breeding terrorism – but then again, everyone has an expert opinion these days on how to get rid of militancy, if anything Khan is entitled to his – especially when he has the courage to say all this without an entourage of feudal guards around him or a bullet-proof podium to protect him.
The writer is the Deputy Editor at Dawn.com
People of Pakistan looking upon Imran Khan & confident that he can bring real revolution in Pakistan.My humble suggestion to Imran Khan to be careful &precise while delivering some speech,avoid such statements'Army& ISI will be under my control' inshallah when you will come in power automatically every one will be in your control.We understand you don't have a magic wand but needs to work patiently to bring your vision in reality. Good luck
He is a great leader and we all young youth are with him. We want him to be the next president of Pakistan but its only possible when these all parties like MQM &PPP is baned. Our all hopes lies with imran khan not other than him. He is a true and brave politician as well as a good human being who can persuade and lead our nation towards positivity which will bring change in Pakistan. WE ALL ARE ALWAYS STANDING WITH YOU..
KEEP YOUR SPIRITS HIGH..
Imran is the only honest and daring leader in PAK, may Allah (SWT) protect him and give him success, we need to support him, whole youth of PAK must support him so we could bring the change for which we waited since ages………
U r Right………………………………………….
Give this man (Imran Khan ) a chance, otherwise we will get the same old wine in a new bottle in coming elections.
Hmmmm interesting read and quite a few comments u got there!
But my question is what has he waken up the people of pakistan for?
What change is he talking about?
I think so, IK has the ability to take on the leading role. The people of Karachi are with him as well but due to his bit biased attitude towards Karachi players in the past , they are bit skeptical. I think so he has changed himself quite lot and he can attract karachities towArds him. He can bring Karachi into main politics provided he understand and address the reasons of karachities leaving different political parties and start joining this MQM. Everybody knows that karachities were not racist or ethnic minded as everybody knows that Jamaat e islami use to dominate in Karachi but then they realise that these major parties are not doing any good to people of Karachi, neither they have enough representation of karachities in their leadership.
I think so now IK has to think on these lines to attract Karachi towards him. I can't see in the country any better leader than him.
why don't we organize independent election "watchdog" groups to monitor voting booths? we should try to count the votes, by counting the number of people walking to these booths. the government will obviously try to rig the elections, especially using the NADRA system. however, a physical count, conducted by several watchdog groups constantly using twitter to update the people, will be able to prevent any rigging.
for example, if PPP or PML-N rig the elections and claim that 35,000 people voted for their respective party. independent counts will reveal that the total number of participants in the election do not match the proportion of party votes claimed in the results of the election. the key is to highly publicize this and mobilize the younger generation, through social networks like Twitter, to protest fraudulent elections if discovered.
People of Pakistan must vote for the ideal candidate who can give clean governance and create economic growth and generate jobs. My feeling is that a sizeable number of Pakistani's prefer someone who espouses the harsh version of sharia law – as is evident from the amount of support provided to the Punjab Governer's killer
All we need is a sincere leader. If Imran can give us 1% of clean leadership at the top, I am sure it will translate to the bottom. We have degraded as a society over the time and it will take us time to recover. It is not possible to produce the best of the best at this time but I am sure with time we will rise again. For now I am please to take a baby step forward by voting Imran Khan and change. Best wishes to PTI.
PTI will win the next elections inshallah…..
64 years are a decent number of years for a country to gain its respect in all aspects of life, apparently the people with so much brains who are in Pakistan do not have the guts to decide what they want.
yes! we need a change .Buck up Imran khan ,you are our dream leader.
Authors frustration is understandable. I am also surprised at the volume of "intellectual" as well as downright abusive criticism that is being directed at Imran. For me, voting for Imran Khan this election is a no-brainer. Unless of course, you feel satisfied with the current leaders.
the writer seams to be naive and biased about the exact opinion about the government's doings. may be relating imran khan with ZAB work in some point in time, but theres always a difference in one's own mentality. along with one's own life experiences. what imran khan seams to be doing may be similar to ZAB's strategies but there is a huge difference in mentalities of both of them.
As happy as I am to see this article, I am surprised too. This article cant be labelled PRO-Imran Khan. It is indeed very neutral. It is comparing politics of one with another and questioning whats wrong in things that PTI has done? Everything I have in mind, I saw in words here. But I have always felt these things were quite obvious, do educated class even need to debate on it? Altaf sings BOLLYWOOD in his khitab, Shabaz is a horrible singer (no offence), Imran Khan had patriotic songs being sung for heavensake! I, being a youth of this country, thinks PTI pulled it off brilliantly. hats off
There are more Karachiites speaking here than Pakistanis. Does this mean, pretty soon Karachiites may separate from Sindh and even go further to separate from Pakistan?
I think everyone needs to realize that it doesn't matter whether some may think Imran is inexperienced or not fit for politics. if the man has sincerity and honest intentions, what do we care? we should all go out there and vote for him! if the people of Pakistan don't take the first step towards change, when will they do so and will they do so in the future? stop saying "i'll worry about this tomorrow" because "tomorrow" will never come if you continue to sit there, useless.
Indeed a very good beginning for Imran Khan. But he has a long way to go to translate into election victory. I hope he succeeds. Best of luck
very well said in this article…
I was a big supporter of nawaz sharef but after outcome of IK nw i hv been passionate about a change in our counry. i have registered my vote and i'm definitely compel my family to vote even if IK won't win but itx our sole responsibility to vote.. my Vote for IK..
Lastly I want to ask the next jalsa of PTI is going to be held in karachi, so wht are the opinion of karachi ppl regarding this upcoming jalsa of IK?? wud it be same like lahore jalsa or not??
Our Leader Imran Khan is an example like Where Eagles dare', so its mean he will be a change agent in Pakistan. So Khan sb will approve that our country Pakistan is a paradise in this world.
Nice yearling all this about our country Pakistan that people want change n they r following the right person Imran khan I'm his fan since I was 13 now im 38 still love him as a great team leader ,a leader who dare to fight in ground, but slight change in politics ground specially pakistans politics which is the darty ,I never been to vote n nor I support till now .. But I do thinking of Imran khan this time.. He is educated world seen hard worker n gentle in person have personality all in one he decide n do … All other faces of politics if comes back to pak government means we r over so guys we need change stand up give a chance to some one new face with new brain may pak will stand back on his feet in world .
Imran is a believer who has demonstrated FAITH in all that he has done. That alone boosts up his worth. Remember the story of the frog who stopped trying to get out of a jar, the lid of which was removed once he stopped trying!
May these supporters turn into voters.
We seriously need a change, which can bring our glory back. Till now we have seen so many vows which had never been materialize, inspite of this we as a nation in utter disgust of corruption, inflation hike, GDP downfall, unemployment etc. To embrace success we should stand united to be with CHANGE in terms of votes not by just willingness for a change
Imran will make a great leader,,we need people who can change the depressing circumstances of Pakistan and i think he's the man.We tried PPP and nawaz party they r all failures and MQM another distructive force among them good for nothing. We need someone like Imran khan who genuienly loves his country and wants the best…my congrates to him on this successful rally…we are counting on you Imran to see Pakistan a better place to live and be proud of our nationality.WE ARE WITH YOU
He deserves to praise when it comes to question regarding corruption and reforms in Pakistan.
There is second big problem i.e. “extremism” in Pakistan society. Being in a minority and liberal in Pakistan, I am concerned about his right wing rhetoric about drones and anti-Americanism. Nobody is against discussion with Taliban but his policies are vague and not-concise that how he will handle them.
How he will control untamed extremist elements with “only” discussion?