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The 'tsunami' is ready. We will be ready. Obviously it suits our party...if this government goes for another six months: Imran Khan.—AFP photo
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s wildcard politician Imran Khan says he is happy to go into opposition if his “tsunami” of popular support fails to bring him a landslide victory at elections now widely expected within months.
The 59-year-old former cricketer has ridden a wave of support buoyed by mass rallies and has openly backed the courts’ pursuit of embattled President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
But in an interview with AFP at his hilltop villa outside Islamabad, Khan admitted that his fledgling Movement for Justice could suffer if a series of crises force general elections earlier than September or October.
“The ‘tsunami’ is ready. We will be ready. Obviously it suits our party…if this government goes for another six months,” he said.
Under the Pakistani constitution, a government resigns in favour of an administration of technocrats for up to three months before a general election.
If the current government collapses earlier than the summer, Khan could see his popularity —built on the back of nationalist rhetoric delivered with messianic zeal and rousing musical performances —put to a premature test.
“We would happily go into the opposition if we can’t form a government because basically it’s a battle between forces of status quo and forces of change,” Khan told AFP.
Speculation is widespread in Pakistan that Khan’s party is being quietly groomed by the powerful military, which are believed to back moves in the courts to chip away at Zardari and Gilani’s authority.
“I think it’s the endgame because the government —it’s been openly defying the Supreme Court,” said Khan.
“I don’t think the Supreme Court is going to back down. They’ve called the prime minister dishonest so really in any decent democracy he should have resigned by now and then asked to go back to the people.”But he added: “No one wants martial law in this country, none of us want it. I think the time for martial law is over in Pakistan.”
Khan insists his relationship with the generals is a “sensible” one that would put him clearly in charge should his party sweep to power.
“If I’m the prime minister, if I have the responsibility, I have the authority,” he said.
Predictions for early polls have inched forward as tensions have risen between the prime minister and army, and with the Supreme Court now holding Gilani in contempt of court.
The contempt order given by judges adjudicating corruption claims leaves the government’s fate perilously unclear.
Analysts say that however it plays out, momentum is building for early elections, officially due at the beginning of 2013, but now believed more probable in either April or September-October.
Khan rules out forming a coalition with any of the “status quo” parties he considers venal and corrupt —Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party or opposition PML-N led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Instead he is confident that his prescription for Pakistan —unbuckling the country from the US-led war on terror alliance with the United States by refusing foreign aid and launching a massive austerity drive, will succeed.
But political commentators say Khan’s vision of a united Pakistan free from mafia and liberated from foreign influence is a pipe dream playing to a receptive crowd as the country faces renewed political uncertainty.
Malaysia, Turkey, South Africa and even Scandinavia are cited as models of inspiration for Khan and among the youth, his message is being widely embraced.
“He is giving them dreams, dreams for the future,” said Hasan Askari. “But we don’t know whether he will be able to realise those dreams.”
Journalist Najam Sethi said Khan’s message feeds the mindset of the majority of disaffected lower middle class Pakistani voters —conservative, Muslim and increasingly anti-American.
“He is, shall we say, the most articulate anti-American shrill voice in this country —number one. Number two, Imran is also now pandering to certain religious symbols,” Sethi said.
Khan’s next rally is planned for March 23 in Quetta.
He has to work hard to define clearly his vision and programme for the country away fom the spheres of the corroding feudalism and based on a merciless accountability.
If we analyze neutrally without seeing media hyp, n see seat by seat then Imran would not be able to win more than 10 seats in the National Assembly………he will stand 4th party in the Assembly after MQM or JUI. Party position would be like
1)PMLN
2)PMLQ/PPP
3)MQM
4)JUI
5)PTI
Only Legahari , Tareen, Qasoori and Makhdooms cant' make him win the elections.Even there will be a tough contest on the seats of Qureshi and Hashmi.
All eyes set on your victory – IK we are wholeheartedly with you.
it is time for change. Khan should not set a lower target for himself and believe in himself and in those that support him. We must try our hardest and if it is god's wish he succeeds then no one can stop him.
Imran is certainly going in opposition after these elections… He should be more careful in upcoming 4 to 5 years…
To achieve the impossible, you first have to dream it. It's called a vision. If Imran can atleast give Pakistanis the vision, then that is part of the battle won. Nations are not built on pessimism.
Najam sethi has no idea, what this man can do for this country
I think most of the people attending rallies of Imran Khan are wrong. Imran Khan will not perform any miracles. There will be no change in the working of the government. The same corrupt beauracrats will be running the ministries. All the leaders flocking to join him are the most corrupt lot who see a future where they can continue to loot the country.
The whole system has to change. The Supreme Court has to move in first and force the so called leaders of Pakistan to declare their wealth – in Pakistan and outside and then declare the source of this wealth. A commission of judges be established which will scrutinize the wealth returns of these leaders. Every effort should be made to bring back the plundered wealth of the country which has been moved to the Swiss banks and invested in real estate in Dubai.
This should be the direction our country be taking. If this does not happen, no Imran Khan can solve the problems of the common man who is only looking forward to survive and provide at least two meals to their children, provided they can cook without gas or electricity.
Wake up guys, Imran Khan cannot be our saviour. He is busy collecting the most corrupt lot of the country.
Mr.Khan You should not go into the opposition…….!!!
No way, I want see him next prime minister not in opposition. Otherwise this country will be finish and there will be no Pakistan but five different Pakistan .
We want Imran to run government, no time left for opposition
We dont want Imran to be in Opposition but in Government and do something for the country
I regard it as Imran Khan's realistic and down to earth approach.
I appreciate his approach because straightforwardness and national thinking for a positive change.