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ISLAMABAD: Not only his rivals but also some of his staunch supporters have distanced themselves from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s call for ‘civil disobedience’ and the removal of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) government.
Saeed Khurshid Ahmed, a PTI candidate for National Assembly seat NA-153 in the 2013 election, has conveyed his resentment to Imran Khan over his call for the ‘civil disobedience’.
In a letter addressed to the party chairman, Mr Ahmed stated: “I had joined PTI for the reason that this party believed in merit, institutional freedom, justice and the rule of law.”
Know more: Imran’s surprising call for civil disobedience
Criticising the stance of Mr Khan during the ongoing march, he said the party demand for the removal of the elected prime minister did not convince him as a party worker.
“I felt it my moral obligation to convey my opinion to the PTI leadership though I am not part of the committee dealing with the situation. Since we are seeking an unconstitutional change, it will be disastrous and will definitely lead to a political turmoil and anarchy,” the letter said.
“The public opinion graph shows a U-turn about our party’s vision and existence. We are sharply heading to be branded like a militant group and an anarchist party. The soft image of the party pursuing electoral reforms, institutional freedom, justice, rule of law and above all social, economical and educational reforms in the country seems to have changed.”
Mr Ahmed added: “I have been observing, since the beginning of the ‘Azadi’ march, that you have changed your statements and party position regarding the objectives of the march.
“You have won the confidence of some veteran leaders, such as Javed Hashmi, who joined you in the pursuit of changing the status quo.
“I must say in direct words that there is a disappointment amongst the majority of PTI supporters who don’t like violence, hate speeches, anarchy, insulting remarks against institutions, especially the judiciary, police and a retired army chief, etc.”
He wrote that Pakistan can’t afford to be a failed democracy or state and requested the party chief to withdraw his call for the civil disobedience decision.
Mr Ahmed was not alone in criticising his party chief for his current stance.
K. Asif, a former president of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF), who has been with Mr Khan for over a decade, also did not approve of the decision of his party chief.
Asif, who resigned from the post of the ISF president last year but retained the membership of the party, said that the current leadership of the party appeared to have forgotten its slogan of bringing a change in a positive manner.
He said newcomers had spoiled the image of the PTI by giving ill advices to Imran Khan.
Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2014
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Comments (47) Closed
Aug 20, 2014 06:42am
Everyone is entitled to have their opinio. When the ship sinke, everyone tries to jump off except the captain. However, when things will get better, these birds will join the Eagle.
Peace
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Aug 20, 2014 06:48am
Not only the methods, but the language adopted by IK is deplorable to say the least...
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Aug 20, 2014 06:49am
This is another reason we support PTI, it has freedom of expression and one can disagree with party leadership.
Though most of PTI supporters are of same opinion that we should have stopped the march after Govt's response to accept the recount.
I may not know what party leadership knows.
In any event I do support PTI and will support it as long as we have IK is leading since I trust IK over whole lot of PML-M/Q , PPP, MQM and other smaller regional parties.
Now that PTI has gone so far, I pray that they achieve the goals for which they took this stance.
I pray that this march does not end up in a bloodshed. May Govt take some positive steps to resolve the confrontation.
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Aug 20, 2014 06:49am
This thinking belongs to those who do not want CHANGE. Everyone is thinking that PTI is losing its credibility; this is not true. Time will tell us ,wait and see.
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Aug 20, 2014 07:03am
Anarchy is the word to say the least for Mr. Khans actions. How can a person leading 1 lac people call for the resignation of a constitutionally elected government. He is setting a wrong precedence. Would the successive governments be at the mercy of an excited bunch of slef-confessed righteous souls? Pakistanis need to think after all you don't need a talisman to muster a crowd of 50000 in the subcontinent . In a mature democracy elections are the battlefield and u fight in it with ballot bullets.
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Aug 20, 2014 07:16am
I regret my two years association with PTI-USA chapter. I left PTI the day IK called for civil disobedience.
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Aug 20, 2014 07:18am
SAEED K. AHEMD and K. ASIF, I applaud both of you for taking a stand against IK ,s call for civil disobedience.
We definitely, don't need this kind of leaders.
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Aug 20, 2014 07:22am
He also used deception/lies. He gave in writing that he'll not cross the red zone, and still did. Plus many other supposed U-turns. If a leader of this magnitude openly lies like that then what guarantee do you have, he wouldn't lie to other people in the future? Also, what message are you sending to the young generation, that it is okay to lie, it is okay to deceive. Leadership also involves trust, how can people trust him in the future?
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Aug 20, 2014 07:23am
There are loser every where even in pti
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Aug 20, 2014 07:40am
Why you guys not understanding is no party leader risk his her political career on such lines and does normal opposition but the sincerely level of Ik and his vision no end to monarchy no end to have free and fair election and parliament judiciary are practically not working on it even after Ik continuous demands.so what else they left for Ik. Either keep living under these monarch or come out on roads and show the Nation in not satisfied with their duplicity rigged election and dysfunctional democracy. I hope you guys understand it is not easy for any one but sometime for future betterment one have to take hard decisions.
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Aug 20, 2014 07:54am
@lake you got that right
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Aug 20, 2014 08:02am
@Zaheer . This should be eye opening for ever PTI worker that despite the tall claims of captain to gather a crowed of one million could not materialized only 20-25 thousands were there instead. The language used in rallies by IK reflects has cracked his image as national leader.
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Aug 20, 2014 08:11am
"Two PTI workers question Imran
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Aug 20, 2014 08:27am
@ H L
It is possible that your perception of your leadership is not entirely accurate. I am personally gravely disappointed with his lack of vision and use of invective for almost every one who matters in the country. I grant
you your right to hold on to your point of view.
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Aug 20, 2014 08:27am
Unnatural change leads to unnatural circumstances leads to unnatural behavior which leads to anarchy and revenge thoughts. Imran is surrounded with advisors who are giving him bad advises. Imran tend to forget PML n is not a party of two. It holds more power than PTI and god forbid if Imran is successful in toppling this government, PML n will not rest. Imran is a stubborn and hungry for power.
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Aug 20, 2014 08:45am
Mr. Ahmad and Mr. Ali if you don't understand the objective of the move then try to understand the philosophy of it otherwise you can quite rather than questioning and talking to media
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Aug 20, 2014 08:46am
@Commenter: What about language of Shahbaz Sharif, against sitting President Asif Ali Zardari, language spoken by Khawaja's and Rana's of the PML(N).
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Aug 20, 2014 09:07am
If our politicians succeed in toppling the government by un-democratic means then no elections required and the future politicians must have minimum following education/qualities/abilities to change the government by creating anarchy and political turmoil by unconstitutional means: Diploma in Dharna(sit-in) and Long March, Militant style, violence lover, anarchist, un-democratic approach, ill Mannered,able to play firework from tongue, hatred and blaming attitude, uses abusive language about others, rigid in views, impatient, zero tolerance, un-trustable, specialist in U-Turns, does not believe in merit(institutional freedom, justice and rule of law) and Maula jut(punjabi film) style in speeches.
May Almighty Allah bless my country. Aamin
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Aug 20, 2014 09:13am
This is the uniqueness of PTI. Two general members differ and they make it to headline because when someone differs in ideological party people know there must be a point, valid or invalid, not just personal interest. Freedom of expression is exuberant in the party as well.
Even if this movement fails to achieve what it is out for, following has already been achieved or proved to be possible in Pakistan:
1. Police now well aware not to obey illegal orders and follow only written orders
2. It is made amply clear that election process is fraught with the problems and need a deep clean and overhaul
3. Massive peaceful demonstration are a reality in Pakistan if the leaders make it a point.
4. People have now grown out of their needs of today and self and taking actions for their country and for long term.
5. People are keeping eyes on their leaders closely to keep them from going astray
6. MNAs and MPAs can live like a common man
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Aug 20, 2014 09:13am
@lake
Spot on. Later on they will even deny that they did not write such letters.
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Aug 20, 2014 09:17am
@Zaheer
Only the media is saying that PTI is losing. Rest of the people who I interact with directly are saying that PTI is winning and making positive history. Do not trust the TV channels. Think for your self, leave your homes and join the March. It is time for POSITIVE CHANGE.
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Aug 20, 2014 09:20am
Its word on the wall now that PTI will loose its credibility sooner or later and because of their hate speeches and language used for opponents...
Leave the govt aside they did not mind to negotiate with other political parties either...they closed the doors and evev windows of opportunity to save their face.
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Aug 20, 2014 09:29am
@umesh which elected government? Thats the exact point he is making, when there is such strong evidence of cheating, if he did not speak up, who would? only the one whose been cheated against, again and again, would speak up out of sheer pain after 14 months...i am not pakistani, but watching the news, and if i were him i would do the same, the govt did not even admit there was fraud, even when the govt departments were stating there were "irregularities"...if one sees something wrong, and can't say its wrong, then the society one lives in must be helped. Imran Khan might not be the best person to lead, but he is one of the most forward thinking leaders out of Pakistan, he is self made, and I couldn't find any case against him on the internet, so he's pretty clean, something unheard of for politicians from this region.
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Aug 20, 2014 09:38am
Imran Khan never had a plan he followed Dr . Qadri and decorates his shoulders now as he always does. This is clear to me after his most important speech in his 18 years. Lets stay realistic what are we getting in to. There has to be a better democratic way. There are no short cuts Imran Khan just wait your turn and all will come to you .
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Aug 20, 2014 09:39am
Questioning the leader is a good sign and it is a heakthy sign sign of a vibrant party
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Aug 20, 2014 09:40am
@bilal You are very weak minded. Everything is fair in war and peace.
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Aug 20, 2014 09:42am
take his medal for 1992 world cup away. he cannot be rewarded for treason and crimes against the state. let the name of ik never be repeated in good circles but only to give examples of twisted losers when dealing with future generations. and deport people like lake and mamu and all other pathetic people who are looking for this CHANGE by shitting on islamabad streets and marching on to elected pm's house with sticks.
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Aug 20, 2014 09:52am
PTI went for all options to take stand for rigging in elections..if they would have not taken to streets..5 years would have passed without any action on rigging and all the corrupt parties would form alliance to rigg election again ,..thus stealing mandate of the people..this cycle will go on for ever..untill people stand like they are standing today..everything cant be acheived by sitting in airconditioned rooms...people have to stand for their right when it is not provided...Please remember..this was the last thing PTI did..to march and protest...
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Aug 20, 2014 09:52am
Let's bring back the military as they have a way to better govern and that's what Imran is working towards. We may try to get the democracy again in another 10 years. We do not deserve democracy at the moment.
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Aug 20, 2014 09:54am
Well-Said Saeed Khurshid Ahmed. I hope all followers of Mr. Imran Khan get the message and persuade Mr. Imran Khan to heed to Mr. Saeed Khurshid Ahmed's advice.
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Aug 20, 2014 10:09am
Every PTI and PAT supporter is talking about New Pakistan. old Pakistan have become useless for you peoples . I am living in Canada . Can I sell you old Pakistan for few thousand dollars. Now the old Pakistan have become 67 year old. Nobody will be going to give more money for this old and rejected
thing.
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Aug 20, 2014 10:25am
Sign of a genuine democratic party where members are not like personal employees.Look at PML N Ministers.More than half have their sympathies for Azadi and Inqilab but they dare not express.
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Aug 20, 2014 10:26am
What is the big deal about Civil Disobedience Campaign? It is a non violent way of showing dissent again the policies and practices of Govt. However, all who are part of the campaign should willfully accept any punishments / repercussions. The moral high ground is you show your dissent but face justice as it is a breach of law after all.
Why can a common man not ask the PM where the money is going? Why is he not paying bills? Is it not his / her constitutional right? The march has so far been peaceful, the only violence / force we have seen has been from the Govt. side. The moment anyone gets violent they should be handled with an iron fist, who ever it is.
The problem in the country is there is no justice and accountability. Every govt. official is a servant of the people and they should start accepting that rather than acting like they own Pakistan.
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Aug 20, 2014 10:28am
very true. thank God we have some ppl left with moral values. This letter should be an eye opener for PTI supporters who are un knowingly driving the country to anarchism for no good.
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Aug 20, 2014 10:29am
The need to get rid of Nawaz at all costs is inexplicable. Especially, when the cost includes the opportunity cost of spending the same time on the welfare of those who voted PTI into power in the north. We Punjabi's hoped to envy KPK. But I'm afraid, that's not going to happen.
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Aug 20, 2014 11:22am
It is PTI that give him space to express his opinion. PTI does not want unconstitutional change, but it is quite difficult to snatch justice from status quo parties. PTI will keep this pressure until government accepts legitimate demands of accountability and reforms of PTI.
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Aug 20, 2014 11:26am
I think it might have been meaningful to read a critical review rather than only an expression of views of a couple of party members. That being said, only democratic parties tolerate a diversity of views.
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Aug 20, 2014 11:28am
Only those people can understand the call of Mr Imran Khans civil disobidence who had suffer the same agony like other millions of people suffering in Pakistan like no clean water no electricity no gas no justice no jobs no healthcare for pour people no proper education no proper roads, so on.
I dont understand whay some one has to pay but in retrun not geting any thing back, whay some one pays taxes to let these businessmens get rich, who came in power (goverment) with their money to expand their welth and have no mercy for a common man,my personal opnion is that as long as we let this happen to us it will go on and on, it has to stop some time by any means.
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Aug 20, 2014 11:56am
If you want revolution there has to be some steps taken. This is better than violence. I was not expecting anything to happen with just a march till pmln resign but this has brought some hope. We want no more corruption and all the corrupted ones out. If this needs to be done then its just fine!
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Aug 20, 2014 11:59am
Change is inevitable.... the institutes with our "yes sir" political culture cannot be expected to bring about change... It was the same march that brought Musharaf the ex-president down though in retrospect he did more than the Zaradari and Nawaz govts. combined... the same march brought the corrupt cheif justice back..... Pakistanis need to think beyond their short-term personal goals and agendas... its a matter of future.. future of children of pakistan... we can't and shouldn't allow the same rubbish to go on in the name of evolutionary improvements through stability.... Watching these youth, over-seas Pakistanis, women with their children leading the march should put to shame the so called intellectuals of our country....
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Aug 20, 2014 01:30pm
Of course they want to gain political mileage.
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Aug 20, 2014 02:22pm
Like Ahmed and Asif, I am PTI voter who will be voting differently come next election. I was a tabdeeli razakar who not only got my family of four but my cousins, aunts and uncles to vote for IK. In all I convinced at least 12 ppl. IKs continued arrogance and ego to topple a sitting PM throuhg street protest even when NS has already asked CJ to investigate rigging is not acceptable. Further the hate speech is another factor which is not justified in any cirumstance. I hope this will help IK think.
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Aug 20, 2014 02:26pm
@bilal because you are a naive and do understand what it mean how strongly that statement has gained popularity in the international media stop living in a box and get out you left PTI ? It very obvious our nation is filled with confused people who lack determination
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Aug 20, 2014 06:20pm
@sameeh imran khan needed to act as national leader he is an acting like a student leader
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Aug 20, 2014 06:21pm
imran khan supposedly is a national leader but sadly he is acting like a students leader
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Aug 22, 2014 10:55am
@Pervez Mahmud they also have no need of old pakistan so they are rising slogans of new pakistan.
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Aug 22, 2014 06:28pm
I think every one has their opinion.But lets not forget Imran Khan has taken a stand on dishonesty in elections.It means effectively..there is corrupt system...against which Imran has been strugling...why and how can any one accept a system whose foundation is on cheating.
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