Imran uses turmoil within MQM to lash out at Altaf
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KARACHI: In what appeared to be an attempt to take advantage of the ongoing crisis within Karachi’s dominant political party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan on Tuesday lambasted Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder Altaf Hussain for his last month’s vitriolic speech, but assured the Urdu-speaking community that he would always stand with them as “being a Mohajir is not an insult”.
The MQM has been in the throes of a serious crisis following the Aug 22 anti-Pakistan speech of Mr Hussain. The Karachi-based leadership had already severed ties with him and has been running the show from here.
Mr Khan, who arrived here on Monday evening, used harsh terms at his party’s Pakistan Zindabad rally at Nishtar Park to describe the MQM’s “reign of terror” in Karachi.
PTI to march towards Raiwand on 24th
The event was held amid high security and with extra measures to protect the women sitting towards the right side of the stage. The usual fervour, which earned the PTI a majority of supporters from Karachi in the 2013 general elections, was missing this time around. It was evident from the half-empty ground.
Patriotic rhetoric and MQM-bashing replaced the usual fervour as one after the other PTI members raised slogans of Long Live Pakistan with Mr Khan, criticising the MQM supremo for “wreaking havoc in Pakistan”.
The PTI chief began his speech at around 10.30pm by criticising Mr Hussain, saying that a citizen of the United Kingdom was wreaking havoc in Pakistan and despite his anti-Pakistan slogans no concrete action had been taken against him.
He said that Mr Hussain “should be the last person to speak about Pakistan being a centre of terrorism, as he has contributed a lot to it by working along with Indian spy agency RAW”.
Referring to a meeting with journalists belonging to the Hindustan Times in 2003, he said that they told him that the MQM supremo was working for the Indian intelligence agency.
Speaking about the murder of slain MQM chairman Azeem Tariq in 1993, he alleged that an insecure Mr Hussain got him murdered as he was far more educated and informed individual.
Assuring the Urdu-speaking community of his support, he said, “Being a Mohajir is not an insult. You are not alone.”
The PTI chief said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif “is accused of a bigger crime and that is of corruption which was revealed through the Panama Papers leaks but the focus shifted from it”.
He announced that he will lead a public march towards Raiwind on Sept 24, adding that PM Sharif has “taken over institutions and needs to be countered”.
Addressing the courts, he said that what other way the PTI should seek to counter corruption, money laundering and tax evasion practised by the Sharif family.
He also congratulated the Pakistan army for “protecting the state against terrorism”.
Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2016
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Sep 07, 2016 09:07am
Well played Imran!
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Sep 07, 2016 09:12am
We all know the history/corruption/terror/mqm, please talk about how your party will change the things in Karachi/Pakistan.
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Sep 07, 2016 09:17am
Though I stand with Khan in his struggle and I am a Karachite but I believe his priority is Punjab not Sindh or Either any other place. The type of pathetic leadership except some has damaged PTI's support in Karachi to a very larger extent compared to 2011-2013.
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Sep 07, 2016 09:19am
Imran has no chance in the world to be anything let alone prime minister.Karachi never liked him.
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Sep 07, 2016 09:27am
Accusations, agitation, threats!
Can he come up with plans and do something to alleviate the sufferings of millions and give hope to countrymen and women.
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Sep 07, 2016 09:33am
Someone is backing him and he still has an agenda .
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Sep 07, 2016 09:36am
So far IK has done nothing so far and IK will do nothing in the future - more of the same empty rhetoric
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Sep 07, 2016 09:36am
The people of Karachi should stand for IK and work out their problems under their platform. This is the only chance for us to be part of the rest of the nation instead of alienating ourselves. PTI needs the support of Karachi and Karachi needs PTI. Karachi and PTI together can do wonders for Pakistan and Karachi will have a very strong voice in shaping the future of Pakistan by being with PTI.
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Sep 07, 2016 09:39am
Very disappointing. There were hardly any people. The crowd was so small that it was evident on Imran's face that he was disappointed. IK should focus on Punjab and Interior Sindh. It is a known fact that Urban Sindh was, is and will always be with MQM.
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Sep 07, 2016 09:43am
Pls share your plan instead of calling everyone corrupt
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Sep 07, 2016 09:49am
@jawaid: your request should be directed at the govt of the day and its primeminister as they are in charge of all the policies and resources.
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Sep 07, 2016 10:03am
So many empty seats. no surprise
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Sep 07, 2016 10:18am
@Denali
Please do some research over what he has done or what he has not.
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Sep 07, 2016 10:36am
It is good politics from IK.
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Sep 07, 2016 10:40am
The street-politics in which Imran is indulging for the last three years is not paying off. If he wants to change the system then he should work within the system to improve it instead of accusing every institution of the country of corruption.
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Sep 07, 2016 10:43am
spot on !!!
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Sep 07, 2016 11:02am
@Yarana Yes karachi can only like Ah ...what an achievement.
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Sep 07, 2016 11:04am
@Denali The keep voting for AH he has done a lot (of damage)....
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Sep 07, 2016 11:06am
Imran Khan is the first leader who spoke about criminal politics of MQM in Karachi and Sindh. Leader should be bold, Imran Khan has this quality. But to win hearts of Urdu speaking and other residents of Karachi Imran Khan needs to give programme of eliminating bhatta and target killing. He has to give programme with facts and figure how he will provide jobs to millions of youths in Karachi, provide water at door steps of residents,clean city and comfortable public transport. He should give time schedule after coming in power. There other problem too to be addressed but the one pointed above are most pressing. PTI should open its offices in every locality to help common people to take their issues to authorities.
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Sep 07, 2016 11:07am
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Perfect suggestion. Agreed.
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Sep 07, 2016 11:27am
@Mumtaz Baig There is no chance for PTI in Karachi. Only Altaf bashing cannot earn votes from Karachites. There should be some concrete plan for resolution of problems and voice should be raised for the high handedness of institutions during operation. The befitting reply from Karachi is evident from the lowest turnout in the gathering.
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Sep 07, 2016 11:53am
To be honest I was at the jalsa last night, as it was near to my home. There were hardly 1000 people there even chairs were not filled completely.
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Sep 07, 2016 12:06pm
IK needs to come to interior Sindh. There are many issues there as well.
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Sep 07, 2016 12:16pm
IK is not using this termoul in mqm, he is showing certain people a mirrior.
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Sep 07, 2016 12:17pm
The PTI Chief will never gain anything from Karachi, he should focus on Punjab only.
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Sep 07, 2016 12:21pm
Poor Jalsi by PTI in Karachi.
No signs of improvement, no light even at the end of tunnel, Sorry Imran sb.
Let MQM the most disciplined, organized part and see the difference from past events or events to come especially if AH addresses.
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Sep 07, 2016 12:24pm
@Akil Akhtar Yes. Karachi will keep voting for AH as he is people's voice. Despite all efforts no corruption charges leveled aginst MQM lagislators. If they were collecting bhattas from common man then why they did not embazzel fund of billions of rupees at their disposal during last thirty years. IK did not utter a word for the bad governess and corruption of PPP with whom he is an alley nowadays.
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Sep 07, 2016 12:25pm
Mr IK, these are not problems of Karachi. Please advise how you will ensure that Karachi will gets it due share of the revenue and taxes it gives to federal and provincial kitty. How will you solve the problems of water mafia? How will you go about cleaning the city? How will you resolve traffic crisis. MQM addresses these issues in its manifesto and actions them when they had real power in Karachi during Mustafa Kamal era. All you do Mr IK is talk talk talk and your rhetorics about Altaf and Nawaz. You have only decided to come to karachi just before 2018 elections like you did in 2013 elections. So please do not fool with 'you are not alone' statements
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Sep 07, 2016 12:34pm
@Umair Wonderful
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Sep 07, 2016 12:41pm
Let PTI work at grass root level first.Secondly IK should visit at least once a month. Only holding meeting is not enough to gain popularity in Karachi.
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Sep 07, 2016 12:42pm
When there is a lot meat on the streets, scavengers appear from all over to get a bite.
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Sep 07, 2016 12:47pm
Imran nice try - but you are not our leader and never will be.
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Sep 07, 2016 12:52pm
People's turnout was very poor if compare to his previous political gatherings. Dwindling support proves he is losing appeal among people very fast because of his miscalculated and useless political adventurisms.
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Sep 07, 2016 01:00pm
Imran khan as a politician has no impressive mind, his deliveries have no strong words, his personality is looks like an "Rock" man, he has no softening attitude towards any one. On the other hand, what he is saying for PML-Nawaz is correct but with unimpressive speech delivery. PTI gathering was jut a fabricated jalsa, no one belongs to PTI except few dozen fashionable ladies. Imran or Sh. Rashid do not know the sentiments of Karachi people or Urdu speaking people. Altaf is in heart and mind of Karachi people. No one or group can change this.
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Sep 07, 2016 01:09pm
@Sahir Khan, no offence, but haven't witnessed any improvement since last 35 years since Mqm was in power. Moreover, things have gone worse. Not a single day has gone without something terrible happening. Why not open our eyes and try something different this time? Maybe that might work?
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Sep 07, 2016 01:12pm
It's Haroon Rasheed's fault who advised him to go to Karachi and do jalsa. He should just listen to his surroundings but make his own decisions after consultations and thinking.
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Sep 07, 2016 01:22pm
Imran Khan and Dr. Qadri are the only true voices left in Pakistan against corruption and injustice.
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Sep 07, 2016 01:38pm
@asif be courageous to hear the truth.
Except Musharraf era, ever mandate has been respected in letter of the spirit.
Be realistic.
Once you gives them key to manage things nicely, 100% sure rest of Pakistan will see difference. Sorry but true and hard to digest the mandate of MQM.
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Sep 07, 2016 02:01pm
Should have also given an electoral agenda for Karachi. The anti -Altaf rhetoric alone won't gather much support as that objective already has been achieved by the rangers.
Now PTI and Imran Khan should talk about Karachi's problems and their plans on how to resolve them.
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Sep 07, 2016 02:03pm
@Mumtaz Baig.KPK has become a haven., isn't it.
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Sep 07, 2016 02:24pm
To all the self-proclaimed analyst above who are advising IK what he needs to do. First cast your vote to PTI, let them win and criticise if they fail to deliver.
By voting MQM and PPP, and blaming PTI for failure in Karachi is just stupidity.
Secondly, don't judge him on the size of his crowd, he is mostly supported by educated class (shareef loug, not sharif family lol) of our society who usually avoid going into such jalsas. But he's the most followed politician on social media and TV.
It doesn't matter if he has 100, 1,000 or 10,000 in his jalsas...... millions watch and listen to him on TV and his media campaign is successful in passing PTI's message to the masses.
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Sep 07, 2016 02:25pm
Same old script of Imran khan..no mention about grievances no demand to give power to Mayor...meeting was total failure
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Sep 07, 2016 02:55pm
@Just wondering kpk vote for Imran, what happened there, things are worst then ever in kpk and follower on social media does not represent the mendate and for your knowledge sir pti gathering used to be biggest of all of the parties yet they could not perform well in election and now due to misbehaving with ladies in pti jalsas most of the ladies are not attending so all the charm of pti gathering has gone and result you can see in picture above.
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Sep 07, 2016 02:57pm
@Yarana you dont represent whole Karachi.
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Sep 07, 2016 03:03pm
@Just wondering
A saner fact I could agree with
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Sep 07, 2016 03:03pm
Why should people of Karachi vote for PTI? Merely critisizing MQM is not enough. Tell people what measures you will take to improve quality of life in Karachi in terms of providing clean drinking water, reliable public transport system and health and educational facilities. Tell them how you will ensure corruption free police and efficient govt machinery. What measures you will take to free the city from all kinds of mafia. Rome was not built in a day no the people expect that kind of speed but they need agenda for change and concrete actions to move on to betterment in Karachi.
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Sep 07, 2016 03:16pm
@Khi-Pak , I can understand where you are coming from, but we should always stand with a person at the top because that is what matters, pathetic leadership does not matter atleast in our country setup, the person at the top is honest to the country and it's people, he deserves a chance, we should stand with him even if we know that he might not win in the absolute terms, it is always better to follow honesty.
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Sep 07, 2016 03:18pm
@Yarana , really and you have the stats to show for the whole city.
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Sep 07, 2016 03:21pm
@M.Jamal , it is a pity that you can see that he is being backed but you can't voice your concern about all those who are being backed internally and externally for decades and have destroyed the country.
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Sep 07, 2016 03:26pm
IK seldom talks about what PTI will do for the people, and how. In case he continues his activities to destabilize the already poor country, his party will lose next election as well. Hope he listens.
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Sep 07, 2016 03:26pm
@Denali , when you are listening to many other empty rhetorics then listen to one more also, what is the big deal, when people don't have the courage to go for a change they will always put the blame of an empty rhetoric on the other person.
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Sep 07, 2016 03:25pm
@ZOHAIB: One can acknowledge the following major events under this government:
1. Peace in Karachi
2. Reduction in terror activities
3. Initiation of CPEC
My point is that if you want to deliver, you need time and efforts to focus on planning and implementing. But if you are on the roads, you would not be having time and focus to accomplish these.
They have KP under their control. They could have done big things; as Modi did in Gujarat and earned trust of people.
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Sep 07, 2016 04:26pm
I lost hope in Imran the day I saw his interview in which he stated that only wealthy should come in politics as they will not do corruption( interview with Nadia khan). A man of such poor vision cannot lead the country.
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Sep 07, 2016 04:29pm
The Mohajirs don't need your support!
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Sep 07, 2016 04:35pm
@ Concerned Pakistani.
Why don't you come out, create a party of PTI's size and prove him wrong than?
He just stated the fact and you got upset with him for stating the truth.
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Sep 07, 2016 04:37pm
@Farouq Omaro.... Mojahirs need a tremendous change of mindset...
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Sep 07, 2016 04:41pm
@Just wondering MQM is the party available with us that sends the common man to parliament. The sad issue is that all other parties consisting of ruling elite have joined hands in propaganda against them hence preventing the message to propagate in other parts of country. Imran is also a new face of the arrogant ruling elite presented with a new label.
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Sep 07, 2016 04:51pm
IMK is known for his position on new provinces everywhere except in Urban Sindh. This speaks in volume of his prejudice and biase he has shown against keachiites since his cricketing days. Also his own party leadership is more fragmented and hostile to each other than any other party in modern days I can remember. He needs to get off the ego horse, and address his party organization before calling names to others.
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Sep 07, 2016 04:57pm
@khanm Why not you change your mind. Collective wisdom of millions cannot be wrong.
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Sep 07, 2016 05:07pm
Imran Khan buddy majority of the people in Karachi will not support you, to them you are not a local. They need a local leader who they can trust. I suggest take some good MQM leaders into your party and also Mustafa Kamal. Make one of them the local leader of PTI and his face should be seen leading the party in Karachi not yours.
Stay at the back and give your full support to these leaders and then people will trust your party.
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Sep 07, 2016 05:19pm
All the educated mohajirs have already left karachi for US UK canada or dubai.
thanks to mqm leadership in karachi for past 2 decades.
Being a mohajir myself i hate mqm for what its done to karachi
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Sep 07, 2016 05:19pm
Urdu speaking community will always vote for MQM with or without Altaf Hussain as a leader. Imran should not waste his time there in Karachi. He should focus to try to bank on Sindhis because they have always been neglected.
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Sep 07, 2016 05:20pm
@Concerned Pakistani.. if you compare the wisdom among the entire population of the world, may be ten percent rules the entire world... may be 10 percent are genius and 20 -30 percent above average and rest are guys like you and me..Pal..with due respect..It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see....
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Sep 07, 2016 05:24pm
He has come to Karachi for face new loss of face and failure. People have deep rooted attachment with MQM and Altaf Hussain is a part of it.
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Sep 07, 2016 05:49pm
only honest leader Pakistan have. it wold be a travesty if he didn't get an opportunity to lead Pakistan. I believe he would change Pakistan fundamentally and that is what scares the existing parties. If he came to powers their position would decline as he would bring a merit based system to empower all Pakistanis and not just the a few.
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Sep 07, 2016 06:03pm
@Concerned Pakistani But people of Karachi must now come out of Altaf era and join the national stream. PTI is the best choice for us. We should join PTI and change Karachi by being with the rest of the nation. We can not separate us any more from the rest of the nation.
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Sep 07, 2016 06:07pm
People and public need to understand one thing about being a leader or a front runner that," they care about their support and do not discriminate regardless of religion, province or language".
If we want new blood and government then we have to bring new people for a change otherwise PML or PPP be back to run the government.
Take a chance to elect new people and new PM. What you have to lose?????
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Sep 07, 2016 06:19pm
just because ik says so coas ,fbr ,nab and all others should give verdict against sharif family!
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Sep 07, 2016 06:20pm
Sign of a good leader is not on cashing in on someone else's misfortune (MQM's misfortune currently) but suggest solutions to the problems currently karachi is facing. Just because PPP on his side that doesn't mean he will let them off the hooks for their corruption all these years.
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Sep 07, 2016 06:26pm
He will never succeed in getting rid of nawaz shareef or getting him answer All 4 question. IK should give nawaz sharif space. He can give him the option of returning the money he took and start fresh . This will solve all the problems
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Sep 07, 2016 06:48pm
@kamran, Mqm had mandate to put their people in all the departments but no mandate to clean the streets, solve electricity issues, solve roads issues etc. They have made a mess of educational institutions and hospitals. You can't start a business without MQM consent. That's the reality my mate. Grow up and stop complaining.
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Sep 07, 2016 07:43pm
Most of our voters are uneducated if not illiterate.
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Sep 07, 2016 07:45pm
Karachi needs to find better alternative than MQM and PTI.
Imran Khan has ego issues and he supported Talibans.
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Sep 07, 2016 07:56pm
@Just wondering: If PTI is the party of educated (in your words) then MQM is the party of educated people of Urban Sindh. These educated didn't show up in the Jalsa of PTI which shows that educated people of Urban Sindh are not with PTI. If the rest of the world is following IK on TV and social media, its good for him. Urban Sindh don't care.
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Sep 07, 2016 07:56pm
@Najam
Najam Bhai, we don't need to find anyone. We know what to do in Karachi.
Stop making false case against MQM and disrespecting its mandate.
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Sep 07, 2016 08:01pm
Talk is cheap. What has he done so far other than protests?
He should have at least try to do a decent job in KP but even that's a disaster for him.
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Sep 07, 2016 08:01pm
People here are suggesting what have we to lose if we give someone new a try...that has to be the most illogical statement ever. Running a country is not like a T20, where you can try with a new opener and hope for a better outcome. This decision will affect millions of people, not just one individual.
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Sep 07, 2016 08:19pm
For all who believe that Karachi is back to normal after operation must realise that the criminals are just disintegrated or went under hibernation as they are waiting for a suitable time to resurface. The ground realities are still not addressed. The disrespect to the mandate, the loot sale of Karachi's resources, and providing no relief to the day to day hardship of locals has not changed. As soon as the operation ends, the things will become worst than ever because before operation everybody was blaming MQM but later there will be no scapegoat.
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Sep 07, 2016 08:33pm
I see a lot of people complain why PTI is not making roads, metros, bridges as done by PMLN, but they dont have the vision to see what is important for societies to progress, they are certainly not roads and bridges but basic health care, education, empowering people in their fields, policing etc...that will bring in prosperity and then these roads and metros can come in automatically as they are required.
I hope some sane people will see IK's vision which is beyond what you see.
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Sep 07, 2016 09:11pm
IK should try to win support in Punjab, the party which rules Punjab rules Pakistan.
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Sep 07, 2016 09:24pm
@Yarana you are completely wrong footed!! The party who had the most votes snatched was PTI. Imran Khan is sincere to wider Pakistan and should be given an opportunity to prove himself.
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Sep 07, 2016 09:34pm
@Yarana and all haters.. KP Police act, Hospital reforms, Educations reforms, BillionTree Tsunami are changes in KP.. If u say, I will give u list of media links about his achievements.. WCup, SKMCH and Namal Uni - no other leader did anything before coming to Politics.. About yesterday, average attendance bcoz of working day
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Sep 07, 2016 11:41pm
@Life
There is no comparison between MQM and PTI. PTI is a national party and MQM is only limited to few pockets where is does politics on hate. PTI can become a treat to MQM in Karachi but MQM can never become a treat to PTI on national level.
I wish MQM belong to an educated class of our society, sorry educated class doesn't get involved in kidnapping, batha khori, China cutting....and the list goes on.
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Sep 08, 2016 03:33am
A leader is one who is just , compassionate and bold.
None of these traits are found in any of the current leaders of Pakistan.
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Sep 08, 2016 06:05pm
@Just wondering That is your hate towards MQM supporters. Nothing else.
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Sep 08, 2016 08:32pm
@Umer
for PTI for sure. That speaks volume.
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