Is Imran Khan the new choice of agencies (ISI) in Pakistan? Is he the man who will be planted to replace the present democratic set up in Pakistan? The following is a collection of some resources and comments on this topic:

A defender of ISI

Q: Is there any role that the ISI can still play with regards to the Taliban, considering that many people think it played a major role in actually building it?

A: To think that the Pakistani intelligence agency built the Taliban is really over-estimating the abilities of any intelligence agency. The Taliban were a product of the chaos caused by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the bloodshed as they killed 1.3 million people of a population of 15 [million]. After that everyone abandoned Afghanistan in 1989, and then it was taken over by warlords who killed hundreds of thousands of people to get power. From the ashes rose a movement called the Taliban. It is true that Pakistan owned that movement after a while, but Taliban was an indigenous movement that grew in Afghanistan.

As far as the ISI is concerned, I think it was maligned unfairly, I don’t think the ISI is responsible for the mess that is going on… there is a 2500 KM border and about a 100 to a 150 thousand people cross the border every month. If the intelligence can control this, then why is the Taliban blowing up ISI buses and killing military people? If the ISI is patronizing them, it makes no sense.

Q & A with Imran Khan. Asharq Al-Awsat Exclusive. 03/11/2008

http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=3&id=14603

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Imran acknowledges the corrupt role of the ISI in Pakistan’s politics but does not acknowledge his own share in the booty

By Rajiv Dhoot on Fri, 08/08/2008

Washington, Aug 8: Pakistan’s cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has said that the key reason why his country was not able to move out of the shackles of corruption was that the ISI was virtually running the country. He said that the ISI’s political role in the country was such that it even decides the seats (constituencies) for different political parties. [Imran forgot to mention that one such seat was granted to him through the generosity of the ISI in the 2002 elections).

“It has a much larger role…Who runs Pakistan? Is it a small ruling elite, or is it the 160 million people of Pakistan? … The head of the ISI who conducted the 2002 elections, who was actually distributing seats, asked me, and it was simple, if you are on Musharraf’s side, then you get this many seats. So this is the biggest problem preventing Pakistan from moving past corruption,” the Daily Times quoted Khan as saying in a meeting in New York. (ANI)

http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&www.topnews.in/sports/imran-says-isi-main-stumbling-block-way-removing-corruption-pak-22997

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Why did Imran Khan and Jamaat-e-Islam boycott the 2008 elections?

The Pakistani nation should know the real causes behind the decision of PTI and Jamat Islami to boycott this fairest election of Pakistan history. This was understandable moved by both parties leader. This act needs investigation. PTI never succeeded in the past elections. Jamat Islami also lost their mandate. They never had good results in previous elections.

Before the election Nawaz popularity was in his full boom in central Punjab.
They used movement for the restoration of Judges, release of a Chowdary Ifthikar and Abdul Qadeer Khan from the house arrest as trump cards.

One scenario in all these above circumstances Imran and Qazi Hussain was scared to take part in election.

Question is that, Do we need coward leaders like them?

Other speculation is that Imran Khan and Qazi Hussain were not sure that government will last long and parties will lose popularity. This will be the time they will join hand with any new care taker government. And will do politics. This is another dirty approach by both parties…

Last scenario is also very painful. There are strong signs which indicate that both are running by same power behind the screen. Look at the Past history in the start of any Marshal law Jamat Islami supported Army region. It is not secrete How they were close to army dictator Zia-ul-Haq at the time of Afghanistan war against Soviet union. There are strong arguments that Imran Khan is a production of ISI. How did Zia ul Haq take interest in Imran Khan in 1986 and bringing back as a captain? Mr. Zia asked government employee to arrange program to give Tribute to Imran Khan and convinced him to take back his retirement decision. For this program all expenses were paid by GHQ. Famous entertainer Anwar Maqsood had ask to host the program. Imran Khan took back his retirement on Army General’s request. That was the time Imran Khan did not have good records as a Captain. Thanks for Army general who gave Pakistan the best Captain, who led Pakistan to win the world cup. But on other hand him and his party rating is worst in our political system. No doubt cricket and politics are two different games things.

Dawar Naqvi on June 25th, 2008

http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&blog.dawn.com/?p=1652

A ‘favourite’ of General Zia-ul-Haq

Khan retired from international cricket at the end of the World Cup. In 1988, he was asked to return to the captaincy by the President Of Pakistan, General Zia-Ul-Haq, and on 18 January, he announced his decision to rejoin the team.

“Imran Khan”. Overseas Pakistanis Foundation. Retrieved on 2007-11-05.

A brainchild of General Hamid Gul

After his playing career ended in 1992, Khan entered politics under the tutelage of Lt.-Gen. Hamid Gul, the former Pakistani intelligence chief famous for fueling the Taliban’s rise in Afghanistan. (Gul believes that September 11 was a U.S. conspiracy.) Khan, a man who once captained the Oxford University cricket team and was a feature at London’s trendiest places, now turned against the culture he had previously enjoyed.

In 1995 he denounced the West with its “fat women in miniskirts” (presumably the skinny ones in miniskirts Khan had dated were okay) and proclaimed that the “West is falling because of their addiction to sex and obscenity.” He also chastised Pakistanis who looked to the West for ideas, saying “I hate it when our leaders or elite feel that by licking the soles of the feet of foreign countries we will somehow be given aid and we will progress.”

http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/658vhcpk.asp

On page 503 in Charlie Wilson’s War, the author quoted “but it was losing Zia that crushed Charlie. At the state funeral in Islamabad, with a million Pakistanis and Mujahideen crowding up to him, Charlie made his way to Akhtar’s successor, Hamid Gul, and broke into tears. “I have lost my father on this day,” he said.

Charlie Wilson’s War The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History by George Crile.

While everyone continues to remember and protest Imran’s playboy years, noone remembers his tutelage under Hamid Gul, or his strict stance when he first came into power, endorsing the philosophies of the Taliban, particularly in regards to women (In an article he wrote for Dawn, he believes firmly that the woman’s place was inside four walls, barefoot and pregnant). When he continued to fail as a politician, he learned to hide his true feelings, we no longer hear him demanding that corrupt politicians be hanged.

His little affair with Sita White is beside the point. His friendship with Hamid Gul, with the current religious parties and with Naseerullah Babar, however, makes him a piece of garbage.

One of Imran Khan`s key allies when he started with his political plans in the early-mid nineties was General Hameed Gul (ex-director general Inter Services Intelligence). He is the same person who Imran relied on to apply pressure on Edhi–read the book and find out about it at length. Further, it is not true that all PTI candidates are anti-establishment. More recently, Mohsin Ali Khan, the leader of the PTI, NWFP, hails from an old frontier political family and is definitely not anti-establishment.

A supporter of General Musharraf’s coup and referendum

Imran Khan supported General Pervez Musharraf’s military coup in 1999, and also supported a referendum in Pakistan in which Musharraf was elected as the President of the country.

A political flop

A few years after the end of his professional career as a cricketer, Khan entered electoral politics. Since then, his most significant political work has been to oppose the US foreign policy. Khan’s “politics are not taken seriously in Pakistan and at best rated as single column news items in most newspapers.”

As reported and by his own admission, Khan’s most prominent political supporters are women and the youth. His political foray was influenced by Lieutenant General Hamid Gul, the former Pakistani intelligence chief famous for fueling the Taliban’s rise in Afghanistan and for his anti-West viewpoint.

On 25 April 1996, Khan founded his own political party called the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Khan, who contested from 7 districts, and members of his party were universally defeated at the polls in the 1997 general elections. Khan supported General Pervez Musharraf’s military coup in 1999, and also supported a referendum in Pakistan in which Musharraf was elected as the President of the country.

PTI won 0.8% of the popular vote and one out of 272 open seats on the 20 October 2002 legislative elections. Khan, who was elected from the NA-71 constituency of Mianwali, was sworn in as an MP on 16 November.

Once in office, Khan voted in favor of the pro-Taliban Islamist candidate for prime minister in 2002, bypassing Musharraf’s choice.

A religious hypocrite, a supporter of extremism?

“I never drank or smoked, but I used to do my share of partying. In my spiritual evolution there was a block,” he explained to the American Washington Post. As an MP, Khan sometimes voted with a bloc of hard-line religious parties such as the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, whose leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, he supported for prime minister over Musharraf’s candidate in 2002. Rehman is a pro-Taliban cleric who has called for holy war against the United States.

Khan is often dismissed as a political lightweight and a celebrity outsider in Pakistan, where national newspapers also refer to him as a “spoiler politician”. The Political observers say the crowds he draws are attracted by his cricketing celebrity, and the public has been reported to view him as a figure of entertainment rather than a serious political authority. His failure to gain political power or build a national support base is ascribed, by commentators and observers, to Khan’s lack of political maturity and naivete. Newspaper columnist Ayaz Amir told the American Washington Post: “[Khan] doesn’t have that political thing which sets bellies on fire.”

Lancaster, John (2002-11-16). “Pakistan’s parliament sworn, after 3 years”, United Press International. Retrieved on 15 July 2008.

Forsyth, James (2005-05-31). “Khan Artist”, The Weekly Standard. Retrieved on 5 November 2007.

Press Trust Of India (2008-01-21). “Imran Khan, Musharraf bag ‘Hall of Shame’ awards”, Hindustan Times. Retrieved on 15 July 2008.

The Guardian newspaper in England described Khan as a “miserable politician,” observing that, “Khan’s ideas and affiliations since entering politics in 1996 have swerved and skidded like a rickshaw in a rainshower… He preaches democracy one day but gives a vote to reactionary mullahs the next.” The charge constantly raised against Khan is that of hypocrisy and opportunism, including what has been called his life’s “playboy to puritan U-turn.” One of Pakistan’s most respected political commentators, Najam Sethi, stated that, “A lot of the Imran Khan story is about backtracking on a lot of things he said earlier, which is why this doesn’t inspire people.” Khan’s political flip-flops consist of his vocal criticism of President Musharraf after having supported his military takeover in 1999. Similarly, Khan was a critic of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif when Sharif was in power, having said at the time: “Our current prime minister has a fascist mind-set, and members of parliament cannot go against the ruling party. We think that every day he stays in power, the country is sinking more into anarchy.” Yet, he joined forces with Sharif in 2008 against Musharraf. In a column entitled “Will the Real Imran Please Stand Up,” Pakistani columnist Amir Zia quoted one of PTI’s Karachi-based leaders as saying, “Even we are finding it difficult to figure out the real Imran. He dons the shalwar-kameez and preaches desi and religious values while in Pakistan, but transforms himself completely while rubbing shoulders with the elite in Britain and elsewhere in the west.”

Boustany, Nora (1999-09-15). “Ex-Cricket Star Won’t Play Islamabad’s Game”, Washington Post. Retrieved on 15 July 2008

Zia, Amir. “Will the Real Imran Please Stand Up”. Newsline. Retrieved on 2007-11-05.

In 2008, as part of the Hall of Shame awards for 2007, Pakistan’s Newsline magazine gave Khan the “Paris Hilton award for being the most undeserving media darling.” The ‘citation’ for Khan read: “He is the leader of a party that is the proud holder of one National Assembly seat (and) gets media coverage inversely proportional to his political influence.” The Guardian has described the coverage garnered by Khan’s post-retirement activities in England, where he made his name as a cricket star and a night-club regular, as “terrible tosh, with danger attached. It turns a great (and greatly miserable) Third World nation into a gossip-column annex. We may all choke on such frivolity.” After the 2008 general elections, political columnist Azam Khalil addressed Khan, who remains respected as a cricket legend, as one of the “utter failures in Pakistani politics”. Writing in the Frontier Post, Khalil added: “Imran Khan has time and again changed his political course and at present has no political ideology and therefore was not taken seriously by a vast majority of the people.”

Preston, Peter (1996-11-22). “Just imagine it: Imran Khan as Premier”, The Guardian. Retrieved on 5 September 2008.
Khalil, Azam. “Politics of boycott”, Frontier Post. Retrieved on 15 July 2008.

Imran Khan’s team: a collection of ISI agents:

Shirin Mazari, made by ISI, a servant of Musharraf

In the Musharraf era, she was Director General of Institute of Strategic Studies, a research think-tank based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

She joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on 25 November, 2008. After a meeting with the Chairman of the party, Mr.Imran Khan.

Agency sponsored article by shireen mazari-Game Is Over For RAW, CIA & Their Collaborators In Zardari Govt.

This article could be sponsored by a pakistani intelligence agency as shireen mazari is said to be on their pay roll

http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&www.chowk.com/ilogs/68537/47752

Also read:

Shireen Mazari: Jinnah, democracy, shariah and our lies…

Farrhat Taj responds to Shireen Mazari: FATA: some more fantasies

“Lady Taliban” Dr. Shireen Mazari, the latest addition into Imran Khan’s pro-Taliban arsenal….

A specimen of Pakistani intellect – Khurshid Nadeem analyses a recent column by Shireen Mazari

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Haroon-ur-Rashid

Imran Khan’s key spokesman, yellow journalist, Haroon-ur-Rashid, a qasida-khwan of General Zia-ul-Haq, General Hamid Gul, General Akhtar Abdur-Rehman and other criminals of ISI. Has written a book titled Fateh on criminal Geneal Akhtar Abdur-Rehman.

Haroon-ur-Rashid, the undeclared propaganda secretary of Imran Khan…. Shame on you and your leader….

Can Imran Khan be Pakistan’s Obama? Haroon-ur-Rashid, the ex-lover of General Zia, Akhtar Abdul Rehman & Hamid Gul found his lost love in Imran Khan

Haroon-ur-Rashid, a brilliant columnist, a follower of General Zia-ul-Haq and Zia’s son Imran Khan…

 

Dr. Arif Alvi (father of Dr. Awab Alvi of TeethMaestro.com): agent of Jamaat-e-(Ghair) Islami
Secretary General of PTI

In his own words:

Born in Karachi on 29th Aug 1949. I worked in Jamaat Islami for a long 23 years and I was there PA candidate in 1979 (elections were not held). I started talking to Mr Imran Khan before party was made. The reasons for forming a new progressive party was the utter lack of honest leadership around. Absence of vision and honest political will everywhere prompted us to establish a new party. I was one of the few people who helped write the party constitution also. I write occasionally on a good blog which is anchored by Dr Awab Alvi (www.TeethMaestro.com)

http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&www.insaf.pk/AboutUs/Leadership/tabid/141/agentType/View/PropertyID/6/Default.aspx

Some Comments:

Nasir Jamal on June 18th, 2008 9:10 am

Imran Khan is a political non-entity. He has done some good works but I think that he has failed in politics.

It is our electronic media which is trying to make a leader out of him. I think that Imran Khan should first try to win the support of the people of the country.

As far as Zardari is concerned, his corruption is very much there. Merely spending 8 years in jail does not mean that he is an innocent man. Zardari and Benazir Bhutto lead a life which does not match with their income. The have accumulated wealth beyond imagination during their past two stints in the government.

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Saleem Chaudhry on June 17th, 2008 7:31 pm

Imran Khan himself is morally corrupt. He is nothing in front of Asif Zardari who spent eight precious years of his life in prison. Imran himself sided with Pervez Musharraf when it suited him. On one hand he has Western connections and on the other hand he praises terrorists and Talibans. Make up your mind you hypocrite Imran Khan.

As Zardari said in his recent statement that BB did not sacrifice her life to reinstate Iftikhar Chaudhry who everybody knows himself is corrupt and served his master Pervez Musharraf as long it suited him.

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imran tahir on June 22nd, 2008 2:33 am

imran khan is a failed politian and one thing i observed his arrogance and bad language in media as he is growing old he becoming more arrogamnt and rude one thing for sure we have anothar asghar khan.charity begans at home if he want justice to be restore he should do justice with treeann jade (Terry White) too by the way discovry by NS and saifurrehman cortail.

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Razi Ahmed – Washington DC on June 23rd, 2008 9:00 pm

Imran khan himself is a true example of ruling class. He, Javed Burki, Majid Khan and their fmaily has been been rewarded by British rule. He led a life of playboy and now he is trying to give lecture on democracy. He was even unfit during 1992 WC but due to his influence and belonging to the ruling class of this country he managed to be a captain of the team. Though Pakistan lost the first three matches but we graced by sheer luck to win the cup. But the very sentence he utttered during award cermony” My Obsession”. Imran is a true dictator and member of a prveliged class. He is standing with those religious parties who were against the creation of Pakistan and those regional parties who raised “PukhtoonKwahah” and “Pakistan Na Khappan”, – Dr Qadir Magsi and Mahmood Achakzai.

He is a shameless chracter who is exploiting the poor nation deprived by their rights.

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Derek Columbus 11/08/2008 04:06 PM

Imran Khan is a two faced janus who presents his more “moderate” facade to westerners. He is a closet jihadist. Imran Khan is not a terribly intelligent man. He is merely a puppet, the front man for sections in Pakistan’s military apparatus who view the world in terms of believers and Kaffirs. Hamid Gul, is such a person and is very close to Imran Khan. Imran Khan is contriving every distorted justification and rationale for Pakistan’s behaviour. Its not as if we have not heard these arguments before. It is time the world calls Pakistan’s bluff. Stand up to Pakistan’s blackmailing by saying that Pakistan’s agenda and world view is not tenable as it has consequences for world security and stability.

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syed ali raza 11/08/2008 04:01 PM

Charlie Rose should not have invited this individual who garners little or no support out side of his native MIAN-WALI(a city in PUNJAB), he is a joke, his agenda is based on ethnic & sectarian lines, Mr Imran Khan is a whole hearted supporter of Taliban & condones Suicide Bombing, the CJ he is talking about took his oath on provisional constitutional order which was unlawful & unconstitutional by its very definition, & the media he is talking about only came about because of MUSHARAF; when he speaks of democratic forces he should not include himself because his representation is only limited to MIAN-WALI & in some radical circles, he will never say a word againts ISI, because they are his overlords & puppeteers, most comments from Pakistanis on this forum should alarm every one ,they are laced in innuendo since most of them reside in the west they can not openly suggest what they really believe in

Imran Khan’s logic is that please do not bother the tribals no matter how much anarchy they spread,traffic drugs,sell arms,do mass genocide of ethnic/sectarian minorities as in PARACHINAR,harbour terrorists & criminals who commit crimes in major cities of Pakistan,challenge the rule of law,attack civilians.
oh please sharing his ideas : he has no ideas

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Utmankhel1 Says:
January 4th, 2009 at 4:41 am

Why did Imran not answer the question asked by that caller from Swat ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

He does not want to answer the question or he does not know the answer to that question. Because while his rehtorical logic does not have answers to these straight forward questions.

He wants dialogue with whom ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? First he should determine whom to talk with ……… are they legitimate residents of the area or imran wants to talk with Hindus fighting in guise of talibans ? ? ? How many are they and how many they want to have their wells imposed upon ? ? ? ? ? What do you say all the conspiracy theorists ? any PTI official who understands Imran have to answer these questions.

He is comparing Northern Ireland with Swat ? ? ? what a logic ? ? ? ?

What problem does imran has with drones when they killing some fu…g al-libi or al-misri in South Waziristan ……… he definitely does not bother when the same al-libi or al-misri is slaughtering the locals here ………….

The interview was a volleyball match in which the host was throwing the ball just above the net to be smashed by Imran.

“Pakistan needs instituition building and we should not follow Shakhseeat”, but then he comes and stucks at Iftikhar chaudhery……. not a single hard word for talibans ……..a morally corrupt like imran should not talk about corruption at least ………… zardari’s trusted are running the country but then he talks of something about his father being the head of the board of governors of SKH ……..why is that ? ? ?

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Once the judicial system becomes independent, we will trial the whole of JI for sending the inncoents across the borders for jihads ……… pray for dictatorships and anarchy otherwise you will see your Qazi handged in public …………..all the teenagers exploding the bombs have their blood as well as the blood of those they kill on hands of Qazi …………. the biggest criminal of humanity.
and by the way why does not your blood boil when you watch a Bad Kerdaar like Imran talking on TV …………

I am really sorry for personality attacks on Imran but his Criminal Stance on the situation in Pukhtunkhwa boils our blood and I promise I will try to make his life miserable ………. say the truth you fu..g bastard ………..

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Kashif Says:
January 3rd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
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Some body needs to explain Imran Khan that after Benazir there is a political vaccum in Pakistan but its on the left and center left. Nawaz Sharif is still very popular on right and center right. All his rehotric on political issues is targeted to right wing. But unfortunately religious right has Nawaz Sharif and they are very satisfied with him. After Zardari everyone can see Nawaz Sharif will be next PM. For Imran to succeed he needs to target PPP’s vote bank. To do that he needs to come from the left. If he keeps speaking like Qazi and Nawaz Sharif I don’t know how he will develop roots in masses.

Somebody raised here a concern about IK’s security. My friend he is a spokesman of religious right who can possibly target him, may be MQM and that too when they think he is viable political threat. At this point he doesn’t need to waste money on security guards.

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ResidentEvil Says:
January 3rd, 2009 at 7:54 pm
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Why was the desperate plea from Sawat: “Why aren’t the security forces protecting us from the Taliban?” nicely sidelined by Imran Khan and never answered?

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dara Says:
January 4th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
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@ shafi
Qazi voted for JUI because ISI told them to do so.
Imran khan has to come out of Qazi’s influence if he ever wants to establish his political life.Imran Khan is no revolutionary, so he needs to work on his manifesto and team building.If Imran Khan keep his present way of politics he will end up like Asghar Khan who was used by Mullahs and Military time and again.

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Shirkuh Says:
January 4th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
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@dara

“Imran khan has to come out of Qazi’s influence if he ever wants to establish his political life.”

Can you please throw some light on the above statement? In which ways do you think PTI/IK is under the influence of Qazi?
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Utmankhel1 Says:
January 4th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
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shiruk,

in which way he looks different from Qazi, except the Beard offcourse, and that too seems to be comming out in a short while. Imran is a MIXTURE of influences, not a single thing is personal about him.

Any official from PTI here would like to explain what are views of Imran on the role of ISI & Qazi in being part of the jihadi drama in Kashmir and Afghanistan ? ? ? anyone from PTI ? ? ?

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Utmankhel1 Says:
January 4th, 2009 at 5:45 pm

Shiruk,

I definitely am not arguing about Imran, let him come out and talk on issues, let him take decisions and let him face the subsequent response from the public.

He will soon know the response of people of NWFP since he has decided to remain mum on the activities of his beloved islamists .

Once he takes some sort of decision regarding the KBD he will know what the people of sindh think about him.

Let him face the people of Balochistan and he will know how difficult is it to decide which language to use when talking to insurgents.

Pakistan is not restricted to urban punjab only.

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sitaraakhri Says:
January 4th, 2009 at 7:38 pm

very disappointing interview…I mean the host did not ask any tough questions. Ok so you like Imran Khan, but if you invite him for an interview then ask at least a couple of tough questions, otherwise you just undermine your own credibility as a journalist.

A couple of good points made by Kashif, GoTK and Uthmankhel1. In my view, Kashif is absolutely right–the political vacuum is on the left, not the right, where NS is rather acceptable. But Kashif, IK cannot fill the vaccuum on the left because he is too right himself.

As for internal elections, forget about them…for the longest time, Jemima was head of the PTI women’s wing–how democratic is that??

Also, though I agree with IK on the judiciary and some other things, Uthmankhel1 is absolutely right that he does not offer any insight on complicated matters in the North–Swat being a case in point! It is not so easy and simplistic as he makes it sound.

IK just gets a lot of airtime but in reality his party has made little inroads. After more than a decade of politics, his party still stands at only 3% in the recent IRI poll.

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dara Says:
January 4th, 2009 at 9:01 pm

@Shirkuh
Imran Khan has been under Qazi’s influence and that implies under the influence of agencies.
He participated in 2002 elections though they were arranged under establishment’s + agencies (though nothing wrong with that either as long as you oppose dictatorship in Parliament) , but he boycott the 2008 elections when there was even better chances to represent people who wanted a third option.
He directly and indirectly support militants who are active in NWFP and who have imposed laws and system beyond any one’s imagination like No Education for Girls.
He promised to bring Altaf Hussain back ( though it was a joke) with in three months but nothing doing?
He was captured and handed over by Jamtis after humiliation ( i condemn personally) to Musharaf regime, still he is very close to Jamat. He got that opportunity to remain in jail till Nov02 orders were reversed, but he went on hunger strike for his own release( yet another joke).
If Imran Khan was a savior or some one against the status quo he would have been jailed for long time like Zeadari or i must mention Benazir who remained under arrest from 1977 to 1983 in different jails and in her house.
It is very easy to talk against civilian Govts but real commitment show up when people / leaders stand against tyrants like Ayub , Yahya, Zia and Musharf on their peaks.
What guarantee BB had when she struggled against Zia? what happened to Nawaz when Musharaf came into power? though Nawaz was lucky and he compromised on Musharf’s terms to get second life.
Imran Khan has not faced any hostile establishment as yet, and I am sure when ever he will decide to become a true Awami/ people oriented leader the establishment will come out to teach him a lesson.

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sitaraakhri Says:
January 4th, 2009 at 11:36 pm

@ ImranKhanforPM

Are you really suggesting that IK led the lawyers’ movement? If so, I suggest you brush up on your knowledge. IK tagged along. The lawyers’ movement came about as a result of dedicated top lawyers like Aitzaz Ahsan, Munir Malik, Ali Kurd, and so on—most of whom DO NOT support IK politically. How convenient for you to point out all of IK’s successes but none of his failures. Yes, he was successful in cricket; yes, he is successful with Shaukat Khanam (though it is certainly not the best hospital in Asia–again a bit of honesty would do you good). But politically, he has been a failure. In 1997, even a political novice should have known that if he wanted to win, he should have chosen one constituency, but he contested from nine and lost from all!
His political allies were people like Hamid Gul who have landed Pakistan in this terrorism mess. In 2002, he supported Musharraf. Some even say the military orchestrated his victory (though I personally do not buy that). But his voting record is not good–he voted for Fazlur Rehman as PM; voted against the women protection bill, and so on.

@ ali4asat

This is typical of IK supporters–when they don’t have logical arguments they start attacking the others who are making them. I wonder who really has the brain here. I would love to support someone who really has a commitment to anti-imperialism and who has demonstrated it in his or her personal life. Zardari is not that guy, NS is not that guy, Asfandyar is not that guy, Altaf Hussain is not that guy, and guess what?!? Neither is IK that guy….he says all these things about the US but his own children stand there like stupid ring-bearers for the wedding of Camilla’s nephew and think they have accomplished something in life. He is so happy to be photographed by Hello magazine in UK but shows a different face in Pakistan. Maybe you support him because you only see one side to him. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan did so many shows for free to raise charity for Shaukat Khanum, but when he died, IK did not have the decency to attend his funeral. On the other hand, Diana went to Shaukat Khanum once, and when she died, he came running to her funeral. So don’t tell me that he doesn’t suffer from an inferiority complex!

Yes, there are people in Pakistan, lawyers like Ali Kurd and Munir Malik (who are denied visas by the UK), social workers, etc. who are the real hope for Pakistan–it is from them and through a true democratic process that a real leader will one day Insha’Allah emerge for Pakistan–and it will be a team of leaders (like in the lawyers’ movement)–not one celebrity with a dedicated fan club. IK is not my hope and he is not Pakistan’s hope. The people of Pakistan are smarter than you—they don’t see a revolutionary in IK because there are too many hypocrisies there–that is why he stands at 3%.

PPP and PML-N do better because they rely on patronage–if people in Pakistan’s villages vote for them, they then rely on the local nazims, etc. to sort out their thana-katcheri issues, and it works that way…but with the other crises taking record proportions, patronage doesn’t cut it–that’s why PML-Q lost. The next election belongs to PML-N because PPP and ANP are rapidly getting discredited. And if PML-N does not deliver (which is likely) then another revolutionary force could emerge, but that force is not IK’s PTI.

Before you start making allegations—I suggest you read the post properly. I have criticized AZ and NS and others–just because I don’t like them, does not mean I have to like IK. What’s the matter? Your brain cells too small to comprehend that??

…you should watch the Live With Talat where he questioned IK–now that was a real interview (not like this bullshit by this Mr. Malik)—and talat pinned him real good on many of the things I was talking about in my post–the hypocrisy…

I think M Usman and I are being far more objective–giving credit where it’s due and taking it away where its not–you guys are the ones too blinded by your love for IK to see any flaws in him.

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Utmankhel1 Says:
January 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

Shiruk,

While enlisting various militant groups operating in Swat and FATA, you have missed one major group and has erroneously added some commong folks as militants in the list.

The missing group is the one who were waging pakistani wars of strategic depths afghanistan in the 80s and 90s.More specifically, the pass outs of all those 25000 (unofficial) and 8000 (official) training/recruiting camps (madrassas) of FATA which never existed before the afghan war. All sane humans except you and imran believes every single monster that exists in this region is directly linked to (trained, groomed and brainwashed in) these madrassas.
There is an additional bunch of monsters who some believe were escorted from Afghanistan to Waziristan and settled by Pak Military when the american assault started.

Now come to the group of tribesmen whom you have included in the list of militants. Here Imran becomes criminal and so are you. The tribesmen are not militants but are the VICTIMS of militants as are the ordinary people of Swat. MORE THAN 300 tribal elders were mercilessly killed by the militants in targetted killings. The motive was obvious to create power vaccum and fear. No one dare stand in front of militants be they in hundereds as compared to the hundereds of thousands whom they want to subdue. IMRAN IS CRIMINAL BECOZ HE KNOWS ALL THIS AND INTENTIONALLY TWISTS THE FACTS to call the victims of militants as the militants, an equivalent of rubbing salt over wounds. Majority of the tribesmen have been made hostage by the militants thanks to our military.

Why do you want to cover EITHER

—-imran’s inability to answer simple questions which arise when he being blinded by his rhetorical criticism of any sitting govt for cheap popularity on the issue of operation in FATA and Swat. While he was shouting full throttle when Musharraf decided to lauch a half hearted military operation to please his american masters. He is no different now when the ppp/anp govt is trying to wipe out the militants genuinely but are not supported by the all powerfull military.

—–moves according to a given chalked out plan as he’s allegedly been brought to politics by none other than Hamid Gul the X-DG of ISI which orchestrated this whole self-destructing plan of creating monsters for wars of strategic depths.

Have you ever seen him asking question that if american military can kill al-qaeda’s no.3 in SW and many al-libis and al-misris’s why can’t our military do it when our military is better placed to do it for THIS COUNTRY BELONGS TO THEM.

He is expected to make statements stressing the military to deliver against the militants who are killing innocents …………… not to support them.

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Kashif Says:
January 5th, 2009 at 9:36 pm

@sitaraakhri

Thats what my point is IK needs to move to left in order to succeed. I think he is on right bcaz of people around him. We don’t know much about PTI but I am almost certain most of the people around IK are Jammat Islami followers. Thats why Imran speaks there language.

In politics one go to right or left to get to power. Once you are there you will most likely rule from center or u can switch then. By leaning on right IK is loosing his celeberity advantage. There is nothing wrong with right leaning but its just not working for him. He has wasted 15 iireversible years. He needs to take this opportunity (political vaccum on left) or even that will be gone in few years.

Shirkuh Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
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@UthmanKhel

“While enlisting various militant groups operating in Swat and FATA, you have missed one major group and has erroneously added some commong folks as militants in the list.”

Read my post again. I think you read what YOU wanted to read and not what I wrote. I used the term “Participants”. Maybe you should rethink and reply with a more logic answer with NO INTENTIONAL TWISTING next time 🙂

Madrassa: I am not in favour of the outdated madrassas. What is sad is that there are no alternatives. Have any of the previous governments made ANY significant gain in that regard – be it PML-N or PPP?

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Utmankhel1 Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

Yes i read them quite carefully and i will write them in your words again …….. so now …………………….. we have the SOLE PARTICIPANT ISI and it’s share of collaborators THE MILITANTS …….

how many years ….. ACTUALLY …… how many hours do you think have the political govts ruled the country in general and FATA in specific due to its strategic importance at that time …………………… you are not helping army in your posts definitely …………………………..

and don’t just confuse things ………outdated madrassas ………… they were training and recruiting camps built by Army/ISI for their wars ………

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Shirkuh Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

@UthmanKhel1

Be honest and tell me exactly to which post you replied to, and where I have described the majority tribesmen as MILITANTS in that particular post.

The is the usual BS….ie. we were not allowed to XYZ, we did not have any authority, our hands were tied….modalities.

Then for Gods sake don’t accept half solutions! Make sure you people actually RUN the government, when you form your government. Don’t blame it on others when it is you who are incompetent. Be brave and admit your mistakes! Agitate and ensure you have the people of Pakistan on board and don’t get too excited about power(abuse) and other irregularities.

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Utmankhel1 Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
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Shiruk

“We need to reach out the Pakistan loving tribesman and make peaceful deal”

i am replying to it ………. you don’t need to reach to tribesmen but you need to get rid of the militants who are keeping tribesmen hostage

“Each time Pakistan has tried some kind of reconciliation we have seen drone attacks from the side”

what reconciliation ? nothing’s wrong between the tribesmen and pakistan …….. if anything is wrong its between the ordinary tribesmen and the militants ………….

Now it’s another thing if you want to make reconciliation with militants responsible for the slaughtering of tribesmen ………………. which pak army infact is doing ………….

still don’t know what i mean ? ? ? ?

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Utmankhel1 Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Shiruk,

Militants are suffering from drone attacks and not the ordinary tribesmen.

Thats where i differ from you and thats where you are criminal as well as Imran.

Get a list of those killed in drone attacks and tell me which one was an ordinary tribeseman ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Now you know what i mean ? ? ? ? ?

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Kashif Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
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@sitaraakhri

IK was a biggest play boy during his cricketing years.

His family might have some right leanings but then 90% of our families have. That doesn’t mean he has to do politics from right. Look at Yousuf Raza Gillani, Amin Fahim, Shah Mahmood Qureshi they all are from religious families but they are doing politics from left. Imran needs to do the same or otherwise start bashing Nawaz Sharif. When Obama and Hillary Clinton were running against each other they both bashed Bush but that wasn’t enough. Obama had to go all out against Clintons to make in-roads within left leaning democrats. Similarly Zardari bashing is not enough for IK. He needs to start attacking next PM of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif.

At this point IK is so scared of Nawaz Sharif politically he doesn’t even try to run from Lahore (where he was brought up) and Islamabad (where he lives now). Unfortunately same is true about Atizaz Ehsan. He can’t win from Lahore without NS’s support. PM’s biggest qualification is not how eloquent he is on issues. Their biggest assett is how deep their roots are in public. If they are making tough decisions that are not popular within fellow parlimentarians he can go directly to public.

In Pakistan NS and BB had this luxury. They had the political capital to override any discent within their ranks. If not you will get PMs like Gillani, Aziz, ManMohan Singh. IK with all his eloquence about social justice, institution building, infrastructure development would not like to join this dummy PM’s league. He needs to come out of Jamat and PMLN shadow and offer Pakistani people true alternate leadership.

…

IK’s views on was against terror represents far right. He argues that troops should be pulled and gov should talk to militants. Does he know militants want nifaz e shariat. Basically in the name of religion they want power and curb all civil liberties as Taliban did. He critise gov for the way they are conducting operation but he never condems extremists who are not only brutually killing our soldiers and civilians alike but are bulldosing schools and other state institutions. He critise west alot (when he is not in west) he also needs to highlight his differences(if any) from Taliban style militants and their philosphies.

He critise Americans in our region but he doesn’t critise Arabs there. He says war against terror is American war, may be but who is other party. Arab sheikhs are leading the other side. Since it is being fought in Pakistan, Pakistan has no choice but to pick one side. Imran (thanks to Qazi and co.) has picked extreme right and gov is being forced (bcaz of economic and political compulsions) to support American efforts. At this time it is as much as Pakistan’s war as it is of Americans and Arabs. Even though IK proclaims its not ours (to satisfy his extreme right well wishers) we are paying more price of it than both Arabs and Americans.

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supercreature Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 4:17 pm

@Kashif

How many thousand Arabs we are hosting in that area? or Militants. Based on the figures I think they all should be killed till now.

If not do you think more are coming from outside? arabs coming from afghanistan? what is going on? shed a light please

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Kashif Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
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It doesn’t matter they are in thousands or hundreds whatever their number is they are leading this effort both financially and politically. Leaders like OBL and Al Zehwari have political ambitions which are tied to their home lands in Arab pinseula and they are using our land to change political status quo in middle east. In the process they ruined Afghanistan and unfortunately Pakistan is under fire now. People like IK critise only one side (Americans) and don’t talk much about other (Arabs). Either they are dishonest or loyal to one side.

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Shirkuh Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 5:42 pm

@Kashif

We are trapped in sh!t all around. Where do we start the correcting measures? You are right that we can criticize left, right, up and down, but would it be wise to create more enemies/opponents? Don’t we have enough hostile countries?

You are pointing towards lack of criticism of the Arabs. What about we also start criticizing the Chinese for their treatment of the Muslim minority? Where do we stop? We are not a superpower, which can deal with many opponents simultaneously.

In other words: I agree with you in principle, but for the sake of real politics we need to be careful not to create further opponents/enemies. We have enough of them already. That’s why we should concentrate on selected and most critical issues and not start “wars” in all directions.

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Kashif Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

I am glad we are on same as far as identifying the problem. There are not many in Pakistan who thinks Arabs as problem at all. They blame Americans for everything and I think by doing this they are ignoring half of the root cause. I am not saying to criticise Arabs for lack of democracies or Indians or chinese for mistreating minorities. We are no one to identify problems accross the globe. But now that our house is on fire we should criticise Arabs for launching their political battles on our soil using their ptero-dollars and our blood. I don’t agree with your remain silent argument for political expediency. We can’t come out of this crisis unless public perception is changed. Our leadership on right and left should identify major players (Americans and Arabs) at their stakes. IK says the only solution is to pull our troops back and talk to militants, I think by doing this he is clearly siding with religious right. First of all it will never happen, if it does we will be in bigger mess like Afghanistan was after Russians. IK says we were not in this mess prior to 911 he is wrong. The mess started when Rusians attacked Afghanistan three decades ago. Americans exploited our religious sentiments against Russians and now Arabs are doing same against Americans. How long we sustain being puppits of external powers?

The first phase of this war (between Russia and America) was fought in main land Afghanistan and look at it now. Unfortuately the second phase (between Americans and Arabs) is being fought in main land Pakistan. I am afraid we won’t be much different by the time it will be over unless we are able to push both Americans and Arabs out to fight their wars else where on the globe.

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sitaraarkhri says:

@ kashif

I agree with much of what you say. But I don’t know if you have ever had the opportunity to meet IK and talk to him. Having done that, I am convinced that he will never come out on the side of the left, nor will he ever leave the shadow of the Jamaat, etc. I think that is in many ways where his heart is (playboy background notwithstanding). I agree with you that that is what he needs to do to distinguish himself, but that is not how he thinks, so I won’t hold my breath for it. And this is evident also from your very correct analysis on his take on the militant issue–he criticizes America for good reason–I am with him on that–but he will always stop short of criticizing the groups like TTP and the Fazlulahs of the world who want the nifaz of some crazy shariat–even if those groups hurt Pakistan, IK will never speak out against them. And that is where I have a huge issue with them.

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sitaraakhri Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
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@ Shirukh,

What does a short or long span of time have to do with this?? I have seen your response to Kashif, but I am with Kashif on this one.

And reading more from you, I don’t think anybody is saying that we should fight with other nations, or that we don’t share a religion with the Arabs–we do, but Saudi Arabai, for instance played a notoriously bad role in Pakistan by funding various jihadi groups, who as Kashif says, are using our soil. They have done the same thing in Palestine by supporting Fatah and in other parts of the Islamic world as well. By acknowledging these problems and addressing them intelligently, we are in no danger of losing friends in the arab world, in fact, we may even make some. Our policy of appeasing the rich gulf arabs and not bothering with the culturally rich and far more populous arabs of the levant and north africa is not something to be proud of.

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Kashif Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 9:13 pm

@Shirkuh

When I say Arabs I don’t mean their governments. The Arab militants in NWFP and Afghanistam are those who are against their governments. They have a political mission to over throw pro-west regimes in Arab world. They are working towards this mission by launching a war against west. I don’t judge them they can do what ever they want but why are they doing it from Pakistan? This is because we being a muslim nation don’t stand against Arabs as long as they are fighting against Americans. This is wrong they can do what ever they want as long as they don’t do it from Pakistan. And since they are doing it from Pakistan we are the biggest victim of this war between west and non-state Arabs. It is our war we ought to own it to win it. Right wing leaders like IK should stop right wing propoganda that it is not our war.

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Utmankhel1 Says:
January 7th, 2009 at 12:08 am
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Shiruk,

Sorry for being late though i think not much is needed to reply as thanks to Kashif he has been answering all you queries.

And after all of that discussion i did not think you would again tell us that innocents are being killed by americans.

The only good thing about drone attacks by America is that not a single hit has killed an innocent. Keep going back and you will find militants killed in each and every attack and the attacks are getting better and better in precision. The last few attacks have hit the vehicles carrying militants. Alqaeda’s top militants have been hit by american drones constantly.

Regarding those 70 children killed, yes i don’t know what they had been doing in the past but i have no doubt over what they would have been doing right now. Majority of the suicide blasts are done by teenagers. What do you think were those kids doing in that madrassa ? They were recieving military training in that madrassa and pictures of them training in that madrassa were all over the media immediately after the attack. I am sorry for them and consider our army, the mulvis, and bastards arabs for that.

I don’t think you did not know all this but since you like imran has your head in the sand (intentionally or unintentionally), therefore we have our duty to keep you reminding you the truth which is quite irritating.

What do you think will be the reaction of people of Swat if that drone hits fazlullah tomorrow ? ? ? ? ?

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Kashif Says:
January 7th, 2009 at 1:43 am

@Shirkuh

So accoding to you PTI does not oppose war against extremists it is only against mechanism the way it is conducted. PTI and right wingers want two things:

1. Push Americans out of the region
2. Want to talk to militants

Great goals but please tell me how can we achieve them. Americans won’t leave the region until militants agree that they won’t attack Americans and militants won’t commit that until they have the capibility to attack them in other words until they are destroyed. Pakistan doesn’t have political or military resources to convince either side. We have no choice but to fight against militants or Americans. I am sure who ever comes in power will pick the former. We simply don’t have military and economic resources to fight against west and remaining neautral is not an option to begin with

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Kashif Says:

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gditpp Says:
January 15th, 2009

To see three of my favourite personalites Atizaz, Imran and Talat together I was rather excited but this show turned out to a damp squib. If I have to rate the three by their performance today I would do it in this order: Talat, Atezaz, Imran.

Imran has been looking out for an issue to identify with all through his political carrier. In 90s he was yelling hoarse about corruption of the politicians and it later turned out that he unwittingly had played in the hands of intelligence agencies who were doing it at the behest of GHQ to malign the politicians so as to prepare ground for the future miltary take over. Later expecting good from Mush was another of his blunder which was only to be surpassed by another one when he chose to vote for Fazlu as PM. Now he is trying to appear as the one and the only, asli tay waDa, supporter for the restoration of Justice Chaudry.

Every time he feels the urge of jumping up and down on the issue of NRO he must remember that he himself had offered an NRO to BB and Zardari.

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Read the following op-eds by Abbas Ather:

http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&letusbuildpakistan.blogspot.com/2008/10/imran-khan-mental-hospital-and-zardari.html

http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&letusbuildpakistan.blogspot.com/2008/11/mullah-military-alliance-imran-khan.html

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Kashif Says:
January 15th, 2009

People supported CJ but it was more like ‘bugh ze Maviah’ (Issues with Maviah/Mushraaf) than ‘Hub e Ali’ (Love for Ali/CJ). Our issues are much more serious than who is CJ of Pakistan. And if AA/IK are selling the idea that restoring him should be our top priority then there focus is narrow they can’t see or may be they don’t want to see broader horizon. I am not against his restoration but for heaven’s sake that’s not our top priority. CJ doesn’t run the show in any country. We are going thru worst law and order turmoil since east Pakistan debacle. The writ of the state is challenged by militants.

To make things worse IK is standing by militants and is projecting Judicary as the biggest crisis. Both AA and IK get much more air time than their political weight. They can barely win their seats, AA even can’t do that w/o Nawaz Sharif’s support. At this point country should be united to combat the real threat of extremism like it happens in US, India, Britian etc. There is a common enemy that is opposed by every major political entity in the time of crisis. But in Pak people like IK and Qazi are standing by that enemy.

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Also read:

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Appendix

Shireen Mazari – Profile

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