With each passing day, more and more people who were ministers in Musharraf’s government and were PML(Q) members are joining the PTI. The others are those who were defeated in the previous election and are hoping that the that the Imran ‘tsunami’ will help them to win seats in the next election. Imran is welcoming everybody and telling his young and long time associates and dedicated workers that PTI is an ocean having the capacity to accommodate all and that PTI is not an exclusive club.
The question then is that how is change possible with those who don’t have any political principles and are only interested to be a part of government to enjoy the spoil of power. Going again his own rhetoric, Imran Khan is forgetting that politicians now joining him are opportunist who have already been tested by the people.
With exception of a few, most of them are supporters and associates of the establishment. They will not allow Imran Khan to change the status quo because they are born into families which assures them access to the corridors of power by birthright. They have party tickets because they have the requisite money to spend in the elections to buy a win.
Imran promised that he will ask for heavyweight politicians to declare their assets. He should also ask them what public service have they done in their constituency and how they have used the development funds which they received from the government to spend in their constituency. Imran should learn a lesson from Zulfikar Ali Bhuto who was the beloved leader of millions of people. He promised the people roti, kapra aur makaan and the people trusted him. But then he allowed feudal lords and opportunists to join the PPP.
S T HUSSAIN
Lahore