Imran Khan’s unlimited ironies

For the last couple of years, an average Pakistani has witnessed unprecedented politics of protests, agitation, accusations and violence. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has played the primary role in the campaign against the corruption and illegal money-making in Pakistan. In fact, the creation of PTI was aimed to stop and eventually unveil the corruption of Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto.

When the youth of Pakistan browse through the internet and other archives, it becomes evident that Imran Khan was a close friend of Nawaz Sharif and his cancer hospital was actually financed by then PM Nawaz Sharif. Imran Khan always seems to be taking credit for establishing the hospital; nevertheless, the hospital was a result of donations from around the country and abroad. The land for the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital was provided by the Nawaz Administration.

PTI was the first political party that raised voice against VIP-Culture and the expensive cars that political elites were using. But it is quite the irony that from the past couple of years Khan’s very own convoy contains cars that even rich people can’t imagine to own and travel. Generally, a Toyota Land Cruiser which has become a normal car for Imran Khan and his comrades; costs around 12 Million Pakistani Rupees (PKR). Now imagine that these cars and trucks are also equipped with Level-6 ballistics protection and additional bomb-proofing materials. So the price of these cars goes to almost 20 Million PKR normally. The convoy of Khan and his elites are filled with these cars. Especially Jahangir Tareen, who is quite famous for his taste in British Range Rovers, probably owns the largest fleet of these cars in Pakistan.

Imran Khan has always been criticising the Sharif family for their Raiwand residence and has called it as “The Raiwand Palace” on a number of occasions. This allegation would have some moral footings if IK himself would have been living a modest life in a 5 Marla house in some mediocre society anywhere across Pakistan. But instead, Imran Khan owns and maintains “The Fortress of Bani-Gala” which is not accessible to the common people and even for the “Tigers and Tigresses of PTI”.

Imran Khan’s politics is a complete and concise model of ironies. He was seen on trucks chanting slogans in favour of General Musharraf during the Referendum in 2002. His party imported almost every major political figure from PML (N) and PPP. It is above the understanding of common people that an accused and perhaps the worst politician, all of a sudden becomes a noble and pious politician by becoming the member of PTI. The “Dharna Episode” was perhaps a good effort to bring the government to accountability, but that precious moment was ruined amidst DJ Butt’s dance and music party. The effort took the shape of a musical concert that broadcasted nothing but accusations.

Khan himself said a million times that he cannot bring Sharif Brothers to justice by giving an entirely lame excuse that they buy every judge and jury. His politics are merely based upon accusations and allegations. Every charge made by the PTI and Imran Khan was either too weak or ambiguous. The recent petition in Supreme Court by Imran Khan and PTI to disqualify PM Nawaz and its subsequent rejection also reflects their mala-fide intentions. They were not able to prove a single accusation with the help of evidence in the court of law. The growing romance between Imran and Bilawal is perhaps the largest mockery of Imran Khan’s entire political career since Imran Khan was the most vocal critic of B.B, former President Zardari and PPP.

Now the people of Pakistan are sick and tired of Khan’s politics of protests, agitation and violence. PM Nawaz must complete his constitutional term since the people of Pakistan, not Imran Khan elected him to be the head of state. PM is only answerable to the people whom he represents and he must not step down amidst allegations. It will strengthen the political culture of the country and will also reinforce the confidence of the masses in the fragile democratic system. The recent by-elections at NA-63 Jhelum and PP-232 Vihari, undoubtedly and indisputably depict the confidence of the people in PM Nawaz and PML (N).