The holier than thou Imran Khan is still busy infusing a sense of victimhood in our national psyche. Now he is actually calling on the Army to help enforce the Supreme Court’s orders. What’s next? Calling on a military junta to summarily punish all ‘corrupt politicians’? He is still calling himself a democrat. You have got to love free speech. Apart from the obvious good that it facilitates, it makes you appreciate that the ridiculous definitely has its place in life. The PTI website actually claims plans to achieve ‘full literacy in Pakistan in five years’. Don’t laugh. So, Khan calls on the military to take on a more pro-active role and thinks he can divert funds from their coffers? He really should share those plans.
After having sifted through all the hate mail last week, I am ready for more. PTI’s party line seems to be, well, not to have a line but listing all problems. But surely one can question where the solution is? And of course it is a politician’s job to provide a detailed plan. If someone’s idea of a good politician is an individual who promised a hospital and built it (commendable, no doubt) then Lord help us. Governance is different than philanthropy. It actually requires a plan – it involves more than two buildings and a nation-wide tour asking for donations. It involves even more than good intentions and simple honesty. Should Ibrar-ul-Haq form a party and run for office because of the Sahara Trust? Of course, he has the right to run for office. But does philanthropic work mean he actually has a plan for governance? Of course, not.
Khan’s supporters and I may never agree but freedom for our thoughts is essential. In this debate that must be preserved. Pakistan often behaves like an insecure individual lacking the moral courage to engage with questions that go to the core of its existence. We need to start searching for and speaking to its soul if we are to save ours and that of our future generations. Certain fundamental issues remain unaddressed and have caused generations of confusion. These include our patience (or lack thereof) for democratic politics, the place of religion in our constitutional framework, questions of equal citizenship etc. All these issues will involve contentious debates. Now is the time to start having them. And whereas freedom for the thought that we may hate is essential, freedom for the thought that propagates hate must have limits.
In recent months, many leaders of ostensibly banned militant organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan have walked free from the courts of Pakistan. There is no doubt a depressing failure on the part of the prosecutors as well as an apparent reluctance on the part of the judiciary to bring these proponents of sectarian and religious hatred to justice. The executive, particularly in the Punjab, must take greater responsibility too. When the Punjab Law Minister was asked about his links with a banned outfit, his reply was simply that ‘no such outfit exists anymore’. He could not deny his links with the individuals who were previously a part of such banned outfits. And therein is the problem. Simply banning an organisation without any concrete action to deal with individual members is analogous to closing down training camps for suicide bombers and letting the potential bombers roam free. It is not the entity that is the problem. It is what they preach and the agents they recruit. It is the speech and not the banner that matters.
Bans can only be a short-term solution. In order to counter the message of hate we need to adopt a more engagement-oriented framework for dealing with the poison spreading through the veins of this country.
All provinces should take a leaf out of the ANP’s book which is busy framing a law for registering and regulating Madrassahs in the KPK along with their curriculum’s reform. Till now the KPK government has been successful in inspiring confidence of all stakeholders. Numerous consultations have taken place with religious scholars, mainstream educationists and Madrassah teachers to hear all points of view. Unlike Musharraf’s law on Madrassah registration framed behind closed doors, this is the first open debate on the issue in any province. The KPK government is also inviting moderate religious scholars to step forward and join the government’s drive to fight ideas of hate with ideas based on respect for human life.
Others can not only adopt this model but take it a step further by working out a mechanism to ensure that regular summer camps/other platforms bring together kids from regular schools and Madrassahs. This will facilitate dialogue and provide our youth (the privileged/insulated as well as the marginalised factions) a picture of how certain sections of our society think and live. Most important is to know where certain ideas could lead those sections and eventually us.
No longer can we remain disengaged. The essential idea is engagement. When people meet and disagree, a small number always looks for solutions and the sincere among them find those solutions. Let us begin the conversation so at least we realise the problems. It will not happen overnight but neither can our problems be wished away. They are here to stay and that is reason enough to get talking.
The writer is a Barrister and has a special interest in Anti-trust/Competition law. He can be reached at [email protected]
Mir Sahib, if people in power do not obey an institution like the Supreme Court of Pakistan, you lose credibility to ask any other outfit including criminals to stay within legal boundaries. Being legal expert, how can the court, within given constitutional provisions, can implement its decisions when executive refuse to do so?
With reference to your statement that philanthropy is not enough to govern, would you agree that Imran Khan is in politics to prove that fact of life? Now it is challenge for the great personalities like Shahzad Roy, Ibrar-ul-Haq and Eidi to follow the suit to bring change in a country where things are going bad to worse every day. Sitting on the side lines is simply like committing crime at this do or die point.
I respect your view point but kindly offer alternatives before passing degrading remarks against those who have proven record of making us feel proud being Pakistani and not the other way around.
For God sake, this is no time to seek attention for getting good opportunity as an individual, we need to support those who are like common people and they have become our last hope in this hopeless environment. However, if you have a better alternative then say it openly for people to judge your proposal .
Shaz
This doesnt sound hateful. It just sounds ignorant. Cynical & ignorant; especially considering this is this man’s opinion. Have we gone so far down the rabbit hole that we’re willing to push the wrong under right’s blanket and be skeptical of any chances of a better future?
I’m may not be a fan of Imran Khan, but I’m definitely not a fan of this man.
Dear writer; pls choose a more important topic to write about. getting cheap publicity by writing against IK may get your name on the wall but it wont earn you respect. People like me are indebted to IK for standing up and giving us a hope.
Link to last week’s article: http://www.pakistantoday.mbt.pk/2011/07/all-talk/
This guy doesn’t need any publicity if you know him. Criticizing Imran Khan is his right, and that’s what he does. Why don’t you argumentatively and logically break down what he argues, rather than just showing how ignorant of a Pakistani you want to be by shooting in the sky without realizing that there’s no bird in the air. We, first of all, need to learn respect for each other. If you like Imran khan, that’s good, but that doesn’t give you the license to start personally insulting someone who just doesn’t like him. And btw, has Imran khan ever given a solution to all the problems he raised? No? well, he hasn’t if you ever noticed, which makes him like all the other fool politicians that haunt the memories of our people, and still rattle our homes. Imran Khan is nothing but a talking shop.
Are you kidding me? After that last piece this writer sounds more like someone Imran Khan may have picked on during school. Such childish, unwarranted gibberish can only be the musings of someone with a selective ear. Has the writer been absent during the time IK predicted the current state of affairs in Pakistan more than 5 years ago? Has he been high when IK has re-iterated education being the primary empowerment tool towards a better Pakistan. I’d expect PT to have higher standards as a newspaper than to let any Tom, Dick or Harry use to broadcast narrow minded and dumbfounded opinions.
Dear Awais; I am one of the authors of the 100 days plan which PTI developed. Believe me its not what the writer is portraying; we have all the numbers and justifications to bring the “real” change in the country. I really wish if the writer did his full research before commenting. Increasing the education budget two-folds is not a humongous task; currently we spent less than 0.5% of our GDP on education. This amount can be doubled by just bringing in austerity in the governance only. Not increasing the defence budget is also a sign of reducing it. Pls do your homework properly and then try to write an article based on factual things.
Imran Khan announces 100 day plan: http://www.pakistantoday.mbt.pk/2011/07/imran-kha…
At least someone is making sense and is not afraid to criticize Mr. Khan. Very nicely written piece Mr. Mir. Happy writing!
I agree with the writer. I’ve got nothing personal against Imran Khan. But I sincerely believe that he’s light miles behind to lead this country. We’re a desperate country who go for glory hunting. Imran Khan is just capitalising on the daunting affairs of the political setup. In case if he comes to power, he’ll dig his own grave. Because governance and political statements thrown out from sitting on the fence have an ocean of difference. Before portraying himself as the messiah, he should first stop acting like a media clown.
do u aguys have atleaste little bit shame to criticise IK who is the only hope left for pakistan…. I dont understand u guys r pakistan friend or enemy? I m N League voter but i m impressed enough from IK to vote for him…. Wake up guys…. Also tell who is good option from current politicians?
the author and imran khan share the same view atleast with regard to engaging marginalised youth which is prone to joining militant ranks. i think its perfectly all right to disagree with Imran Khan and we all hope that one day we shall have a more enlightened parliament and political culture where this difference of opinion is genuinely respected. however at this point of time, the simple choice that people have to make is between forces which stand for political, economic and social statism on one side and people standing up for change on the other. Imran definitely no matter how imperfectly, represents hope for genuine democracy. imran may not have winning candidates with him from all over pakistan as the present electoral system demands. but we must understand that the present system is being exploited to ensure that people are deprived of more choices. i hope to see a Pakistan in which i may have to chose between the author and imran and that i know will be great day for everyone here
Waqqas for some reason I find it to be my civic duty to comment on your article. I won’t even question your facts or your understanding of political issues, you know them better than most people – what I fail to see is your point.
If your point is that he shouldn’t be elected on the basis of his policies – yes I would agree! However, leaders are never elected on the basis of strong policies and concrete solutions to current problems – they’re elected on the basis of passionate speeches and their aura of like-ability. Do you think the common man in Pakistan has any understanding of foreign policy and economic development issues? Heck even I don’t!
Politicians are salesmen. This is precisely what Imran Khan is doing… giving passionate speeches that we as a people like hearing, simply because he speaks from the heart. I am sure you know Obama won the election due to his eloquent speeches rather than his policies – that’s why it was said “he doesn’t sound like a black man.” Him giving speeches about drone attacks does not necessarily mean that he exclusively thinks about this things – this just gains him popularity, which is justified!
If your point is that he shouldn’t be elected because another candidate is better qualified than him – sure, but where is the other candidate? Heck if I had the option I would want Mr. Manhattan as the next leader of our country but as you know we have a very limited pool. The point of political commentary is usually a comparison between two leaders – who else do you see fit to govern the country?
You spoke about him being a playboy and I would agree I want a playboy to rule the country. If he had the charm and the wits to sleep with the most beautiful women in the world – I am sure he can deal with some old farts working in the bureaucracy. And he actually did go to university! Actually probably the best university in the world! And not to forget that he does have that tiny bit of leadership experience as well. I like him because he feels like an honest person – and given the choice I would have a naïve honest person sitting on the throne than a cunning corrupt one.
Comments are closed.