Imran Khan and his team seem to have gathered and successfully put in practice some lessons of campaigning from other parts of the world.
The use of social media, anti-corruption sloganeering and charging the crowds with popular songs etc, have a specific target and they are not amiss. While the presence of people of all ages and creed in PTI’s rallies so far also reveal the healthy desire for a change across the society. However, this is politics and like everywhere else it requires compromises, which may have taken Imran some years to make an adjustment to.
Then there are people who are disappointed from Imran’s compromises, which range from having accepted same old politicians into his party’s fold and a vague agenda to an overt use of religion. PTI’s slogans are for change but these already tried horses just won’t make the finishing line for anyone who dispassionately analyses the situation and keeps Pakistan’s history in mind.
There may be another view of the situation, however, which warrants if nothing else then a willing suspension of disbelief, for a while at least. First, one should not expect a dispassionate analysis from the youth; so a reason of their eternal hopes and goals are equally met on passionate energy.
Secondly, the issue of corruption is a pulsating nerve for people across this region, and if the ultimate leader of a party is considered somewhat beyond it, then history seems to suggest that a reason for hope may not be all that misplaced at least in this narrow context.
Other considerations are the traditional makeup of the audience which is being addressed and only a slow and gradual pace of change in most societies. Therefore, if the existing houses of power feel challenged and threatened by the breaches within their ranks, and are forced to reform their ways then this slow change may very well be underway. Well, hopefully!
SHAHID SIDDIQI
Dubai, UAE
(II)
With the joining of two big names in politics – Mr Shah Mehmood Qureshi from PPP and Mr Javed Hashmi from the PML(N) – the political balance has shifted towards the PTI. The PPP because of their present failure in providing good governance or relief to the ordinary people and PML(N) due to egoistic attitude of Sharif brothers , should be rightly worried in the upcoming elections.
The friendly opposition of PML(N) to keep the PPP running has led them to being disliked in the eyes of the masses. If Mr Nawaz was not against the PML(Q) (read Chaudhry brothers), he could have made an alliance with them to easily oust the present government two years ago. But that could never materialise and even today it seems to be the main hurdle in the unification of Muslim Leagues.
Our main political leaders have a very impelling desire to become “emperors with a dynasty”. They are trying hard to have their sons carved in as their heir to the throne of Pakistan. I don’t think this desire will materialise due to the current rise of political awareness of the people.
RASHID MAQSOOD
Lahore
(III)
A leader must have these three qualities: honesty and integrity, selfless service and vision, and competence to carry out objectives to achieve goals.
Imran Khan is one of Pakistan’s most well known personalities worldwide. He shot to fame when he led Pakistan to victory in cricket’s most prestigious event, the World Cup in 1992.
He retired from cricket and built a modern cancer hospital in memory of his late mother in Lahore, Pakistan. The hospital became a reality in a few years time and is treating the cancer patients from all over the country.
The hospital is providing top of the line treatment to patients and is not charging any money from the people who cannot afford it. Imran Khan has earned this respect with the honesty and integrity he has shown.
Namal University is another development project being set up by Imran Khan in a remote area of Pakistan to impart quality education to students who cannot afford it. The university is affiliated with prestigious universities in the UK. People now want him to carry on with the good work. Imran Khan is not only a philanthropist but is also a great leader.
Due to his leadership qualities and selfless public service, he has been able to command respect of the young and urban middle class of the country. Imran Khan has impressed us with his vision to make Pakistan a welfare state by providing quality health care and world class education to the deserving people. Imran Khan’s another objective is to provide justice to the downtrodden people who have been denied justice by the feudal class since long. His political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has started galvanising the support to change the rotten system. I feel that if given a chance he will be able to make a difference.
Imran Khan is a highly educated person with schooling from one of the most prestigious institutions in Pakistan Aitchison College, Lahore and Oxford University in UK. His tours to various parts of the country have inspired the downtrodden masses, especially the youth, to bring change.
MUHAMMAD EMAD KHAN
Lahore
