You fool me once shame on you, you fool me twice, shame on me but here a great leader like Imran Khan has been fooled again and again by the corrupt political elite of Pakistan with a weapon of choice “a corrupt political system”.
Once a main leader for restoration of “Pakistan Judiciary Movement”, he became fool when the movement was hijacked by Mian Nawaz Sharif at Shahdara Chowk, Lahore. Nawaz Sharif was later hailed as the hero by the nation when near Jhelum PPP government agreed to reinstate former CJP and his judicial gang.
He was fooled again, trusting Pakistani judiciary would provide “free and fair election” in 2013 to the people of Pakistan. He later called election 2013 as most rigged election in the history of Pakistan. He was so furious that he called the election “a shameless act of Pakistani judiciary”. His dream to be a prime minister of Pakistan was snatched away from him when he was fooled to accept so called independent election commission of Pakistan. Feeling ashamed for his party’s failure to win majority against PML-N, he announced to bring people on the street and demanded recount. Later he backed off and now he is mute.
On the issue of Pakistani Taliban, Imran Khan got himself labeled as Taliban Khan, Zaliman Khan but he didn’t change his stance on Taliban. Right or wrong stance is a separate discussion but he presented himself as the true voice of Taliban not only to the Pakistani nation but the West and especially the United States. He wanted PTI to be Sinn Fein of Taliban to negotiate a peace deal with government but Taliban always denied him. He offered Taliban office in KPK and for years remained TTP’s unofficial spokesmen but Taliban always considered him part of the same “infidel democratic system”, though thanked for the offer.
After posting a Taliban label on himself and accepting political liability for having softer corner for terrorists, now once again, he is fooled. Closest to Imran Khan heart, Taliban peace talks are once again hijacked by Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of the country. What Imran wanted from years, “negotiations with Taliban”, is happening in front of his eyes which he or PTI can’t claim any credit. Smartly, PM Nawaz Sharif has formed a government committee to directly negotiate so called “peace deal” with Taliban. One more time, Nawaz made Imran a “Mamoo” by having a breakfast at his residence and taking him in confidence that PLM-N government will achieve peace. Once again, Nawaz is a hero and Imran stands again at Zero.
These days when you see Imran Khan on the TV, he has a looser look evident on his face. As his mind is not accepting defeat, he keeps making meritless statements such as negotiations have proven a split between Taliban groups. Untrue, Taliban have no split and are more organized under their Ameer unlike Pakistani political parties. If he is referring to Ahrar-ul-Hind, a Taliban splinter group, he is wrong again because it’s been reported that F8 hit was authorized by four Taliban groups. Taliban are united and there are ‘no groups’ who have claimed disassociation with Taliban since the start of the government dialogue.
Imran Khan looks clueless about the negotiations, when he states that Taliban just have one demand, Pakistan should disassociate itself from American War. Untrue, all the demands that are put forth by Taliban have no mention of any such demand. Even Taliban know that Afghan war is over and American are leaving so disassociation is automatic and a matter of few months. Unknown to Imran Khan, TTP has only demanded 300 noncombatants, 700 combatants, free area or green-zone to move, prisoner exchange and enforcement of Sharia in their areas.
Imran Khan, as a elected member of Parliament forgets to acknowledge that few thousand terrorists can’t dictate the foreign policy of a nuclear nation of 180 million. It’s the job of the legislatures like himself and the government of Pakistan to come out with a foreign policy, truly reflecting the will of the people and represent national interests.
Adding to Imran Khan’s confusion and frustration are the internal affairs of PTI which are running out of control. Top PTI leadership fights over party controls and can’t handle their respective party roles let alone if given a national role. Alarming also is a drop in overseas support and with next elections 4 plus years away. Future premiership of Pakistan is looking murky to him.
It will be sad to see such a legend, a hero, pride of the nation, a great leader and a social worker standing on the wrong side of the history in politics. Where he should have been a vocalist for 70,000 victims of terror, he voiced the concerns of the terrorists and where he should have taken a lead to get 2013 election void, he stood muted to support shame democracy.
In my view, his close political pundits have misguided him in believing that if street power is used, military will take over derailing the political system. The false doctrine to save democracy, PTI should except the election results itself, undermining Imran Khan’s own demonstrated leadership abilities to unite people. He should not forget that PTI holds most popular vote in Pakistan and if any, PTI will be the beneficiary of any such adventurism by military so as Imran Khan he should stand for what is right. That what makes Imran Khan, “Great Khan”.
My advice, take a vacation to London, reassess and revisit policies based on demographics and then reform the party once you come back. If PM Nawaz Sharif-backed-by Saudi regime succeeds to bring 20 percent improvement in current Pakistan, I see a great grandson Sharif running Pakistan with no PTI in the picture.
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