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Waiting for Imran: PTI supporters beat the heat, sit the day out
Highlight of the evening was Ali Azmat’s performance of Jazba Junoon.
Supporters turn out in a show of solidarity with the Tehreek-e-Insaf protesting against drone strikes and American involvement in the region. PHOTO: NEFER SEHGAL/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
As Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf supporter Zohair Toru’s famous phrase “garmi mein kharab” made its rounds on Twitter, Imran Khan supporters braved the sweltering Karachi heat on Saturday when they gathered at the Native Jetty bridge to protest drone strikes.
Brushing aside rumours of road blocks and traffic jams, residents said that the KESC protesters had caused more traffic problems earlier this week than the security measures for the sit-in.
Amongst heavy security, barbed wires and separate entrances for the awaam, the press and ‘Defence walay’ — as pointed out by an enthusiastic organiser – around 6,000 PTI supporters gathered at the sit-in venue, some brandishing green and red party flags and others carrying colourful posters calling for an end to drone strikes and the US support in Pakistan.
Standing with these supporters was a visibly cheerful Fauzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who came out with members of her party — the Aafia Movement — and said that Imran had personally told her to come “because Aafia’s imprisonment was the first drone attack against Pakistan”.
Fauzia was not the only one in high spirits as Imran Khan songs blared along with ‘Jazba Junoon’ and some Vital Signs hits. “I was called to the Peshawar dharna and I am in Karachi now because Imran especially requested it,” said Lahore-based DJ Butt proudly. An organiser’s voice booming through the speakers was drowned out by screams of “stop yelling and turn up the music!” – Butt’s journey to the city was not in vain.
Overall, the protest was well-organised. Female party members in shalwar kameez and sneakers stood at the entrances and body-searched attendees for arms and explosives. There were chairs for the women, media people and other party chiefs. Water and tea were distributed among people who had been there since noon.
Imran did not, however, arrive until 10 pm but his absence did not deter his supporters’ enthusiasm. Abdullah, an elderly labourer and former Pakistan Peoples Party supporter, said he had stood behind the barbed wires waiting for Imran to speak. A madrassah student, Wali Mohammad, said he was going to vote for Imran Khan in the coming elections as he supported his stance against the drones that killed civilians in the tribal areas.
As soon as Imran Khan arrived, the area resonated with applause and cheers. The PTI song was played and everyone sang, “Khyber se Karachi tak aik hee nara, aik hee naam, Imran Khan, Imran Khan.” He came on stage and raised both his arms. The crowd followed suit.
The highlight of the night was Ali Azmat’s performance of Jazba Junoon. The crowd roared and applauded, PTI flags were raised and waved in sync with the beat, and people seemed to forget all about the anger that had built up waiting for Imran’s arrival.
Other people at the ‘party’
Members of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Samiul Haq faction expressed solidarity with Imran Khan and echoed his sentiments about drones. “This protest is not just for PTI,” said Mufti Mohammad Osman Yar Khan. “It is for Pakistan’s sovereignty.”
Commenting on the Abbottabad raid that killed Osama bin Laden, Mufti Khan was critical of the US government’s approach, saying that “Shaheed Bin Laden deserved a fair trial” and his killing was against America’s self-proclaimed principles of fairness.
A supporter of the Aafia Movement said he supported Imran but thought the Abbottabad raid was a hoax. “There is no such thing as Osama bin Laden,” he said confidently. “What 9/11? It was all just a Jewish conspiracy.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2011.
More pictures from the sit-in can be seen here.
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The last para is priceless!Recommend
The winds of change have begun. Recommend
Correct your figures. Cursory glances at the footage coming out of the event indicate a 20,000+ sized crowd that is massive for a 2 day dharna in a place as lawless as KarachiRecommend
Good move, keep it up guys.Recommend
Imran Khan is a sincere political leader and needs support for getting out of American cluthes. We stand behind Imran Khan . I would vote for him. Request all politicians to shun min or differences and join for the national cause
Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan as as othjer rightist paties shall have dialogue and join hands to get rid of the ruling junta. Peoples party has disappointed the mases by its policies………pro American..rather American only. They have given and added problems for the masses. They country is facing problems which are not being solved by this inefficient government. It seems that ZARDARI group is revenging from the people of Pakistan for supporting Mohtrama Benazir Shaheed.
rid reid of this ruling juntaRecommend
I thought he was banned from sindh?Recommend
https://insaf.pk/Media/Videos/tabid/62/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6506/Karachi-Dharna-Video-updates.aspxRecommend
jihad is the only solution.Recommend
One word of advice for Pakistani writers: short sentences.Recommend
But otherwise, loved it. Like the details about the sneakers! Creative non-fiction, baby.Recommend
“shaheed” Bin Laden.
9/11 a Jewish conspiracy.
Imran Khan, Pied Piper of idiots. Recommend
@Ali Hasan:
I suppose you consider him to be your leader then?Recommend
@MAD
Yes. Because I totally believe in the massive HinJew conspiracy against Pakistan. Also, I believe the Taliban are misunderstood teddy bears. Recommend
I haven’t used my voting right even once since i got it.
But i am seriously thinking i should, and i should use it for Imran Khan.
If i do go to vote it would be because i believe in this guy and that he’s better then all the other political leaders that we have.Recommend
@ Ali Hasan, just like you voiced your opinion, others voiced theirs if they think that OBL was a conspiracy its their right to belive and say it, maybe they would think you are the real idiot!!!!
So learn to accept and tolerate for that is what you except from others but arent willing to give to others. Peace!!!!!!Recommend
Atika, two slight corrections Imran arrived at exactly 8 PM, and the crowd was actually around 20 K plus you had to arrive at the II Chundrigar road entrance to see how many people were there and how many were trying to get in. But thanks for covering the event.Recommend
Winds of Change are blowing. At least Imran and PTI showed that they do what they claim unlike other parties.
My Vote is for Imran Khan
https://www.facebook.com/PrimeMinisterImranKhanRecommend
My Vote is for Imran Khan
He showed that he is there for the Pakistan’s causeRecommend
I have been in Tehreek-e-Insaaf as a very close and senior member.. there is no hope for this part at all….other than imran khan, no one is sincere at all. Especially the lahore president Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed who is 100% corrupt.Recommend
Flop Dharna Mubarak ho.Recommend
I think your figures are wrong.. i was there last night and miniumum 15k to 20k people were there especially when imran khan was speaking.. total inflow was atleast 50k to 60k but at any given time there were max 20k people there.. 6k is totally off the mark !!Recommend
The Dharna i not about being HIT or FLOP at least those guys stood up for something which we all keyboard goats cannot. Sitting in front of the computer and commenting is an easy job.
And please respect others point of view, many of us start criticizing others comments the moment they are posted, that’s called the lack of tolerance.Recommend
imran khan zinda bad.Recommend
There’s no such thing as a blood-less revolution and only a revolution can bring a guy like Imran Khan to the higher seat. American puppets are easily purchased and thats why they are given turns to rule the country. Shareef brothers are no different than Zardari, pocketing all what they can in the time of their presidency. They may not be all in for America but they bleed Saudi blood and guess who runs the government in Saudi Arab? That’s right, its America. I really hope that in my lifetime I get to see Imran Khan as the president of Pakistan. May Allah help the people of Pakistan by ridding from corrupt politicians, army and whoever else that has the ability to make/break things which relate to Pakistan.Recommend
You need to correct a few things in your post. I was there since 5 pm, and Imran Khan arrived at 8pm, plus there were no screams for “stop yelling and turn up the music!”.
thanksRecommend
“Shaheed” Bin Laden? Shaheed my foot! He was a terrorist and deserved what he got! The title of Shaheed is for our soldiers who die while protecting our country!Recommend
I think Imran khan is the only hope left and the only one who can lead the beleaguered pakistanis from this massive crisis.This Dharna or protest is just to portray we are as a nation oppose the drone strikes and the sovereignty breach,secondly unleash the dual standards of the rulers.I will always stand by anyone who supports for pakistan’s interests rather than securing points in the masters notebook.
Pray for all the nationalists and imran Khan
CheersRecommend
Membership foam PTIRecommend
This is such a badly written article. Not only does it feel like a jibe at PTI, it also fails to address the importance of a gathering like this in the wake of horrific terror threats from our resident snakes who now rank Pakistan before America as the target of choice. This doesn’t look like an article written by a professional newspaper with a web blog but a web blog run separately by amateurs. I’m not a massive supporter of PTI but what imran is doing deserves massive pride and respect than an article purporting to present facts which start off citing a YouTube humour spot titled zohair toru. Give me a freaking break.Recommend
i like imran’s view
” Ub Nahi tu Kub?”
“Hum Nahi tu Kon?”Recommend
I was there for the more time than any could be… I am sure, there were 15 to 20 thousands or more participants on Sunday between 6 to 8 pm.. obviously, both days IK spoke in the later part of the night and some participants left and preferred to see their leader on TV screens.
Overall, I believe more than 50 Thousands people turned up during the entire two days.
People from all walk of life and from all areas of the city were present. More importantly, all came against DRONE ATTACKS… Let me tell you… the matter of drones is not as saleable as Inflation, unemployment and Electricity Failure… Every citizen does not associate to the Drones… Therefore, this was really a successful event. I further believe, IK did good to stand against this Govt. and announcing a movement “HUKUMAT HATAO, PAKISTAN BACHAO” … This is the High time. IK and PTI must, first of all, go to the Locals for mobilizing the masses before moving towards ISB. They better start a two months MASS AWARENESS PROGRAM against current Govt. Let the Public opinion gets stronger against current political setup.Recommend
Frankly, if this dharna was to really mean anything then why wasnt the sit-in in front of the American Counsulate, dhurna against those actually doing it, rather than a main city bridge and blocking the logistics of a lot more people. Also, Imran Khan is one of those pakistanis whose opinion, while it may not be taken seriously, is respected in general by international media. So then, when he is interviewed on CNN, why doesnt he talk about the drone strikes then?
hmmm i sense $$$$Recommend