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Tribune Take: Asset war, just another tool for campaigning
PTI and PML-N spat over assets is just another shallow attempt to bring in the votes, says Gibran Peshimam.
In today’s episode of the Tribune Take we take a look at the latest political spat between Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) over the deceleration of personal assets.
Gibran Peshimam, News Editor – The Express Tribune, explains that PTI chairman Imran Khan’s insistence, especially with PML- N leaders to declare their assets, can be chalked up as a simple campaigning tactic.
Peshimam says the discourse is shallow, with neither party having any intentions on making real policy change in the process through which assets are declared. He also adds that it is interesting how President Zardari has been left out of this debate and the PTI’s focus is mainly on the PML-N.
Follow Gibran Peshimam on Twitter.
Read Gibran Peshimam’s articles here.
The Tribune Take daily news web show will appear on the tribune.com.pk home page.
The Take will feature in-depth interviews and analysis with editors and reporters who are covering the major stories, exploring front page events and major ledes. The news analysis covers the way The Express Tribune examines a story, how we cover it and why.
Read more:
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Reader Comments (36)
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lol !
news or paid election campaign being run by express tribune ?
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Never appreciate the good initiative
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If this is just another tool for camping then can you answer that why this tool has not been used in Pakistani politics for the last 64 years..why never PPP or PML N raised this in there election campaign before and why they never made include it in there manifesto..so please grow your journalism skills more to see little deep in the issues..This issue is only raised by Imran khan as both the other parties are same and as Ik said chor chor ka ihtesab nahi ker saktaa..
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“Tribune take” is wrong. This is not a campaigning tool… This is the heart of the problem with Pakistani politics. Unless we make sure that assets of our government officials before and after coming into power remain the same or don’t dramatically increase, pakistani politics will remain to be a “profit-making” venture for them, and we will never be able to clean up politics from these vultures.
Assets need to be declared transparently by all politicians, otherwise we will continue to have wives of Prime minister spending 800,000 pounds in Harrods, buying three truck loads as personal shopping.Recommend
The reason why Zardari and PPP are left out is because they aren’t even contenders. No one is going to vote for PPP, so its pretty much pointless to waste time on them now. The aim is to prevent Zardari’s partner Nawaz Sharif from gaining power.Recommend
Sometimes readers make more sense than journalists.
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A gaddi nasheen is PTI’s senior vice president; can the fans now drop that self righteous tone
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Great summary — Imran’s debate is all about the fact that Nawaz is not a good representative because he has more money than Imran. If he were serious about reform, he would be talking about the source of the money rather than the actual amount. But of course he can’t do that, because that would expose a lot of skeletons in the closet for his party members.
When it comes to sources — Imran only talks about the sources of foreign remittances alone. It is hypocritical to do that without also revealing the sources of the foreign funding for PTI — he should set an example if he wants to move beyond posturing.
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Worldwide, best governance practices advise that assets be declared by the political leadership vying for office. Why shouldn’t worldwide best practices be owned by the people/leadership of Pakistan?
You mislead in implying that Imran is making issue with the size of Nawaz Sharif’s wealth – (OR for that matter – Imran Khan has never argued he is poorer than Nawaz and thus is a more legitimate candidate). What Imran does claim is that his own wealth is legitimate and Nawaz Sharifs wealth has been achieved through illegal means (he has pointed out the holes in their tax returns/asset declaration – and will probably leave it to the voter to decide).
Maybe “declaration of assets” is being used as campaigning tool by Imran Khan – nonetheless – I feel it is a good precedence to set. Assets/wealth of those who want to lead us should always be available and be open to debate so that the people of pakistan have a decent gauge to establish the credibility of those amongst us seeking political office.
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This isn’t the first time Imran brought this up, this issue has been on his agenda since the beginning of his political career. It’s just gaining momentum and is also the voice of the people. That makes it one of the most relevant issues this country is facing.Sad to see banana journalism like this taking front page at Tribune.Recommend
Wonder why in pakistan no one appreciate the good initiative and instead they look it by completely negative perspective … this is a core of pakistans problem by not declairing assets and making millions and not showing it and ik dont just target pml n he targets ppp too he always say both they rulling parties and infact he says everyone should !! so dont know why this journalist was writing everything outa context !! dont know whether someone would agree or not express tribune have been very bias with anything to do with PTI or Imran Khan !!
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PML-N and PTI both have been friends with JI and are rightwing parties. There is not much to differentiate the two parties in terms of ideology and programs. The only differnece is Imran Khan who has not been tried before. They are fighting for the same turf and only one of them would be standing after the next elections. If one takes out one man from PTI there is no difference in PTI of today and King’s party a few years ago. One likes to see what are their plans and policies? How would they find resources from the budget for their plans? It is very easy to talk abstract and general but we need hard facts and numbers. How would their budget be any different (spent) than current budget?
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@fahad:
you are dreaming.
yor;ur’s, imran fan club’s and pml-n’s “cheap” and “bazaari” language against PPP will force voters to vote for PPP.
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@Adeel Ahmed:
my dear innocent fun, your contributions to PTI are more then this lota SMQ.
Can you ask your “hero” why SMQ is voice chairman of pti within 24 hours joining party?
Mr. Naeem was fighting for pti since last 15 years but within a day mr. Binder become president of gujranwala.
It is easy to do criticism of others and it is hard follow own principals.
try to look at your leader and his action atleast once before making “big” statements.
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Imran Khan also needs to clarify if he had acquired British Nationality during the period he remained married with Jemima Khan (Goldsmith).
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This is not a political tool. This is to prevent future corruption and to increase revenue for govt. expenses… please wake up. How much longer shall we remain beggars. Give credit where it is due..
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@Anti-Truth:
The answer to why he’s in such a position after just joining is simple. It was probably one of his demands in the negotiations. He probably could have gotten whatever he wanted, and did. It’s doubtful it was even primarily about the man’s qualifications soon after he came out as some kind of free agent. It quickly turned into just not wanting to lose to PML-N in the public eye.
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ET plz apriciate if somebody is setting a good trend in pakistani politics. Thumbs up to mr. khan for taking a bold step.Recommend
when it comes to IMRAN KHAN its called campaigning!!! what a joke
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he hasnt acquired British Nationality m ali sidduiqi
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@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui:
@Ali:
he doesnt
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@Anti-Truth & @Mark-H:
We can investigate the issue of Mr. Naeem-ul-Haq, but for SMQ, following was published in an ET article on 12/05 regarding IK asset declaration:
“Imran’s declarations came after a meeting of the PTI’s core committee, which also nominated Qureshi as the party’s vice chairman.”
Now people can have issue with SMQ’s appointment if it was wholly based on IK’s own decision, but the whole party agreed on this one,which is the democratic way and should address your concern.
Peace.
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IK’s demonstration seems to be engraved in everyone’s mind. Just cant let go :D
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@fahad:
Complete Agree!
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@fahad:
Completley Agree!
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The biggest reason the PML N and PPP do not take legal actions against each other when it comes to corruption is that they are both as guilty as the other. They might have initiated legal actions against each other but never go for the kill. Because they just use it as a black mailing tool. So here we have some one who is willing to present himself for accountability first so that he will have the moral standing then to demand the same from these corrupt to the core ‘leaders’. I am not a PTI member but I fully appreciate its step to declare assets and demand the same from others. Great beginning. This is no gimmicks or tricks. It is good and clean politics.
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It is most definitely campaigning. Nawaz Sharif is not the only one with undeclared assets, but he is IK’s biggest rival in the elections due to his stronghold in Punjab. Why is it that we don’t see IK asking Zardari or any other politician to declare their assets? Why the obsession with the Sharifs?
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News editor remarks shows his mental incapability to assess the pros and cons for politics. Didn’t he hear IK saying that “all” politicians should reveal their real assets? Mr Gibran should resign from his postRecommend
tribune also appears to be with the status quo i mean why is there merely and election campaign why can’t we set the moral standards for our politicans to declare thier true assets before contesting an election.
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The majority of commentators are correct here.
Imran is a true leader for Pakistanis.
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Just Making Fool To the Nation. He Got money from his Wife on the Time of Separation amazing !!!! as per laws of UK half of the money should given to Jamima Khan at the Time of Divorce . with showing Two Papers to Media is not enough, He must should announce from where he got money to buy the Flat in London, Why Imran Khan Did not Filed Tax Returns from 1979 to 2002.
Why he has announced Shah Mahmood as Vice President of PTI in the Presence of Those People who have been with him from last 15 Years.. What Kind of Revolution he will bring??? Just Making Fool to the Nation For PMship.Recommend
@Anti-Truth:
You obviously take your name very seriously… “Anti-Truth”… sounds about right.
Anyways… I have answered a similar question… pls read that comment.
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@ Anti Truth: Please dont mislead people here. Mr. Omer Mayer started PTI work few years ago and even today he is the Top person in Sialkot although there has been addition of alot of old big guns of politics and alot of new faces with alot more money so please keep your Anti Truth policy to yourself.
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Asset war, just another tool for campaigning ……………….
…………………………………….. whatever its a good step.
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@Irfan…unless you are really out to pull off a drama…answers to your question regarding his transactions (if any) with Jemima Khan can be found on her recent tweeter comments…if you really want to know the truth…go to the source rather than hearing it second or third hand…
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@Falcon: I Respect Your Comments , Appointment of SMQ as VP PTI is Just Like Others Parties Appointments, Every Party holds Election within Parties for Positions !!! When We Idealize PTI than there Must Be Something Different than Other Parties… PTI Major Slogan was “CHANGE”. I was Very Happy that At last we have Found a Party which is Different From Other Parties .. and I was a Big Fan of IK. But When I saw the Same Kind of Mess in PTI I Got annoyed . If See with unbiased Eyes There is Not a single Change!!! It is Same Typical Politics Of Hypocrisy. Same Lotas , Same Fake Degree Holders Same Land Mafia People are Coming in PTI. I Belong to Rawalpindi, IK’s First Choice here was Jazzi Khan who is well Known here as Gambling Businessman and Wine Producer. And Now Recently Qadussi has Joined, Everyone Knows Him well, he was Ex. Advisor to CM Punjab in Q League Govt. There are Dozens of Same Examples in Other Parts of Country.
So Dear I can’t Keep My Eyes Closed. And Concluded that There is No Change at all !!!
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