Writer and journalist Fatima Bhutto is not impressed by and still critical of Imran Khan’s tsunami, which seems to have swept away many a veteran politicians and won over some critics as well.
Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival on Sunday, she made it clear that she was never joining Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, reports American newspaper The Wall Street Journal.
Last month, amid myriad announcements from political heavyweights that they were joining the PTI, there were rumours that Bhutto, a fierce critic of the incumbent government and specifically President Asif Ali Zardari, was also considering the move. Bhutto had promptly responded on microblogging website Twitter, saying that was not even a possibility.
“He has an incredible coziness not with the military but with dictatorship,” Bhutto said of Imran.
Bhutto accused Imran of defending the legacy of former dictator General Ziaul Haq, who came to power in the late 1970s after overthrowing former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Fatima’s grandfather and the founder of the country’s ruling Pakistan Peoples Party. She also mentioned Imran’s support for a 2002 referendum allowing former president General Musharraf to extend his term.
That’s not where it ended. In what appeared to be a well-rehearsed argument to debunk the political credibility of the former cricket captain, Bhutto went on to list more reasons why she opposed his political foray.
“As a woman I worry very much about Imran’s politics,” said Bhutto. She spoke of his opposition to amending a 2006 women’s bill in favour of survivors of rape. She also questioned Imran’s commitment to secularism and to defending minorities.
“Is he a saviour? No, I don’t think so,” said Bhutto, during a Pakistan-focused session at the literary festival.
“Well, that’s the end of Imran,” said news anchor Karan Thapar, who moderated the panel.
At the literary festival, where Bhutto shared a stage with Pakistani-American historian Ayesha Jalal, the tone was one of disillusionment with Pakistan’s political class. Bhutto spoke of the “gulf” that exists between the people in power and the rest of the country, saying that food scarcity – not squabbles between institutions – is the bigger worry for most people.
Spokespersons of Imran’s PTI did not respond to emailed requests for comment. Attempts to reach Imran or his spokespersons by phone were also unsuccessful.
COMMENTS (77)
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Imran khan is great leader. He has never accepted any public office at the time of dictatorship.PPPSB has no political base in Pakistan. Khan has become a symbol of change in Pakistan.If she supports imran khan or not , it will not affect PTI as PPP and PMLN has done nothing for the country.
I don't know why ppl are crazy about secularism, we are muslim and we love Islam so there is no point of secularism in Pakistan. IK said what ppl of Pakistan want not what Fatima Bhutto want from him. Love u IK.
It will take her and many like her to consume the message of Imran Khan and his popularity. His credentials are enough to speak for him. He is not perfect but he is sincere and straight forward. He is not Nawaz Jilani and Butto Ayub. He has no feudal lineage and nor his actions support them. He has worked among commoners in cricket, in collecting money for charity programs and politics. It is easy to blame but very difficult to work in community.
If nothing else she has quite a social life. Mr.Clooney was quite a catch. She represents the West with all its entrapment's. I have always failed to understand how the common man falls for such personalities whose own life is a life of luxury and they talk about poverty, inflation, corruption etc. It is good she is not joining the PTI.
@arsalan khan: he said that presently most of the people in Pakistan who claim of being liberal are actually fascist as they supported bombing of villages. correct your self brother.
Even though her background is from Bhutto family, but she seems to be different in her thought process than the other feudrals, I also have doubt's about Imran.
It seems the same analogy as Iran wants America to back it in the Muslim world and once it becomes the Muslim super power, it will attack on other Muslim countries. Iran is not against America, it wants America to back it to be a Muslim super power.
@Junaid Khan: yeah as if Pakistan media would give any exposure to her! think before you speak!
ask yourself in the mirror.. what magic can Imran do to save Pakistan ? Pakistan is never going to win this war..... sad but an ugly truth to live with.
Fatima Bhutto's knowledge is so less that she does not even know that IK has opposed both Hadood laws of General Zia and of Musharraf in 2006..lol and she is commenting on women rights
If you want to come in headlines pass a comment against PTI, media will give you too much coverage.
@ZUBAIR: Thanks for great analysis.
WOW! She really is upset with EVERYONE!!... As if the ppl who passed Hadood Ordinance are giving ALL THE RIGHTS to women of Pakistan!... there are no more rapes, no more honor killing!... Women are living in peace, with no security issues!!
Sorry but all her arguments are weak!!.... I thought she was a smart girl... she disappointed me! She has not read or seen Imran Khan after 2006!... she must do more research!!
Thank you so much, we don't need you in PTI !!
Nobody will take you in PTI ! So......
She is talking about past of Imran Khan, people may change with time as he no longer supports Musharraf, what objections she has against him now?
BEAUTIFULLL @ Salman Ghumman
PTI should answer of those question which are raised by Ms. Bhutto.
She had her shot to become relevent. she declined. Good bye Fatima Bhutto. Back to obscurity you go.
Fatima! Imran is your only and golden chance to alive in politics and save PAKISTAN, plz come out from India and join PTI (wise advise)
one must ask ... who is she anyway? whats her contribution toward Pakistan ..living abroad all of her life what does she know about problems of a common man ..... by having BHUTTO in her name makes her that important to be even discussed ..
Imran vs Zardari. Fatima, your choice obviously is Zardari, your UNCLE.
Dont flatter yourself girl. PTI never sought to Include you, or any of the bhuttos In the party. Its a Corruption free party!
Fatima is a great person but like Bhuttos and their offspring they only have tunnel vision. Imran comes from modest background compared to Bs and has saved more lives and has not stolen a penny from public which none of the Bhutto can claim. Bhutto himself claimed to reform agriculture but he didn't offer even an acre of land to his harries...like all sardars their socialism extended to speeches and dress only. Fatima is not a political person despite having a famous name like Zardaries her family has done nothing for the masses in Sindh and SB (her mother 's party) suffered badly despite Mush support. They have no standing in Sindh. Bhutto still live like Sardars as they always did. Imran is different and self made and he doesn't need any Bhuttos to do what needs to be done. He needs experts not and non fiction writers. I would feel better if he could enlist the support of financial experts like his cousins the Burkies ( SJ Burki etc.) instead of Bhuttos it would do him a lot of good. So who is Fatima B.? She matters little in Pakistani politics she couldn't even get her mom elected from her father 's constituency despite campaigning hard.
i like her...but she's ignorant and living in the past!
Ms Bhutto....pray tell how you have been supporting yourself.... correct me if I am wrong...you still do not have a day job.
Naughty....very naughty.....no wonder you don't want a change!
Well her arguments are valid; unfortunately I might add, for those of us who would like to believe that Imran is a saviour, but cant really believe it.
She has great values like straight forwardness, enlightenment and humbleness. She has capacity to pacify the local misery ridden women in her locality but it is a bit unfair to consider her political weight. Ghinwa offered sparks of an agitated arab lady long ago but soon settled for ground realities and her slow motion politics is only to be taken notice of at times. Fatima has only to be available on the set just in case some actor fails to show up. Otherwise she is a literary peron, outspoken catalyst in a depressed rural society and playing her role of a decent human beig very successfully. Neither she became Tariq Ali to stir the bowl, nor Ghinwa could turn into a Sonia Ghandhi. Fatima's current contempt for Imran Khan indicates frustration of the family, in face of even more marginalization. New political trends will push the family from 4th to 5th position in terms of bargaining power or political opportunism. Still she is a name to quote in apolitical spheres.
Bhutto was on Ayub Khan's Cabinet, so much for being anti-dictatorship when their own lineage begins with the aid from a dictator. I love Fatima Bhutto but this undue criticism of Imran is getting disgusting and often results in Unceremonial spats between people. Can we not talk about something else ?
Who asked you to join PTI? Imran khan should allow those people to the party who are electable.These people just criticise imran khan to increase their political clout.Imran khan has become the heratbeat of every pakistani.
who asked you to join PTI? Imran khan should allow those people to the party who are electable .PPPSB has no political base in pakistan not even in sind province.Today the youth and the poor people of pakistan support PTI because of its agenda and policies.These people just want to increase their politicial clout by criticising imran khan.
Fatima Bhutto who ??? what has she done for Pakistan ... and if being bhutto makes u a leader then what can i say more
She said there is big diffeene in political class n public or voters ohh really but ms Bhutto when was the last time you spent a day with your mazaras ohhh yes they r not educated so not worth spending a day with Right? Typical liberal .... What is our option if not IK?
Its funny that she talks about IK as pro-dictatorship when he has already apologized for 2002 referendum; instead she thinks Bhutto was the only true democratic force...those who have had a chance to work with Bhutto...would agree that he was socialist in words but autocratic elitist in his political style...so the argument of Bhutto being truly anti-dictatorship doesn't hold... As a whole she is a great person and an asset, but I would have to disagree with her version of reality and solutions (which I think she has almost never proposed)
Possibly what Pakistan needs is a civilian dictator or a strong leader, call him what you want. The operative word is 'strong' meaning an honest, hard working person endowed with good common sense capable of saying no when required.
@Salman Ghumman: Well said, thank you!
@Salman Ghumman:
You hit the nail on the head. I couldn't have put it any better.
Fatima Bhutto says she'll not join PTI. It does'nt matter a lot for PTI. But its a great news for Anti-PTI sentiments. Had she joined pti then same people would have been speaking that why PTI accepted her. Same people wud have been saying why a person from bhutto family brought in pti. will bhutto family bring change etc. By the way, its such a great achievement for PTI that people take so much interest in the fact that who is joining pti and who is not. There was a time when it used to be a breaking news that someone has joined a party. But PTI is dominating the people's minds so much that now its also a breaking news that "someone is not joining PTI". In fact I.K has made such a huge impact on each and every aspect of politics that people have forgot every other personalities, they just notice I.K. Imran.. You rock!!
All the PTI supporters have gone crazy :D Relax guys, your leader Khan is going to say "I lost elections because Zardari was president" :D
People are flocking to Imran, but i tell you, Imran lacks the acumen of polciy analysis which i have seen in Fatima, Marvi and Sherry. Thos trio should form an ideological party.
@Junaid Khan , Very well said. @Ch. Allah Daad What question she asked? What she asked is as vague as empty slogan of PPP, 'roti kapra aur makan'.
It is easy to talk while ensconced in cozy environment. It is very difficult to get out and mobilize people against corruption and a bad system . If she wants to be 'do nothing' all talking celebrity, she can do it, no one is stopping her.
The only reason this made news is because Fatima is a Bhutto - Politics is in her blood.
Who cares?
glad to know it...
Miss Fatima Bhutto, picking up odds is quit easy... rather than wasting your time in criticizing please present a good solution for the country, else do not try to play with people's mind. We are mature enough to know that every one has done some thing wrong in the past.
As a cricketer I always liked I K, not as a leader.In my opinion almost all leaders are evil and I K is much lesser an evil.
well i take her side!.........i think of imran the same way !........imran hasn't done alot to satisfy us (sindhis) ............! so be it !
Does this voice has any importance! i have never ever seen this lady in between People of Pakistan then how she can realise the problems of Pakistan, is She really Pakistani!
@Ch. Allah Daad: I understand you did the same as you expected from PTI supporters...no comments about the topics she discussed but PTI
That's Why I love her as an Icon... More than excellent You are ,Fatima!
ROFL@“Well, that’s the end of Imran,” __ anchor Karan Thapar,
nice sense of humour ;p
First of all she appears upset about whole political system. I hope she also condemn her grandfather for supporting a dictator. Infact IK accepted his mistake of supporting Musharraf regime. IK is trying to do something for people of Pakistan. with zaradari around fatima bhutto can only do lip service for Pakistan. May be she is too afraid to come into political business and actually do something.
How can a Bhutto ever find the Humility not to lead a PPP albeit a tiny one....
Her joining or not joining the PTI doesn't make any difference whatsoever. She doesn't speak for masses, and doesn't command popular support either. Imran Khan does, and that's all that matters. Imran Khan is the only way forward, and the most credible person in the country to lead.
Imran Khan is eyeing the PM chair and it is looking very achievable to him right now. I believe he will do anything to get there even if that means allowing some corrupt leaders to join his party, which he has been doing for a while now. I am with you Fatima Bhutto even when it does not matter.
Who sent u the invite?
yes please don't...
We've already had 2 totally distinct policy regimes from your dynasty... don't want to have another one under that name!
Just talking and talking will not help pakistan's problems ms butto we know all these… We need someone who can try to solve the problems and help the nation! And when we look around then that's the face we see whom we can trust… Inshallah he will not let us down!
@arsalan khan Well Aren't they scum ? The remenants of a former Colonial culture who are more close to Americans than they're with their fellow brethren. I am a liberal too but I don't believe that we should kill our civilians to appease ANYONE.
even Imran Khan dont need her...
If IK is guilty of Supporting Dictator in 2002 referendum, than so is public who supported and voted for him and that makes majority of Paki Public guilty so tell us what's the way forward?
@Salman Ghumman: Sir her opinion was very valid. IK did oppose the amendment of 2006 women bill. And lets not go to IK's commitment of protecting the minorities, which amounts to none. He does not have a mandate and is very right wing. These are valid points, I would gladly vote for IK if he addresses these issues but all he does is bad mouth the current government and nawaz sharif which has become a mindless hobby for our entire nation it seems.
She is entitled to her views and maybe she should reflect on the "democracy" prevalent in PPP -SB where her father declared himself as the leader and then after his death the wife takes over not very democratic Ms Bhutto!!!!
So who we support zardari jilani nawaz? i think imran is the of all so my vote is 4 pti…
Incredible coziness with the military? Wasn't your grandfather incredibly cozy with the military running the Foreign Ministry for Field Marshall Ayub Khan for 6 years?
Oh the referendum again! At least it was a democratic exercise, albeit pseudo , it was the first by a military dictator. And it wasn't the sole reason why Musharraf legitimized his power, it was the LFO which Imran vehemently opposed in the national assembly.
Imran was the only politician to have been jailed by Musharraf at the Nov 3 emergency. Why? And there- after Imran was the only politician to ask for publicly hanging for Musharraf on national TV for violation of Article 6.
Women Rights! Lets talk about human rights first. The man has been in the business of saving lives for the past 20 years. The only outspoken critic of the the War on Terror and Military Operations. Talking the talk of western liberal feminists is belittling the argument of Rights and being obtuse of reality altogether.
1st of all, i dont think that PTI has ''offered'' FB to join their ranks. Every one knows fatima supports and votes for her mother's party,ppp-shaheed bhutto group. i agree with fatima's point that imran didnt support women's bill , but she could have cited other reasons like imran's soft approach 2wards taliban as an excuse for opposing him. as far as i know, fatima and her mother also supported Gen.musharaf. ghinwa bhutto is on record saying that ''a president in uniform is not the issue of masses, and fatima herself defended musharaf in her article in a foreign newspaper as she lashed out against mr zardari and sharif 4 their impeachment move against the ex-dictator. lets face the facts ,fatima, one may disagree with imran's political views but he does have a massive youth support with him which unfortunately fatima's party,ppp-sb,lacks. infact, her party is no where on the political landscape of pakistan.
Indeed everyone has their free opinion and are allowed to raise their concerns and opine about how they feel about Imran Khan, his past and the future.
The supporters stand by their choice and in the coming days if Imran Khan is elected to Parliament and is further given the chance to govern, then we all can see how he materializes the promises he is making today.
It must be kept in mind that if Imran fails to deliver, then he shall also face criticism and ridicule at the hands of the supporters who are after all citizens of Pakistan and support him and his party for the welfare of Pakistan alone.
No one has any personal gains with the popularity which the PTI has gained in the recent days, nor anyone shall have any of those if it wins, because at the end of the day it's Pakistan's betterment in question.
If Fatima Bhutto does not want to join Imran Khan, then that is absolutely her choice which she is free to express and keep, but then she must come forward as the head of her party PPP - SB and play her part in bringing the country out of the spoils.
All the leaders who have not yet seen power must join hands NOT in form of party memberships but in the form of calling out for a change we 'the citizens' can believe in. Everyone must come forward under their banners for one cause, for one country, for Pakistan and its development.
Pakistan's needs us all, we must keep aside our personal differences now.
Well Fatima bhutto wrote a book .. n she said the only person who could save Pakistan was her father .. as her father is no more so no one can Pakistan now ... and i think nation know about her father .. so peace ..
If you follow her closely, you would know that she is apolitical. And has made it very clear that she doesnot want to win votes by using her Bhutto Name . It is not a question of joining PTI or not, it is her own personal choice to remain apolitical because she believes Pakistan can win the feud between Dynasty vs Democracy. - So why Continuously criticize PTI at every corner and bend ?
Well... Fatima has the luxury of talking for poor Pakistanis sitting outside Pakistan, especially when in India to the Indian media. ironic!
Good luck Miss FB (Fatima Bhutto), Please do let us know if you have a different formula for the solutions to the present problems in Pakistan?
I would like it if you could say these things in Pakistan to Pakistani media.
Good luck again!
He called pakistani liberals ''scum'' in an interview with an indian channel.did fatima really expect him to be sympathetic to treating women as equals to men,look at the kind of ppl the kaptaan associates himself with,did anyone expect him to care for the non-muslims in our country? his constituency are the rightwing religious fanatics and that is for whom the kaptaan speaks.
I don't understand why her opinion counts. Disillusioned by a troublesome past and still very much living in it , she is absolutely cut off from the reality that is the present Pakistan.
Now PTI supporters would not reply about the questions she raised. They will talk about her dress, hair, Bhutto family and other nonsense.