ABBOTABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan criticised President Zardari’s visit to India in the wake of the tragedy afflicted on Pakistan army in Siachin.
Addressing a public gathering at College Ground on Sunday where some 20,000 to 25,000 people were in attendance, Imran said: “The nation will not forgive leaders who have no respect for the nation and its institutions, and who do not know how to stand by the state in trying times.”
Assuring the public of PTI’s devotion to prosperity, Khan said that his party would follow the Turkish model of development once it comes into power.
Levelling criticism against the West, Khan said PTI would part ways with the American sponsored war on terrorism “which was being fought for dollars.”
He added that the tribal people were ‘brothers’ and that negotiations should be held to resolve issues rather than engaging in conflicts. However, he chose to remain vague while referring to ‘tribal people’ and did not name any particular group.
Lauding the youth for their support for PTI, Khan said his party would elect its leadership from ordinary citizens instead of rewarding people with names and “suffixes of Bhutto and Sharif.”
Khan reiterated his support for the local government system and said his party plans to introduce a strong local bodies system to empower the people at the grass root level with effective accountability.
In response to pro-Hazara slogans, Khan said his party was in the favour of small administrative units as that was the need of the hour.
A stampede started following a bomb hoax during Javed Hashmi’s speech. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Ali Asghar Khan, Dr Azhar and Asif Zubair Sheikh also spoke at the gathering.
According to some locals, this was the largest political gathering held in Abbottabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2012.
COMMENTS (66)
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IK may end up with foot in the mouth problem. My understanding is after amending the constitution now Gilani is the boss for army and he is the one suppose to take charge of rescue mission not Zaradri. Ah but it is hard to resist fifteen minutes of fame.
@MarkH: Can you please advise what he could do here?? Please think twice before writing anything foolish on such public forums. Its very easy to criticize the others I believe you didn't even pray for those soldiers even once.
Levelling criticism against the West, Khan said PTI would part ways with the American sponsored war on terrorism “which was being fought for dollars
That's not a criticism against the WEST! it is a criticism against the American war-of-terror! There is more to WEST (and America) than the immoral wars!
@Khan:
Power? what power? In power he might never be; but than how does it prevent him to be with families of the victims and show sympathies and solidarity.
@Akhtar Malik , Unfortunatly interpretation of Qaran and its terms have been different by different people and so you and me are not exception . But for your query I must say that i am talking about that jehadi mentality which has created the present condition in Pakistan . It is that jehad which permit non state acters to use arms and explosives even in other countries . PTI should know that better means only leads to better end .
First tell me why Imran khan has not moved to sakrdu or siachen to personally see the rescue operation?
i think imran khan is just playing politics.. all politicians are just as useless all talk no walk.. just making everyone emotional fools ..
@Nasir, @Ahmed, @Mirza: Well said!
Imran shoulld not play politics on indo-pak relations. We need to normalize them realistically and that's what imran himself wants to do. So Imran should avoid being difficult on this key matter.
If the tribal people are our brother's why have they been responsible for killing more Pakistani civilians and Army jawaans then the Americans? - The fact is they are murderers and not my brother but obviously yours!
Mr. Imran, What Good Are you doing for Siachen tragedy by being in Pakistan ? what do you expect Zardari to do ? Take a showel and start digging out soldier himself ? Not that I am fan of Zardari, but this sentence reflects cheap politics.
@akram: correction was! and Mumbai not Bombay.
From last two years, IK is habitual of criticizing politicians like other parties. It is OK if he expose at certain level but always saying on trivial issues for gaining people influence is stupidity. Also, he has been defensive on arguments rather than realistic like other politicians. Just think, what would president do with this avalanche incident? Is is president or rescue team leader? Better focus on action plan rather being Jalsa hero.
@Dr.A.K.Tewari:
I am astonished to read your comments about PTI and Imran Khan. You seem to be a well educated person but unfortunately you have failed to comprehend the PTI policies. By the way what do you mean by Jihadi mentality? If Jihad is a struggle against injustice, exploitation, corruption and for the sake of defense of Pakistan then every patriotic Pakistani will love to become a Jihadi. Imran Khan has never supported terrorism and has the ability to steer this country out of this so-called war on terror which has devastated us.
To all the posters above justifying Zardari's visit on one pretext or the other, should first realize that Zardari is the President of Pakistan and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. His "personal" visit to a shrine in India should not have gotten preference over this tragedy on which we should already have seen at least one statement from him (haven't seen any yet). Something's are symbolic especially when you are at the highest office in government. It is exactly how Zardari ran off to inspect his French Chateau when the country was going through the worst floods of its history. Criticism was justified at that time, and so is it now.
And if you expect Imran to do so much, then please vote for him next time and then expect him to do everything that all our politicians have failed to do over the years :) He started his speech at Abottabad with mention of the soldiers and there was a special one-minute silence for the same, even while the entire media of the country and Zardari were busy in the purposeless India visit...
When more than a hundred lives are at stake the faithful should go to the holy places and pray not hold politcal events to get mileage out of it. The manstream Muslims traditionally go to holy places and mosques and pray for a miracle to happen. Let us hope and pray that the troops are still alive, amen. Please stop making political hay out of every religious pilgrimage and every tradegy.
Its just as well some "VIP"s are out of country. Otherwise they would engage helicopters for their useless joyrides to the area, whereas helicopters are needed to participate in rescue efforts.
so what?
Imran Khan comments on Zardari , visit to india in the time of tragedy faced to the Pak army is absolutely correct..because Zardari ,s visit was totally private and related to Ziyarat . It is not first time this happened in presen regime . Abbott Abad attack by U S army was not hide from common man where ppp and muslim leaque (Q) were sharing ministries among each others in the time of turmoil. so this is not a new thing for this government. Because this is Awami Hukumat.
@Baby ka Husband: you don't even know when did he say this but made an opinion:P should I trust your other accusations?
@Uza Syed: C'mon he's not in power as yet or the help would have been the first priority..
Irman khan´s strength lies with the ordinary youth of this country escpecially in punjab and khyber pakhtunkhwa, he does not need any media coverage, the cat is already out of the bag, now media blackout cannot stop his tsunami.
Really ET, that is BFE ( bad faith estimate). It was much bigger than that. Shame on whole electronic media for not covering while it was too busy discussing biryani served to Zardari.
Its was a shameful act by media that they didn't air Imran Khan jalsa at Abbottabad.
PTI is worst than other existing national parties in Pakistan . The patty has extended suport to jehadee mentality that has spoiled the country . For the sake of political power it has opted to follow a low grade pilitics and not hesitating to politicise the national tragedy . There are so many instances that clearly reveals the fact that PTI is not fit to govern the country .
its more then 50000 people but ET is PMLN tribune so we can aspect bias news from them.
@True Face of Pakistan: he did talk about GB in this jalsa and web site u ignorant garbage of ppp.
IK you are now like a broken record. We know the others are all rubbish but tell us what you plan to do instead of repeating real and imaginary faults in others. Something contructive please for a change or just stay quiet!
Imran Zindabad
@waqar: Some people have to criticise Imran and pti just for the sake of criticisem.
Please be honest. Isn't this what Imran and PTI are and have been doing all along against the government and opposition. Just look at this news item, and check the substance of what Imran has said.
@ishaq: "@Mard-e- Haq…..Is Khan holding any executive position to do anything for the rescue of Siachin affectees??If he goes there , wouldnt it be the exploitation of a disaster for political gains?? Is his visit can rescue the affectees??"
By the same logic, the President does not hold any executive position, and must not go there. His presence and protocol will hinder the rescue efforts. Besides the COAS also hasn't visited the site yet. He visited some snow-less hilltop, miles and miles from the actual glacier. And what was the point?
After hearing some of the comments all i want to say is haters will always be haters.. i am sure some commenting dont even know where siachen is. Siachen is not a city district or a village where you can can just walk in to help. i think it is better to admit that this government has failed rather criticizing imran khan blindly. Criticism on valid points is fair but doing an empty rhetoric of hate is unfair. Do note the positive things he talks about
All of the under-privileged or middle class families beloved soldiers who are buried under the avalanche in Siachin sector. I wonder why only those poor families beloved one are being exploited, whom unfortunately don't have any references to protect them-selves from that swear conditions. is it not that called paradox?
All of u
imran is not a leader he is zero in the filed of politic he have no plan to run a country
imran is nothing.........................
Dawood Ibrahim is from bombay so evacuate it now!!!@ashok:
Imran Khan would have shown affinity with the families of the servicemen and civilians by using the platform of the meeting (Jalsa- 20000, 25000, 50000, or even i lac ?) to start a fund for the affected victims.
The trouble is that IK is an opportunist and readily criticizes every one else when he is on the crest of his so called TSUNAMI.
Zardari's visit to Siachen must have saved lives of all the soldiers buried under the Avalanche.
and what is that Turkish development model? He has no clue what it is, but it forms a good sound byte just like tsunami corruption et al. so he blurts it out. What will he now say about Dr. Chisti? The one who was just granted bail by the Indian SC? If nothing had happened he would have been on Zardari's case for that too. If this visit helps open the dialogue again, and does indeed bring Manmohan Singh to Pakistan, as has been indicated, then it was worth it, but of course IK is the ONLY pakistani who can do any good. the rest 180 million or so are just idiots or corrupt, so no use appreciating their actions.
And what great did IK did for people struck near Siachen ? He is becoming like other politicians, always criticizing for sake of it. President's meeting was scheduled many days in advance and world cannot come to a stand still for what happened in Siachen, other soldiers were already working on it. Did IK personally visit Siachen or their relative or he maintained his speeches.
If somebody want to see Jalsa pics, go to below link.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150669743404527&set=a.10150651394394527.390056.151626539526&type=3&theater
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150651394394527.390056.151626539526&type=3
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150669744719527&set=a.10150651394394527.390056.151626539526&type=3&theater
Further, Jahangir Tareen having conference today in Islamabad with media persons where he will disclose PTI rural local government system which PTI will implement as soo come to power.
Imran is envious of what Zardari extracted from India visit, especially when his visit was supported by media and a large number of TV commentators.
Imran Sahib, please stop point scoring on national tradegy of Siachen.
Non coverage from media cannot alter the TRUTH. And the TRUTH is that CHANGE IS NOT COMING CHANGE HAS COME PTI will Inshalla sweep the elections. The nation stands with you Imran Khan
@MarkH: PTI is not sitting in the Government. You cannot question a minions responsibilities.
Some people have to criticise Imran and pti just for the sake of criticisem. If there id any body else in politics better than him the change would have come by now.infact Imran and his party are the only who can do it,as honesty is the best policy.
Excuse me "Tribune", may I say you that you are a biased newspaper? U referring that there were around 20,000 to 25,000 people gatherings, ohh my God this is biggest bluff :P I am the witness of Jalsa place, there were not more than 5000 people. Come on :P
IK has forgot the massacre of GB people, and he should know that soldiers suffered at Siachen belongs to NLI regiment, which also hails from GB.....His tsunami doesnot know about GB...becoz Tsunami's are meant for coastal areas, Mountains will not get effect, so since day first, he never talks about GB and its political deprivation.
Its nothing bad to start friend ties with India and other neighbors, at least friend ties will help to de-militarize forces from Siachen.......
Only True leadership like Imran Khan can save and rebuild Pakistan.
@Mard-e- Haq.....Is Khan holding any executive position to do anything for the rescue of Siachin affectees??If he goes there , wouldnt it be the exploitation of a disaster for political gains?? Is his visit can rescue the affectees??
Why there was no coverege from media?
What has PTI done for the Siachen efforts? Doing nothing is doing nothing no matter where you are.
"Lauding the youth for their support for PTI, Khan said his party would elect its leadership from ordinary citizens instead of rewarding people with names and “suffixes of Bhutto and Sharif."
This is the most important thing he said and differentiates PTI from all other parties in the government.
Abottabad
Oh so close to Osama!
Since 1999 when he initially supported Musharraf's dictatorship, and until 2011 when he was adopted by the ISI, Imran Khan himself has been a Greek tragedy in Pakistan politics.
Like a one-man army or a general without an army.
Zardari has a knack (or misfortune) of persisting with such trips in the wake of major domestic tragedies. He has harshly criticized for European excursion during last floods but fails to learn a lesson.
Did this happen in another country?? Coz I could swear there was not one minute of coverage on the local media channels
Why didn't Kaptaan Khan visit Siachen himself? Holding a political jalsa while the Pakistani army is frantically trying to seek any survivors seems like indifference to me.
A politician's promise is a consolation to a fool's heart
great khan
not according to some locals, yes it was the largest gathering in Abotabad...but look at the media coverage...are they responsible for big cities only???? who will cover small cities issue/politics
I don't understand why media always try to show the numbers low for PTI Jalsas?
The number of participants were clearly more than 50,000 even without any media coverage. Some of the newspapers didn't even mention about this historic jalsa in today's newspapers.
Totally agree with these bottom lines :)
"According to some locals, this was the largest political gathering held in Abbottabad."
This comes across as being a little funny. IK should tell what he expects Zardari to do and set an example by doing the same himself. After all, lack of constitutional power shouldn't come in the way of shouldering responsibility.
IK would do well to remember Gandhi's words, "Be the change you wish to see in the world"
IK you need to put some umph! in your rallies. Speaking on 4th day of Siachen Tragedy and after the Prez with his family has returned from the Delhi junket, its too late to make these halfhearted suggestions. You need to be proactive as a leader leading your followers and nation. Not become a second guessing leader who follows others. I am a great fan of yours but lately your PTI leaders, especially Javed Hashmi (on MehranGate and Haif Saeed') have made me unsure of the strange bedfellows you now have. You better correct this before the election, otherwise this Tsunami is going overwhelm you. Politics is all Timing. Your engine is miss-timing right now.
not 25000 more than lac
Tsunami sweep hazara wonderful