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Is Imran Khan really pro-Taliban? - 13 Oct 2012
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Shame on you, Mr Khan
Shame on Imran Khan for not condemning TTP who think women are inferior, challenge our sovereignty, kill Pakistanis.
The writer is a partner at Bhandari, Naqvi & Riaz and an advocate of the Supreme Court. He can be reached on Twitter @laalshah. The views presented in the article above are not those of his firm
Two days after Malala Yousufzai was attacked by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Imran Khan went to the hospital in which she was being treated to show his concern regarding her condition. And yet, when asked a day earlier why he didn’t directly condemn the TTP, Mr Khan had responded as follows:
‘We have local affiliates and supporters. Sure I can give big statements against the Taliban but that would make them [supporters] Taliban targets.”
Shame on you, Mr Khan.
Since you have chosen to present yourself as a potential leader of this country, let me make something clear to you: leaders can’t be cowards. And for you to make that statement while also purporting to sympathise with a girl injured precisely because she stood up for principles that you don’t have the courage to defend is not just cowardice but hypocrisy of the highest order.
Let me break down my last statement. Malala Yousufzai was attacked by the TTP because she stood up for things like the right of girls to a fair education. You have condemned that attack. That means you think Malala was right and her attackers were wrong. At the same time, you refuse to display the same bravery as Malala by openly condemning her attackers.
What does it say about you, Mr Khan, that a 14-year-old girl has more guts than you do? Had she been awake, what would you have said to her? Would you have told her not to be so stupid next time? Would you have told her to just accept the TTP’s belief that women are inferior? Would you have told her that Pakistan needs more cowards, not people like her?
Shame on you, Mr Khan.
Since Mr Khan dropped his clanger, the sentient part of the PTI has attempted to cloak his cowardice with a lot of doubletalk about drones, the war in Afghanistan and the root causes of evil. None of that suffices to excuse Mr Khan’s cowardice.
Let’s begin with drones. So far as I understand it, his argument is that the root cause of the evil is the US war in Afghanistan and that militants like the TTP are driven into acts of hatred by the violence unleashed by the US and now perpetuated through drone attacks.
This is bullshit of a high order.
The fundamental fact that Mr Khan and his cohorts either fail or deliberately refuse to appreciate is that the TTP and the Afghan Talibs are two very different groups.
The Afghan Talibs consist of groups indigenous to Afghanistan whose primary aim is to overthrow the US’s supported government of Afghanistan and to take over power in Afghanistan. Afghan Talibs have a beef with the state of Pakistan only to the extent that the state of Pakistan helps the US in fighting those Talibs. Many of the leaders of the Afghan Talibs have taken up residence in Fata and Balochistan, just across the Pak-Afghan border. It is these leaders in Fata who have been targeted by the US through drone attacks. If the US was to leave Afghanistan tomorrow and if the Afghan Talibs were to retake power in Afghanistan, the Afghan Talibs would have no fundamental dispute with Pakistan.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan consists of groups indigenous to Pakistan whose primary aim is to overthrow the elected government of Pakistan and to take over power in Pakistan. The TTP does not accept the legitimacy of the Pakistani state. The TTP attacks the citizens of Pakistan through suicide bombs and kills Pakistani soldiers. Even if the US leaves Afghanistan tomorrow and even if the Afghan Talibs take over Kabul, the TTP will continue to fight in Pakistan, continue to kill Pakistani soldiers and continue to attack people like Malala Yousufzai. Conflating the TTP with the Afghan Talibs into one giant amorphous mass is not just stupid, it’s criminally stupid. It is at the same order of analysis as “two legs good, four legs bad.”
The distinction between the two groups is in fact made more evident by drone attacks. The state of Pakistan does not have drones and therefore does not use drones to fight the TTP. The US does have drones and it does use them to attack the Afghan Talibs but with a few very limited exceptions such as Baitullah Mehsud, there have been no drone attacks against the TTP. Trying to justify the TTP’s actions with reference to drones is therefore idiotic. One may as well justify the TTP with reference to poverty in Swaziland or Pakistan’s failure to win a World Cup match against India.
Please note that distinguishing between the TTP and the Afghan Talibs is not the same as saying that drone attacks are justified: that is an entirely different debate. It probably does not behove the sovereign state of Pakistan to meekly accept the invasion of its airspace by the US. But even if Pakistan should be aggressively acting against drones, that has nothing to do with the challenge to Pakistan’s sovereignty by the TTP. And if you, Mr Khan, cannot understand that logic, then you are unfit to lead this country.
Let me make another thing clear: Mr Khan says that it is a tragedy for Pakistan to be bombing its own people. Actually, no.
States use violence against their own citizens their whole time. A citizen who steals is jailed for theft. A citizen who kills another person is executed for murder. And citizens who take up arms against their own country are guilty of treason and thereby liable to be shot.
The same goes for the “root cause” argument. Frankly, I couldn’t care less what inspires or motivates the TTP. I know that the TTP doesn’t accept the legitimacy of my country or my elected government. I know that they kill my fellow citizens. I know that they kill the soldiers who fight for my security. I don’t need to know the “root cause” of the TTP’s beliefs any more than I need to know about the childhood traumas of a psychopath threatening my family.
Pakistan doesn’t need cowards, Mr Khan. Shame on you for adding to their number.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2012.
Reader Comments (266)
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Another IK bashing artickes- hallmark of Express Tribune, home of the (fake) Liberals.
Everyone except IK in power but the problem lies with PTI. Bravo, my psuedo-intellectuals & enjoy the attention you get here- thank again to Khan, otherwise you are one amongst millions!
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This is a highly biased article … Journalists only speak with no actual action plan …
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Only Altaf Hussain was brave enough to condemn the Taliban directly without mincing his words. Shouldn’t it be shame on all of them? Why single out IK?
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Thats right. Pakistan is full of cowards thats why TTP has been causing so much problem. If we had enough guts, we would go after this menace and completely wipe them out. Recommend
What a run around Imran Khan has taken us on. It seems, that a liberal fascist like myself, who is accused of hating the Pakistan Army, has more concern about soldiers killed fighting the TTP than the emotive vanguards of the PTI, JI and other right wing parties, who talk about root causes, and defending the state but are silent when our soldiers are killed.
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Excellent article and be prepared for drone attacks by PTI’s youth!!!!Recommend
Awesome piece… Shame on you Mr. Khan…Recommend
I wonder, how did ET accept this title? Whereas I believe TTP are bad Talibans unlike Afghan Talibans (Who are fighting against US not against their own people). We shouldn’t have dialogues with TTP.
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Haven’t seen such strong worded headline against anyone who is responsible to maintain law and order but to a person who is not in government. Shame on you for writing something without facts and calling someone coward who bravely led two rallies in Quetta and Fata while sitting in your drawing room.
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Our existing Government is doing every thing which you are demanding from Khan ! than why we are not heading any where ?????????????
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A Double Shame on you Mr Khan
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The way the article is written, it seems the author would have slapped Imran Khan if he’d found him standing next to him when he was writing this……..!!!
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Now someone did took money from the Shareefs, we can see the effect. I am unliking your page and ill stop visiting your website as its the most biased newspapers i have ever read. Bye!
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very well said…IK have never critisized the sectarian violence also openly…Recommend
As Winston Churchil said to rally his people “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself”. He didn’t say that because he thought that no one will be killed in the war, but because he thought the fear is a bigger enemy than Nazis.
If Imran Khan has given in to fear – He has lost the war with extremists, with regressive ideology – even before he fought it.
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I wish you had written this article in Waziristan not in luxurious living room, You would’ve understood each word what he says.
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Awsome….Mr Khan has some serious problems with his logic , ideas and most importantly with his followers.
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Complete bias and beyond the yellow journalism. Khan has gone to Balochistan and FATA. He is label as Jew representative by religious outfits. His life was at stake but he went out. Rehman Malik himself in media declared that attack on Malala is not done by TTP but a splinter group.
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Thank you Mr. Feisal H Naqvi. You deserve all my appreciation, not for the (well-deserved) bashing of Khan but for explaining the TTP phenomenon. I, being in the list of cowards, can only dare to post these comments. I wish I could do more !Recommend
It is evident that the 14-years old (Malala) is a tool that the local and international media is using to justify ruler’s and western killing of Pakistanis.Recommend
You are still very soft on this most coward man! let alone leader! he went into hiding coz of Musharraf wanted him in jail that was fact enought to show how scaredy-cat Mr Khan is!
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The countdown for Pakistan starts the day America leaves Afghanistan.
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I agree with you what you said about Mr. Khan but do not agree about Afghan and Pakistani Taliban distinction. Both of them are two sides of same coin. Their ideology is one and their leader is Mullah Umar. Also about future, that after taking over Kabul, Afghan Taliban would normalize their relationship with Pakistan. They would, but after taking over Pakistan.
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I agree with the title and the writer’s view on Imran Khan, but have a diametrically opposite view in the rest of the argument. The TTP and the Afghan Taliban are two heads of the same hydra; it is naive to imagine that they are any different in ideology or method. Malala stood against principles that the Afghan Taliban had implemented in Afghanistan which were also being brought into Pakistan, and the punishment meted out to her is no different from those applied by the Taliban many times before – so why draw an artificial distinction between the Afghan and Pakistani versions of the same organization; just because their political targets are on different sides of a border that both units do not recognize? This just plays into the hands of those who try and portray the TTP as an bunch of criminals (they prefer using the acronym instead of the expansion) who are maligning the noble cause of the Taliban – genuine freedom fighters motivated by love for their homeland. Did not expect such a hollow argument from a writer of this calibre.
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PTI trolls need to stop Imran-worship. The attack by TTP has nothing to do with drones which is a separate issue. The illegal drone strikes do not rationalize TTP attacks. If someone thinks of it that way then he/she needs to get his/her head checked: foremost being Imran Khan.
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Excessive criticism of Imran khan is backfiring now .. ET have successfully published 100th blog against IK .. for once i thought i am living in 2013 and Imran khan is PM already ..
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Thank you Feisal for restoring my belief in sanity.
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Anyone can condemn in words. Words dont mean anything. Actions do.
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Time has proved that tsunami khan is bogus and a big fraud.
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IK’s political gaffes would be funny if they weren’t so sad and true…the man is proving himself to be confused and directionless. He is under no threat of violence from the TTP – he has already shot himself in the foot.
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Such stuff must not be written in our Great State of Denial
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Great article. IK is confusing Pakistan and taking it in a complete wrong direction. Thanks Naqvi for being brave enough to write this.
Message to all the PTI trolls: Get a life and take criticism. Naqvi is not IK hater, but criticizing his policies.Recommend
@Bilal Hameed: I wish IK has as much guts as Malala sitting in Swat.
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The same goes for the “root cause” argument. Frankly, I couldn’t care less what inspires or motivates the TTP. I know that the TTP doesn’t accept the legitimacy of my country or my elected government. I know that they kill my fellow citizens. I know that they kill the soldiers who fight for my security. I don’t need to know the “root cause” of the TTP’s beliefs any more than I need to know about the childhood traumas of a psychopath threatening my family.
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@Bilal Hameed:
Really? Imran Khan himself could not get to Waziristan. How would he know?
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Wow. ET has literally started bad mouthing Imran Khan. Seriously we really deserve to be where we are. We do not accept anyone who is sincere and is determined willing to do something for the country. He has taken a little careful stance because he and his party used to be in public all the time. Can we afford to loose Imran Khan and pave a way for another PPP like what happened in 2008. Govt could not protect it governor and ministers. Govt could not protect Malala. Govt would not be able to protect Imran Khan if he takes it head on with the taliban. Had he been in power or if Govt could protect him and in spite of that he had said that then he must have been shamed and condemned for his “Agar Magar”. Since he is not in power and Govt can not protect him, can we spare him till election for his careful stance? If he was not brave he would have not gone to Quetta. If he was not brave he would not have gone to Waziristan. If he is taking some careful stance that is mainly because of his workers and supporters who come to attend his public meetings. Recommend
@Memon:
“Whereas I believe TTP are bad Talibans unlike Afghan Talibans (Who are fighting against US not against their own people).”
Afghan Taliban have not hesitated in targeting and killing thousands of Afghan civilians, officials, and anyone who does not like them!
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PTI Troll i am following you…………Message…
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Shameful. They/Taliban are killing our men, women and children but still we regard them our darling. In fact bigri hoi mehbooba
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Money talks !
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Shame on you Mister Writer, IK strongly condemned TTP unlike other political forces, Shame on you for NOT highlighting FATA problems and Drone strikes? Afraid?
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How come you do not have such resentment towards “your elected government’s” violence towards the citizens. your fellow citizens are living the most miserable lives because of this government that people like you elected and are still defending. THERE ARE FAR BIGGER ISSUES IN THIS COUNTRY THAN WHAT IMRAN KHAN SAYS AND DOES NOT SAY. Use this public forum that has been given to you a little more responsibly please.
An employee of Sweet Tooth (Near Hotspot Lahore) was beaten up by the Punjab Elite Police for not selling to Shahbaz Sharif’s daughter when the shop was closed.
Your government’s actions speak louder than Mr khan’s words.
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@Faisal Naqvi
Another opinion piece that totally misses the mark. The Afghan government is an elected government just like the Pakistani government and therefore any militant organization calling for the overthrow of an elected government should be condemned unequivocally on both sides of the Durand Line.
The TTP are an offshoot of the Afghan Taliban and they swear allegiance to Amir ul Momineen aka Mullah Omar. Both the Afghan Taliban and TTP strive for Pashtun hegemony in Pashtun lands.
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that the Afghan Taliban does not have a beef against the state of Pakistan. On the contrary they want Pashtun lands back and the TTP is a veritable arm of the Afghan Taliban pursuing an expansionist agenda, which will eventually carve out a state for the Pashtuns on both sides of the Durand Line.
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{I don’t need to know the “root cause” of the TTP’s beliefs any more than I need to know about the childhood traumas of a psychopath threatening my family.}
Well said. Bull’s eye. But it wont help IK supporters see the light. They are made of sterner stuff.
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Pity the people who believe both the sectarian violence and the attack on Malala are more than petty and blatant warmongering. Whenever there is any kind of dialogue with Iran we have suddenly have all these sectarian attacks and I was waiting for baited breath for something to happen after the anti-drone protests and guess what? If I were the betting kind I would have made a lot of money by now.
I also pity those who think waziristan=taliban. If we can’t differentiate between them then why should we expect the rest of the world to see beyond Pakistanis= terrorists.
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a 14 years old girl exposed him….!
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Other then MQM every single party didn’t condemn this attack openly & since social media is having soft corner for Malala, i hope you all would go for MQM in next elections.
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@Sabih Zafar Ullah: Altaf hussain can certainly do that. Actually any politician would be able to do that IF THEY WERE SITTING IN THE UK. Tell Mr Altaf to come to Pakistan and then repeat the same words.
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I am not agree with you. where were these pakistan TTP before 9/11. their fight starts after lal mosque attack and armies first operations in fata 2002. I completely disagree you. they have very strong arguments. you cant deny them. because how could pakistani army and gov could appreciate the struggle against the communist afghans gov in the soviet invasion of Afghanistan and meanwhile at the same time attack on mulah naik muhammad by saying that he is terrorist while he is doing the same fighting against foreign invasion. imran argument is completely clear. you did not understand or you illusionist because of the anger of the attack on mlala.
the agenda you are mentioning that ttp has, is not their first agenda, they change their agenda now there is many ttp groups with different names each have own aim and agenda.
when the operation will start and there will be for sure a series of sucidie attacks, then you will again blame pakistan goverment and zia ul haq. i know its complicated and with your sense of intelligence it will solve neither if you blame imran khan. each life is important. any way these ttp people are from us, we have to deal with them. imran never support ttp. he just said to win trible people on our side side line them. if negotiation fails.
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“The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan consists of groups indigenous to Pakistan whose primary aim is to overthrow the elected government of Pakistan and to take over power in Pakistan.”
So what is the problem here? Each and every rightwing party, leader or group wants this and TTP and other terrorists are a tool to achieve that. Who actually killed BB, Taseer or Bhatti? Why only liberal and elected secular leaders are targeted by these terrorists?
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WOW ! you must have had a bad day in court. Venting anger on Imran Khan for saying what you think is wrong or someone praising Altaf Bhai for actually saying the right thing, is not going to make an iota of difference. Your fire and brimstone reasoning should be hurled at those who matter and at present seem to be in a ‘ deer in the headlight ‘ situation.
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I totally agree that Imran Khan has disappointed people with his immature and irresponsible gaffes but I also think that this writer does not get it either.
Yet another opinion piece that totally misses the mark. The Afghan government is an elected government just like the Pakistani government and therefore any militant organization calling for the overthrow of an elected government should be condemned unequivocally on both sides of the Durand Line.
The TTP are an offshoot of the Afghan Taliban and they swear allegiance to Amir ul Momineen aka Mullah Omar. Both the Afghan Taliban and TTP strive for Pashtun hegemony in Pashtun lands.
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that the Afghan Taliban does not have a beef against the state of Pakistan. On the contrary they want Pashtun lands back and the TTP is a veritable arm of the Afghan Taliban pursuing an expansionist agenda, which will eventually carve out a state for the Pashtuns on both sides of the Durand Line.
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Well done Imran for not falling in their stupid traps! All these macho, uber warmongers, writhing in fake moral anger and goading you into making hostile statements, have only one thing in common: they all wish you dead. After seeing the ground under their feet shaking and exhausting all political gimmicks to stop your march to an election win, this is now the pathetic, secret wish they carry in their hearts. Remember that getting one’s head lopped off is not gallantry, it is stupidity. You will be much more useful with your head on your shoulders, trust me! Pakistan needs you to implement your agenda and we are with you all the way!!!
No “strong” statements will sort out this mess– we have plenty of such gibberish ad nauseum everyday. It will only raise the red rag in front of the raging bull and make eventual negotiations much more complicated A well thought out policy involving a peace strategy is the only way. Let these reflexive haters drop more useless bombs on FATA and on paper–it will never get them anywhere.
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Hey listen Mr blogger, i pity all those condemning malala’s attack. if you dont know many others were shot, know one asked about them and should we all cry over one incident..and if you dont know he did condemn and even visited Malala’s father…now coming to main point, is condemning what is left for us to do? drone attack killed hundred innocent and that is okay but this girl got attacked that is bad? yes its bad but i wonder why she got attacked years after her statement and right after when imran khan held a successful rally in tribal areas and drone attacks were put at question…Imran khan did something good…unlike you sitting at your home and writing blogs, people actually are going to those areas and help….
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Imran Khan condemned the attack on Malala the very same day and also the attackers explicitly in a press conference. I don’t know in what part of the world the author is living. Its a level of insanity that the author failed to understand a very simple stance of Imran Khan about drone attacks that these causes collateral damage in the aftermath of which insurgents manipulates the innocent victims which further fuel insurgency, He advocates to integrate the local tribal people from the folds of extremists and then fight that small group who does not make a truce.You are not fighting a war against an individual out there but a community. I being a tribal know of dead infants, children and women from debris of drone hit houses. I strongly protest against an attack on Malala and have taken it to to the streets of my city myself , but I also advocates for the human lives out there in tribal areas. A true leader see heterogeneity and this is the best thing about Imran Khan.
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Harkol, that was Franklin D. Roosevelt, the president of the United States. Excellent article, Mr. Naqvi.
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Taliban attacked malala, PPP is in governmen, Army is in charge of swat. but the responsible and criminal is Imran khan. liberal fascists how worse can you get. this is all drama staged by USA and executed by TTP and propagated by liberals elite
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So is IK mildly against TTP, moderately against TTP, dead against TTP or supportive of TTP.
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Please Mr Naqvi go out and protest against the Taliban yourself, its easy to write an op-ed in the comfort of your drawing room.
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Bravo Mr. Feisal H Naqvi, you made a solid point there about Mr Khan.
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NaqviSaheb,
My compliments to you. Imran is a total Farce, a coward and is unraveling very fast. The youth should read all his statements and soon they will have nothing to do with him. He hasn’t learned anything since his famous speech blunder after winning the world cup.n Yes shame on Imran.
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For a people who have nothing to look forward to, Im the Dim is the second coming.
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Spot on. You hit the right nail here. Let’s hope “Immi K Matwalay” wont charge you with blasphemy.
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Brilliantly put as always.
and it looks like Mr. Naqvi is about to have a field day with the trolls. May the God of anti-trolls be with you.
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Imran statement also reveals that those who condemn or oppose Taliban are targeted by them This clearly mean that they are terrorists
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A hard hitting, no-holds-barred, and 201% factual article by Mr Naqvi. Bravo sir! But the PTI fanbois are blinded in their love for the “Beloved Leader”. Sometimes (and I am very scared when I say this) I see the signs of Nazi party, Hitler and their workers when I see PTI (of course minus the superior oratorical skills and the moustache). It is few, brave men like you the country needs to jolt people from their slumber and make them see the face behind the mask. Recommend
I am not sure if TTP and Afghan Taliban are indigenous to Pakistan and Afghanistan respectively. They have a history of taking hostage entire local communities and even use them as human shields to save their own skin. I don’t think it’s right to assume they are owned by the locals, unless they are made to under the point of their guns.
This demarcation is important if it is to state whether a military operation is justified in Baluchistan as well. Strife in Baluchistan is indigenous in nature: TTP strife is NOT indigenous, hence the mantra of holding “negotiations” with these barbarians is futile.
As for the article is concerned, it is not worthy to be placed as a feature. It is more of a personal opinion and expression of anger at Imran Khan. Though I find PTI’s logic to be very damaging and confusing, but personal rhetoric must not be placed as a column in a national daily. Writing ethics must be ensured for objectivity and neutrality.
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After the craven targeting of young Malala, it would appear that the wheels have fallen off IK’s “blame it all on the drones” argument. And quite rightly so,
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The writer also comes across as an arm chair general since he is claiming the Afghan Talibs are better. The Afghan Talibs or the deep state’s proxies were not letting girls go to school and flogged clean shaven men like you before 2001 so read a little history before pointing fingers at Imran Khan. Basically you both are ignorant fools.
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Bravo.
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Imran Khan has this bipolar thing going on which I am yet to fully understand. On one hand he is a headstrong leader with immense clarity and on the other hand (which is most of the time lately) he comes across as a confused primary kid who’s lost his marbles. But on this particular matter, I agree. What an awful shame!
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All these ANTI PTI trolls are falling over each other now, trying to win he gold medal for slandering Imran. All they do is mouth inanities, show their fake moral rage, varying levels of command of English language, mention a few random events from history (Nazi being most popular) and then move on to the next blog to leave another trail of odorous hate. Tell me, is Imran holding the army back now from attacking North Waziristan? Why does’nt their fearless democratic hero, the President of Pakistan (hiding in the Presidency), get on national TV, announce an offensive and make sure the army follows through to brings him the head of the kingpin Taleban on a dish? What is stopping him? We have men, weapons, tanks, field guns, attack helicopters, night vision, drone cover and much more. Any dumbo the clown with an answer?
Oh, before I conclude, let’s all pray for Mallala again! did I say Mallalla? Let’s pray one more time? What a bunch of regal idiots we are stuck with. Reminds me of a toy in children’s zoo–you turn the ear of a metal donkey, the tail goes up and fresh droppings hit the ground! No thinking, no strategy, only reflexive hate mongering and point scoring.
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Belay Belay what an article. I was biggest supporter of IK but recent Imran’s statements and continuously playing old record of Drones made me thing that this man is crazy, He is after the support of Mullahs, Talibans and extremists. I hate looters of Pakistan sharif brothers, Choudry’s of Gujarat , wadars of sind and Balochistan.Now when I compare him with the looters. My analysis are that Khan is a very bad news for Pakistan. I will except looters This is the only option . God bless you for writing this article, I want My Pakistan Back from these extremists. Ya allah help Pakistan to get rid of These illiterate mullahs,TTP and their supporters and this mix up Khan..
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What can you expect from PTI which rubs shoulders regularly with Difa-e-Pakistan Council in the name of ‘engaging’ them. PTI, DPC, and JUI are pretty much the only Pakistanis who have not shared the rest of the nation’s cry of anguish to crush Taliban before they destroy us and our way of life. When you have a moment, Mr. Imran Khan, please look around and you will be shocked to see what company you are left with. The rest of the nation has moved on to understand and call out the threat posed by the monster. Case in point is Aamir Liaquat Hussain – whose open support for the Lal Masjid and Swat bandits was unrelenting – stood in front of the AFIC yesterday, and held an open ‘dua’ for Malala, condemning Taliban by name, and calling them cowards, animals, blasphemous, and barbarous. He even challenged them to come and kill him. There are many many Pakistanis who have converted after this incident. Will you have the same guts and be counted?
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Excellent article by Mr Naqvi who has rightly exposed the dual face of Taliban Khan. Shame on you Mr Taliban Khan!!!!
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@Sabih Zafar Ullah, Altaf Hussain in the only leader who is brave from the UK. Let him come here and then speak against Taliban. The writer said it right that cowards are not leaders but was hinted at Altaf Hussain.
Khan is hero and brave. He can’t be branded insincere and coward by any definition or dictionary.
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khan should not be condemned ,he is trying for an acceptable solution
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Biases aside – for simplicity, I would like to agree with the author but also pose a question – suggest an alternative please?
The only leader who openly the Pakistani Taliban was Altaf Hussain BHAI! Make what you want of it – to me its not a battle of right verses wrong – that ship sailed long time ago but the lesser of the two evils!
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Well surely Mr fake Kublai Khan has lost my vote. Pity a 14year old girl had courage to stand up to these yahoos and fake Kublai Khan couldn’t even condemn TTP in clear words. You are a coward -Shame on you Khan….it hurts me to say but certainly you have let me down and many more who thought you were a ray of hope.
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Mr. Naqvi – Your stance is valid and appreciable but I’d simply wish for you to be wise enough to understand Pakistan Politics and understand what stance actually IK has taken here..
I wish u were aware of under-curtain scenario of this Malala attack.
You would be seeing drastic changes in socio-political environment of our beloved country in near future and then i’d appreciate, if you write again with open mental paradigms.
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Feisal Naqvi
Kudos for ,to the point, article better can not be said.Ik should better get retirement and return to cricket world.
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Will the author apply the same criteria to other political leaders, say Nawaz Sharif and the rest? Why single out Imran Khan. He is not in power. The most deserving of the “shame on you” should have been the people whose responsibility it was to protect Malala. The author’s arguments may hold weight but I just don’t get the fixation with PTI/Imran. I am not a PTI supporter but the emphasis on Imran only does sound very biased.
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Feisal H Naqvi i would like to start condemning your views from the word go. Almost every Pakistani including myself believes that people like yourself are the main cause of the downfall of this country. I don’t know who you are or where you come from and lastly which political background you belong to? (Quite evident) But i know one thing and i know it straight that such articles as yours can damage a lot. So, shame on you for being deliberately blind.
You call Imran Khan a coward for him being patient and trying to complete yet another cause,
Now if i remember correctly, Waziristan has been a playground for more than 10 long years, where people and i mean innocent people have lost their lives. Infants and children becoming orphans, parents losing their young ones, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, the list goes on. You still think bombing our own people is not tragic? There exists no collateral damage? Its time for you to change your perspective about the poor people of Waziristan and all the other concerned areas. Only mentally demented leaders have bombed their own people and only fanatics have supported them. So, shame on you for being ignorant!!
Moreover, what i don’t understand, is that how many of you made it a point or write and call for peace and wrote/called from the deepest core of your hearts. None!! I salute Imran Khan for going and step in the Den and try to clear and remove all the misunderstandings/misinterpretation/misapprehension and undone the blunders that the goons (Pakistani Leaders) are accounted for.
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Feisal,
Kudos for ,to the point, article better can not be said.Ik should better get retirement and return to cricket world.
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Imran Khan have disappointed me on two occasions, once when he jumped over the wall of his own house to escape the arrest – IK is supposed to be a leader not a criminal therefore I believe he should not have fled like one, and then by his statement or lack of it against TTP. Both of the times he made those decisions out of fear – so Feisal Naqvi does have a point – not out of his love for his country or country men. Although, in the latter case, he may also be motivated by politics; he does not want to upset any potential voters that may have a soft spot for TTP and other similar groups.
That being said, he is not the only leader that has shown cowardice, like another commentator noted here. Which makes him just like the others in this matter. However, does he poses some qualities that the other leaders in Pakistan do not? I tend to believe he does. I believe he is sincere about ridding Pakistan of its corrupt culture, its education woes, its infrastructure problems, and its law and order situation. He may be the one person that can save Baluchistan from being separated. I’d say, he is still a lot better of the lot we have to chose from.
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Feisal, incisive, hard hitting, bold and straight from the heart article! I like Khan Sahib but detest his compromises on Taliban and the ideology that they represent.
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I cannot believe Imran Khan did not condemn the attack on this 14 year old unarmed helpless girl, who was singled out in a bus full of schoolgirls and shot in the head for her outspokenness on EDUCATION. I just find his politics mind-boggling.
There are a lot of people banking on him coming through for Pakistan, but unfairly or not, he’s NOT the man!
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Dear intellectual, Easy way to gain fame and article read. Now a days you can use the name of Imran Khan and get rating but its ok you have kids to feed. It was the question asked by Mr Talat hussain which you have put they you want. Now I understand why Pakistan is in hot waters.
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Shame on you Imran Khan… death is inevitable, day is prescribed for everyone in the book of destiny …. why to show cowardice…. it is better to live one day of courageous life of lion rather then living 100 days of cowardice of jackal ….. Bhutto chose death and still lives in the hearts of ppl. he preferred immortality over his mortal life … look at Malala the whole nation is praying for her bcoz of her courage…..
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“Though I find PTI’s logic to be very damaging and confusing, but personal rhetoric must not be placed as a column in a national daily. Writing ethics must be ensured for objectivity and neutrality.”
It’s an opinions section. Opinions are personal. Opinions can come in the form of rhetoric and usually aren’t neutral. The only time an opinion becomes neutral is when they’re worried about the opinions they’ll receive from saying it out loud. Not in their original state.
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@Sara Khan:
It is evident that the 14-years old (Malala) is a tool that the local and international media is using to justify ruler’s and western killing of Pakistanis.
And the taliban use her and others for target practice.Recommend
@Zalmai: Well spoken Zalmai. It is for exactly the reasons you indicated that the good Taliban/bad Taliban distinction that the army and government has tried to create has been unsuccessful in wiping out this extremist mindset of throwing out elected government, tearing up constitution and installing sharia on either side of Durand line. People conveniently forget that even during 1996-2001 when Afghan Taliban were installed in power by Pakistan and only 3 countries (Pakistan, KA and UAE) recognized that government, the Afghan Taliban did not acknowledge the Durand line.
You cannot encourage chanda for Afghan Taliban and discourage it for TTP when both have similar mindset and ideology – AT for Afghanistan and TTP for Pakistan.
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the TTP may be different from the Afghani Taliban but it’s ridiculous and utterly ignorant to assert that American imperialism, Pakistani complicity, and things like drone strikes have nothing to do with their motives/agenda. i condemn the attack on Malala but condemn such ignorance in equal amountRecommend
Only Quaid E Tehreek Altaf Hussain The Strongly Condem Talban And Talbanization
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@Bilal Hameed:
Are you from Waziristan sir?Recommend
@Sheikh Gabbar:
Stop exaggerating. 201%? You remind me of Dobbie, the ghoul, in the movie Lord of the Rings. Dobbie must serve master; Dobbie must exaggerate; Dobbie must post BS!
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@Khan:
Ah, the real Khan is heading the posse for a showdown with the Taleban at OK Corral. Don’t forget to bring your iPod with you–you can kill a few Taleban with loud Bhangra music!
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@Seema
There is no drought he belongs to the family of Naizis. one of them surrendered to India with 90,000 troops. he has coward blood.
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I don’t know whether IK is brave or not but one thing I can say that he is loyal and sincere to his cause.i.e -”I’m the best”.
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Agree
Ik u a coward
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@Seema:
Bravo Seema. Lets’s meet at the main square in Wana and finish off these monsters. Don’t forget to bring your lipstick with you!
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By the definition of this writer Altaf Hussain is the only brave leader. Then bring him on and we will make him PM. He seems brave from distance. Everyone is brave on TV and talk shows.
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@Omer:
Is that how PTI works? Btw where is money for PTI coming from?
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@Sultan:
Totally off topic but you’re mixing up movies; Dobbie was in Harry Potter. I forgot the name of the similar creature in LOTR. Thought you’d like to know. Carry on. Cheers.
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What is the real truth ?
Be careful before we judge people by there sentences and ignore their actions.
Only time will tell the real truth.
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@Ahsan Malik:
Exposed you and your ilk is more like it..
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I urge the readers of this column to open the eyes and face the reality. If this TTP problem was so simple then our Army in Musharaf days would have resolved it.
Every armed conflict ends with table talks with Militants or those simpathizers who stand a chance of being convinced.
IK is trying to lead this nation towards resolving the problem without blanketing all groups across the country who have a level of affiliation/sympathy with MAD TTP ideology.
He is giving you a way out….. He is giving leaving at least one Door open…. I hope and pray that we resolve this cancer by least use of Force in very near future under IKs leadership.
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Imran Khan wants to Talibanize Pakistan; the Taliban want to ‘Imranize’ Pakistan. They have the same agenda.
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IK and many have a flawed logic and keep repeating to address the root cause. Rather the efforts should start with ensuring that the poisonous fruits that the tree is already bearing are taken care of and that these poisonous fruits do not sprout new seedlings as the TTP was born out of the Taliban group. If the branches are cut off and the fruits are destroyed it would prevent new roots from sprouting. Additionally, You can address the root cause if it is a genuine freedom struggle or fight against oppression. How can you address the root cause of the Talibans. Talibans are fighting for an ideology and it is not a freedom movement. If you agree that the root cause has to be addressed, you essentially agree with their ideology and want to find a way to implement their ideology.
On another point, IK says that he is afraid of giving statements against TTP because they may target his party workers. Altaf Hussein showed courage here. His was not afraid that TTP may target his party workers. Altaf also knows that without his party workers his political career is also finished, yet he has the clear vision and courage. With Malala in UK, I am sure IK will avoid visiting UK for fund raising. PTI is a closed chapter now. IK repeatedly boasts of his courage and says that if he becomes the PM, the Army shall report to him and obey his orders. Only the most ignorant shall think that he has the courage to order the Army, when he is so afraid even to criticize the Talibans. It is not just him, but the entire PTI has no courage.
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@Keen observer:
Would you trust someone whose stances contradict their actions?
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Let’s be simple and realistic, TTP did admitted and It’s sad what has happened, no matter what leader or politician should condemn it, if it’s wrong than it’s wrong there is no space for indirectly changing phrases. As a national level politician he should have sent a clear message, all thou it is understandable that what he said could be taken opposite as well.
Yes he I admit that he has stood up for Tribal people and against drones but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t clearly give the statement, what it appears to me that he is engaged with elements which he think would have favor him in near future whereas, TTP is not just one but several groups in which external forces are clearly involved he shouldn’t be supporting any wrong at any cost.
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I like it, he should not have said that i watched that show, but still i m in for PTI.
Now can you please write an article, how to win this war? I really would love to see how you differ with IK policy?
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This Is the incident that would keep me from voting for Imran khan…never again would I get swayed by unbriddled passion….how did I not see the hollow promises…Imran khan has betrayed my trust..he is a coward, a bigot and an opportunist…malaala ki azmat.ko salaam…
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If you can not fight them, confuse them. IK is doing that on behalf of TTP
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@Tariq Bashir:
Problem lies with IK because of his silly views on national and international matters.
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a thought provoking piece for all nation especially the rudimentary activists of PTI
To blame everything on the drone strikes is incredibly stupid and naive… we have an undertone of extremism in our society that’s why the symptoms are too many. These were there even before the 9/11 but have only changed form or gets highlighted easily by know-it-all media.
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@mir ali:
The TTP has nothing to do with the Taliban. They are criminals, who are being
trained in Indian embassies, in Afghanistan, with the sole purpose of causing brutalities,
disruption, chaos, and anarchy inside Pakistan. They are being funded by the enemies
of Pakistan, using the name of the Taliban. This is a well known fact.
Imran Khan is sincere, and speaks the truth. All of us Muslims, trust him. Shame on
Faisal Naqvi, shame on the secular liberals, and shame on people who support the
secular, liberal agenda, and above all shame on India, and Indian mentality.
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I could not agree more with the author. He is great.
I was hoping Imran Khan will be Pakistan’s saviour. But my doubt is starting to rise.
I am an American Citizen of Indian origin, a Hindu by birth with deeply rooted sympathy for Pakistan. It hurts me to see Pakistan bleed. Only recently I got interested in Pakistan and 100 % of what I know about it has come from Pakistani press, Pakistani TV News and News
Magazines like Sochta Pakistan, Javed Chaudhary, Hamid Gul, Hasan Nissar, Tariq Ali, ….
and of couse stupids like Zaid Hameed,
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People like IK is the reason pakistani army is not successful in tribal areas. If they will take any big action IK along with other mullahs will come outside and damage the country. Pakistani people please wake up! This is ur own war and no one can win it but you! Be united against these talibans.
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Shame on you Taliban khan
Very appropriate comment. What can you expect from clean shaven Jamaati. Qazis hussain Ahmed and IK have same philosophy and why not they merge.
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@Muhammad Yousaf Gandapur:
For all of you PTI peaceniks, the negotiations route has been tried at least four times since 2004 (Shakai, Sararogha, Miranshah, and Swat accords). Each time, the militants used the agreement to expand their territory. and violated the agreements. They never disarmed or stop their destructive activities. What makes you believe that they will behave differently this time?
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I have disagreed with nearly all the op-eds opined by Feisal Naqvi except for this one. I was once a supporter of PTI – the history of comments on this site would attest to it. However, I have left the party and won’t be voting. There is not a single party which deserves my vote.
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And does the state always use violence against its people without a proper judicial process?
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All those politicians who condemn the taliban having 24/7 security. Does IK
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Money talks.Recommend
And people still say that PTI youths do not behave. Bravo
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@Ahsan:
Me too. Had enough. Un-favouriting this site right away.
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@Shahbaz Asif Tahir:
Please give us some references to support your comment that “The TTP has nothing to do with the Taliban. They are criminals, who are being trained in Indian embassies, in Afghanistan…”!
AND NO THIS IS NOT A WELL KNOWN FACT!!!!! The REAL “well known fact” is that the Taliban/TTP have maimed and murdered tens of thousands of Pakistanis over the past decade, AND HAVE REPEATEDLY TAKEN CREDIT FOR DOING SO!
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Naqvi Sahib,
I agree with your view that Mr. Khan has shown less (or no) courage when it concerns relgious militancy and inter-faith conflicts. He seems to have a policy of appeasement towards the religious brigands. In that, he is following the same expediency-based strategies which most conventional politicians adopt. We expected a purely PRINCIPLED stance on all things from him. He seems unaware of the contradictions in his thinking.
Nevertheless, you seem to have written the last few paragrahps in a fit of rage – a rage so overwhelming that you apparently condone the lack of “due process” which is attendant in the bombing of local populations. Thieves are imprisoned, murders are executed after (hopefully) a fair trial – and cannot be equated with other forms of state sponsored violence. Sincerely
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pathetic articleRecommend
@C. Nandkishore:
and then u wait for ur end.. ur nxt
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“Let me make another thing clear: Mr Khan says that it is a tragedy for Pakistan to be bombing its own people. Actually, no.
States use violence against their own citizens their whole time.”
When PTI people call these guys scum and liberal fascists, they’re right on the mark
There’s even a good number of American citizens that are ashamed of the bombs dropped on this region
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How can you blame someone for problems with law and order when he is not even part of the Government?
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Shame on them who created these Taliban and other DEHSHAT GARD everywhere in Pakistan for the LUST of power and money
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@harkol: I think you will find that Franklin Delano Roosevelt said that, not Churchill.
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Shame on you, Imran Khan !
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I am a PTI supporter and Mr Faisal Naqvi you are absolutely right.
Imran Khan its high time PTI tells TTP to put down its weapons and the PTI should have a policy on how they will curb violent extremism in the country….
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TO PTI SUPPORTERS (IM ONE OF YOU) But learn to take criticism! That is the essence of improving oneself is to listen to others — it is the core principle of democracy.
DO NOT ATTACK TRIBUNE FOR THE SAKE OF ATTACKING. IF YOU DISAGREE BE POLITE AND ARGUE YOUR POINTS WITH INTELLECT.
Mr Naqvi is right — and is giving constructive feedback to IK.
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A Very well written article Mr. Naqvi, bravo. The real face of Imran Khan is now in front of the public. he is a clear supporter of Taliban and extremists like Jamait-e-Islami.
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I think the need of the hour is a strong and brave leader who has a clear vision & is not afraid of anybody be it TTP or any damn fundamental religious organisation. And I feal Imran does not belong to that category.
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Mr. writer have u ever said a word about drone have you stood up against america on drones and if malala’s case deserve sympathies then so does other hundreds of our kids who became target of drones. and there is not much difference between barvery and stupidity…musharaf was not brave who allied in war against terrorism and we all know that. so please be a little tactful.
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Oh come on, Imran Khan is anything but a coward.Recommend
PTI is an entity born out of wedlock of the Deep State and Taliban, with a fair sprinkling of sperm from religious parties thrown in.
Hence similarities with a crossbred mulatto having questionable pedigree and dubious parentage.
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@Sabih Zafar Ullah: and he too only condemns them as he himself is in London where there is no threat of taliban…
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Why we condemn Taliban? Do we have undeniable proofs that this was a Taliban’s attack. and if so which Talibans attacked her? What if she is attacked by Blackwater, CIA or any other agency or CONTRACTOR?
If you live in lahore and you might have come across “asli student biryani – karachi wali” do you believe them to be true cuz they have named it like that?
There are too many questions and ambiguities and i think its a very positive show by Imran Khan that he didnt name them.. As Mufti Muneed said Taliban is anyone who is searching acquiring the knowledge of deen.. why are we blackening this term?
Just recently CM daughter is caught on tape getting a person beaten in bakery. CM ordered an inquiry.. Now CM want an inquiry when we already have a video proof. Still inquiring n doing a proper investigation is considered important and it should always be done.. but in case of Taliban we blame them before any inquiry.. Where is our own internal justice or we are just too inhumane for it now?
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God knows, I am a huge supporter of IK(or I was?). But, I’m still optimistic; may God make him the man he’s portraying to be, and save him from the hypocrisy. Imran Khan was a new hope for me and millions of other people.
A lovely, true-to-the-bones article from the author. I could never ever have digested criticism on IK but, from some time, IK is making some real effort to make him legitimate to be criticized for his deeds. Great article, and actually, a sincere advice for PTI (which includes me too) and IK, if we give it a ear, that is.
IK, I heard you many times ”Allah Farmata he”, please google ‘daily life quranic lessons’. What i found meant ‘ speak clearly, don’t mingle up things.
If you keep doing that, You are not gonna get my vote, and my my family, or friends for that matter.Recommend
I am sorry Mr. Naqvi, but if you dont want to understand the root cause then you will never be able to solve the issue. You will keep treating the symptoms without treating the disease.
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Jailing or shooting by state is one thing, genocide is something else Mr Naqvi. You cant understand this? Shame on you!
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Can I say shame on the writer condemning Imran Khan. Whatever Imran Khan does or does not do is criticized. It is quite a hard task trying to create order in a country that is Pakistan. Mr Khan said the right thing.
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Mr. Naqvi, you being so good at identifying things….could you please, for the love of God, tell me what/who exactly is a Taliban?!? lets not even go to the differences between the Afghan Talibs and Pak Talibs….just tell me how one is branded as being a “Taliban”? is every pathan/punjabi that opposes the govt a “Taliban”? Why are the Baloach insurgents “rebels” and not “Taliban”??????? They are guilty of everything you claim to hate????
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