Many questions come to mind concerning the rise of Imran Khan.
Is he an angel? Is he a leader of the stature of a Jinnah or a Mandela? Has he not committed any political mistakes? Has his party’s government in Khyber-Pakhtukhwa (K-P) delivered on its election promises? Does he have upright, honest and anti-status quo politicians around him? Is he a brilliant orator? Has he been consistent in what he says on issues like drones and terrorism? Is he an ideal example of simplicity as a leader? Has he furnished any proof of the allegations of election rigging with the involvement of some big names? Does he make any sense when he calls national and provincial elections that he lost ‘rigged’ and elections he won ‘fair’? Does he sound reasonable when he asks others to resign but wants to keep his government in K-P intact? Does he appear to have any logic when he boycotts by-elections, claiming he doesn’t want to be part of a rigged parliament, but goes on to support an independent candidate (in the NA 149 by-poll) against Makhdum Javed Hashmi?
Moreover, members of the National Assembly from the PTI and elected from K-P were asked to resign like all other MNAs, as well as MPAs from Punjab and Sindh, but MPAs from K-P were not; is there any logic in this? Furthermore, could any other leader take positions as absurd as his call for civil disobedience, taking deposits out of government banks, not sending remittances through official channels or not paying taxes, but yet see a rise in popularity?
I think the answer to all these questions is a resounding ’no’.
On the flip side, has Imran Khan become a symbol against the politics of status quo? Has he established himself as the only popular leader who is raising a voice against corruption and nepotism? Has he become the only hope of the most literate class and the youth of this country? Isn’t he the most popular leader among expatriate Pakistanis? Despite being so repetitive in his speeches, is he so popular that the media is compelled to show his speeches on a daily basis? Is he seen by his supporters as the only leader who can rid Pakistan of external influences? Has he become a leader who can arrange massive public gatherings on three days’ notice, something that would take others months or weeks to organise? Does he appear to be the only real opposition in this country? Despite poor performance in K-P, is his party still the most popular in that province? If a leader of the stature of Makhdum Javed Hashmi had levelled allegations against any other leader or party, wouldn’t it have destroyed the career of that leader or party?
I think the answer to these questions is a resounding ‘yes’.
That is where the problem lies: in the gulf between the answers to both questions. It is also precisely why Mian Nawaz Sharif should be most concerned about these record public gatherings in terms of numbers, record sit-in in terms of days and the spread of anti-government slogans.
If the answer to the first set of questions was in the affirmative — that is, if Imran Khan possessed exceptional leadership skills and if his party had delivered on the party’s promises in K-P — then one could justify Imran Khan’s growing popularity without blaming Nawaz Sharif. But that is not the case because Nawaz Sharif’s inability to counter Imran Khan has perhaps, been a major factor in the latter’s growing popularity. And this begs the question that why hasn’t the latter been able to respond to politics with his own politics. Why can’t he give a befitting response to his opponents and counter Imran Khan by holding public gatherings, showing his own strength in Peshawar or Lahore?
Why has Nawaz Sharif’s political response been limited to small rallies in Lahore and Faisalabad? Why doesn’t he silence Imran Khan by declaring his and his family’s actual assets? Why doesn’t he come out with all the documentary evidence to assert that he was not involved in any money laundering and also make clear that money transferred to the UK or any other country was done through official banking channels? Why doesn’t his son appear on television and deny Imran Khan’s claim that he lives in a London flat worth Rs800 crores (Rs8 billion)? Why can’t he categorically challenge Imran Khan that he is against nepotism and hereditary politics, or that he has never rewarded people with ministries or official posts due to their family connections? Why can’t he say on the floor of parliament that he is against the use of police or any administrative machinery for political purposes and is a strong believer in merit? Why can’t he respond with evidence that his foreign tours as prime minister have nothing to do with his or his son’s business interests and that they are taken only keeping Pakistan and the welfare of its people in mind? Why can’t he present a ‘performance card’ of his government and tell the nation what achievements have been accomplished with him at the helm for the past 17 months?
When a leader, who has secured 15 million votes just last year, cannot answer his opponents and instead lets them build a narrative through two months of sit-ins and public gatherings, a narrative that sells to the general public and which is gaining popularity with every passing day, can he really blame anyone else for the mess of the last two months?
Sit-ins and public gatherings will not vanish on their own and anti-government slogans will not stop spreading unless a response is given by the government. Mian Sahib will have to sit and resolve the problem amicably, but first, he will have to correctly identify it. If Mian Sahib doesn’t consider it important to develop and present a counter-narrative to the masses, by answering with facts and evidence the questions and allegations raised by his opponents, then he has not identified the problem. And the problem is not Imran Khan and his sit-ins or public gatherings; the problem is perhaps, Mian Sahib himself.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (71)
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@HAROON ASLAM:
What you are getting exposed in todays media 24/7 is also the gift from Gen M....if these politicians were so capable, why they were only patronizing PTV ? give the devil its due !
IK should be saying all these things about Sharif Family before the Elections, not after the election, this clearly shows his political immaturity. Elections have consequences and PTI must know and understand it, otherwise they will become another MQM or JI.
Elections are the documentary / legitimate evidence about the popularity, Should we ask for thumb impression verification for the people who signed off on Pakistan's constitution??
Majority is Always Silent in Pakistan and they always stayed above the influence of Concert style jalsa trend of PTI. I have been to PTI Jalsa and dharna, frankly I saw no substance, about 25% people are there for dating purposes, 25% are there to listing music and enjoy the show, and about 25% are organizers and rest are actual crowd.
PTI won Multan NA149 by 12K votes and that was exactly the margin in 2013.
Only change what every Pakistani felt between 2013 and 2014 is 3G/4G internet speeds, and that is the real revolution and time will come when people realize it. this technology was there back in 2006 when IK and TUQ were having good times with Gen Musharraf.
@Nazia: You do not have to give a list of what they are or what they are not capable of, just a statement that they are both useless for govarnance. Have you an alternative? I guess you would not favour the Canadian Obama as well. Should Pakistanis therefore in your view look for a chaiwala who is a single and has not even visited a madrassa for elemetary schooling?
Rex Minor
I have just returned from one week visit of KPK...it is true that many people are angry with Imran Khan specialy from education department as they have to regularly attend schools now... There is a lot of improvement in Education and Revenue departments...Police department is also performing well...many common people agree that there are visible changes in many sectors of life.
ET please allow this reply since my earlier one apparently got lost in transit.
@saeed: Perhaps my comments are not written in proper english. I am simply a blogger observer. I have no sympathy with politicians. Pakistan problems emanate from its systemic structure which is based on colonial rule and not meant for an Independent Nation!. Reforms are needed in all institutions and what is possible for the Turks or the Germans, the 200 odd million Pakistanis could dachieve it as well..
Rex Minor
The problem is both of them are Sahib and neither of them is willing to compromise as long as their own families are safe and in comfort Neither of these Sahib has worked for a living or had a real job, but live in mansions. Both of them equally in need of power and both of them made premises that nobody can fulfill. Both of them were endorsed and supported by TTP and both of them opposed army action against their Muslim Brothers. Both of them wanted to negotiate with these brutal terrorists. Both of these have no interest in fighting Polio, terrorism, ignorance, hunger and other diseases. Both of them are not making their provinces an example for the other in next elections. Both of them want power at all costs no matter how many lives are lost and the list goes on. There is no difference in ideology both are rightwing parties and both of them have lifetime chiefs of their parties. Both of hem have a dictatorial control over their parties and no dissent is allowed.
@Pappu: Actually, it is 4 flats the sharif family owns in mayfair. Total value is probably $80m. In any case, the value is not important, the question is about the source of the money, as I have posted above...
@Mirza: If you had done a Google search, you would have found out that the price of $80 million for a flat is quite realistic in London. A flat in knightsbridge, kensington and Chelsea area got for circa $100 - 120 million or (£65 to 85 million).
@Gp65: Yes, of course suspicions and guilt are two different things. I've just asked questions, like the author of the article has - not laid any guilt yet. However, In the absence of answers, the suspicions will linger. I don't think an RTI covers private transactions, so that route is not possible. Yes, I don't blame NS for anything wrong his son may have done - there is enough to blame NS on his own!
@Motiwala: Hilariously Written
@Motiwala:
Hilariously written
@Gp65: You are right about the day of Qiyamah. No one will carry the burden of any other person except for their own. Regarding your answer to my explanation. If A and B are enemies that makes it LOGICAL that A could be lying about B. hahaha.....But Sir in this case both A and B are not only having close Governmental positions, they are also Close Relatives. It is very obvious. But then again you will Rightly say that still it does not prove B to be guilty. And B will never be proven guilty coz no one will file a case against him, and if some one does the evident would have been \mistakenly' destroyed, and if that now, the witness would get 'accidently' killed on his way to the court. I know you like to talk with the Law and order in mind. But my friend, if you are UNABLE to prove something as the truth in court, that does not mean that the thing is false.
Go Nawaz Go
Is it really important to answer to all the allegations fabricated by " King of lairs " you answer one then next day he will fabricate another. Its better to be silent rather then jump blame game.Sensible man has really gone fed up of Imran Khan politics of blames , lies and belies. He should get rid of people who are on the left and right of him in every Jalsas and jaloos and dharnas. It is really a shame to see two to three dozens of people sitting and listening to his speech and all the chairs empty.
@sabi: I the his highness PM of pakistan is not answerable to the agitators and masses.then its time we stop claiming the so called " tasalsul of democracy" .
@Mirza: Please do a google search "london one hyde park pent house price". The penthouse at One Hyde Park London is worth MUCH more than the $80 Million figure quoted here. Don't quote prices of poor desi areas :)
I would further like to add that perhaps Mian Sahab was unable to perceive the difference that existed as a result of the change in the mindset of the people - he thought people would sit and finally get tired and leave; little realising that the 24/7 media coverage and initial dissemination of facts and figures to the public will have such a strong impact; the segment that has become mobilised also have a different set of traits; they are mostly educated, well exposed and intellectually sound-a class that had previously isolated themselves with the election process for years; a class that cannot be forced to favour any specific political party on the basis of lollipops; to me this is the major difference as a new segment has awakened and getting mobilised - that certainly is a threat for all those elements whose credibility remains a question mark.
After going through the column I can say with authority that any one can become a Columnist or a TV Anchor having links with proper payable people.
U said it all by urself As truth is within ... NS knws that he didn't got one n a hlf crore votes he knws tht u cme frm some back door into power and to sum it all How ediotic it will be that historian will right this event tht "This all srated frm a demand of recounting of 4 constituencies"
hmmm ...but you see he is not being anything but honest to the country.he speaks by heart and thts y he gets our attention. for the first part,i would say if u dont wanna admire him as a leader than use him as a ladder atleast.
@tauseef rasheed: Nawaz Shareef was voted to improve Pakistan's economy; not to pander to some crying politician who is obsessed with power at all costs. @Muhammad: I have family in KPK too and they will tell you things have gone from bad to worse. There is more lawlessness and disorder under PTI than existed under ANP. Most people don't rely on verbal accounts from biased people because we know Imran Khan did not end corruption in KPK in 90 days. It takes years of hard work to change things; not by dancing in Dharnas and repetitive speeches. Imran Khan and PTI needs to grow up and stop looking for some magic wand he has. By working in the parliament, everything in possible but by have street mob politics, you can only achieve Libya or Iraq or Syria conditions.
Go Nawaz Go
ET mods - all these people have written to me. Please allow a response.
@salman: By all means the question that you posed should be asked and answered and it does seem suspicious but having suspicion and proving guilt are 2 different things don't you think? Why doesn't someone file an RTI (Right to Information) application? Also even if Hassan Nawaz is guilty of doing something wrong you cannot automatically say that the father is part of the crime. That is not how it works in the court of law and from what my Muslim friends have told me that is not how it works at qayamat either. You are held responsible for our own crimes not those of your family members.
@omair shahid:
Actually they have made a declaration of assets. The issue is Imran believes that is not a true declaration of assets. Imran maybe correct about that - I do not know but what if he is wrong? If Let us say you declare your true assets and someone calls you a liar and says you have hidden assets, then how can you prove you don't have it? It is on the other person o prove you have it.
@Raghu: So if a person A gives an affidavit that person B is guilty of money laundering, that proves person B is guilty lf money laundering? No my friend that is not how it works. Person B needs o be tried in a court of law and found guilty. That is the only way to prove they are guilty.
@shahid malik: Agree partially. Having disproportionate assets is a financial crime and the accused needs to be tried in the court. Of course in this case the accused needs to prove source of their funds. India's own sitting CM was convicted for a case that was filed against her 15 years back. As I indicated, I do not know if the family has disproportionate assets. By all means they should be indicted and tried. But trial by media and jalsa is not something I agree with.
@Ranjha
Do not know what your obsession with my nationality is. I say I am Indian because I was orn and raised in India and do nit want to mislead people about my heritage which is relevant in. Indo-Pak context. The hovernment that Rheman Malik was part of was in power for 5 years. If Rehman Malik had proof he was remiss in not trying Sharif in court of law. Using youtube ideos as surrogate for court trials makes little sense.
@Rex Minor:
How long the supporters of these inept and corrupt politicians cry victims? Please stop fooling people by harping "shame gareeban" whenever incompetence and insincerity of our politicians is exposed. One would ask questions as to how come whatever progress pakistan made was made under military rule and how come poor people always suffer under civilian rule? How come musharraf was able to make pakistans economy strong from the verge of bankruptcy in just three years. Musharraf military rule got rid of IMF yet first action civilian take is to run to IMF and get more loans. What is stopping these politicians to reform police and other institutions (infact they destroyed whatever institutions were strengthened during military rule). These civilian who come to power in the name of democracy, first thing they do is to kill grass root level democracy in local bodies. Our so called democracy is famous for never holding any city government and local bodies. Please be loyal to Pakistan and not to these politicians.
@Gp65: Correction: burden of proof is on accused if it is financial accusations. Law has the right to ask you to justify your life style or assets with your income.
For me the reason for not answering to Imran Khan allegations is very simple. Nawaz Shareef believes that he is not answerable to nation as far as his personal wealth is concerned and that is why he is not speaking on the subject. He believes that Pakistani nation has not right to know about whether he earned his wealth through legal means or illegal way. So this attitude confirms that he does not have an honest answer and we all know for obvious reason he can not deny the allegations against him and that is why he is silent on the matter. This should be asked from on regular basis as this is not acceptable anymore that corrupt politicians lead this nation and tell the nation to give sacrifice for the national interest.
@Kashif: the reply to your question is PTI is doing fairly okay in KP. Perhaps, they haven't lived up to all their promises but they are a vast improvement on the ANP. I can't speak for the entire province but the change in Peshawar is obvious to anyone who visits the city from time to time as I do. Roads are much cleaner than before, traffic orderly and the people I have spoken to seem reasonably happy, especially with work in education and health sectors. So even if the PTI government will not get an A, it is definitely doing well enough to get a B+. At any rate, they seem to be doing a better job of it in KP than N league is doing in the Punjab. Mind you, this is PTI's first stab at running a government and they have to work with a coalition. So all in all, I think they are doing well enough for IK to be confident of winning again in KP. Can't say the same for N League in KP.
@Gp65: U have made an amazing point my Indian neighbor. And i have an Amazing reply to your question. What if i tell you that there is an Affidavit which was signed by the current Minister of Finance in the Court records which state that Nawaz Shareef had Laundered money to Foreign Countries. What will be your reply to that my friend? Can you imagine that this document actually exists and when asked, the Minister Finance blatantly says that he had said that statement under pressure in the court that also under oath.
That is why Logical people say "GO NAWAZ GO"
@Rahul: Sir one thing is clear he has not been tested thats why me and many other support him because these 2 parties have destroyed pakistan for many years thats why many people support pti because of this awareness if imran khan after becoming a prime minister doesnt deliver people will throw him out.
I live in Sharjah, UAE and i am from Karachi. Today morning I was involved in a car accident with a bus. After the accident, the bus driver and I parked our vehicles on the side of the road and called the Police. While waiting for the Police, i asked the bus driver where he was from. He told me that he was from Swat, KPK. I asked him how is the condition there, he said the condition is not that good coz of militancy. Then i asked him how is the government of KPK performing. And he said that it is performing Excellent. He said that Police of KPK stopped taking Rishwat, Education had imporoved a lot, medical had improved a lot and he said that this KPK government was "zabardast" meaning Awesome. I knew the answer, but that reconfirmation by that bus driver was Amazing to listen.
@Gp65: sir imran khan have only ask nawaz sharif to declare his and his family assets which he hasnt done.
No No, we dont need NS, Nawaz Sharif please go. We need a technorat government, a civil disobedience, so called free & independent media and champions of democracy Shaikh Rasheed, Ch sahibans and IK. wah wah Good Luck Pakistan!
Totally agreed, it is not the performance of the PTI which is gaining them this popularity, as they have definitely fallen short of whatever promises they made before the elections. Had Noon been performing well, no one would be interested in listening this rhetoric.
@Gp65: In the UK, you can go to the companies house website and download for a few pounds the summary accounts of any company. I did this for flagship enterprises, which clearly show Hassan nawaz as one of the directors. Anyone can do this.
Now in just one year, it shows Hassan nawaz investing about £100,000 into the company. What is the source of this money? Hassan nawaz has never had a job in the UK. The money must have been given to him by someone. Now was this money sent from Pak? And through legal channels? And was tax paid on this money in Pak? Remember this is just one year and one company in the UK. Nawaz can easily show that this money is legal and tax has been paid on it.
It is business dealings with this that IK accuses nawaz off. And this is just one company in UK...nawaz has companies in Saudi as well, run by his other son. Where did the money to start all these companies come from?
So the author's questions are legit in my view...
I really enjoyed the column very nice Khanzada sb God Bless you
Imran Khan is always right and other parlimentarians are all the time telling lies .
Is it a case for the prosecution or for the defence? It is the inability of Nawaz to rise up to the challenge which has made Imran popular. Why don't the two pf them debate with a neutral moderator in the chair. Surely if PM is a seasoned parlimentarian and nothing to hide why not take the bull by the horn and call his bluff.
Very Truly said, PMLN has no idea how to respond, majority of the people think that IK is telling right. and many anchors also know, PM has black money which he is using outside PK. let. This question has to be asked in Tv talk shows where PMLN participate. I',m very much sure along with majority of the ppl, they would not be able to answer.
@Gp65:
First of all, you are not an indian--you are an American.
Second, both Nawaz and Zardari have piles of proofs against each other that they are sitting on without burdening their conscience. When you have some time off from your anti Pakistan, pro Jindal Buddy tirade, watch the BBC documentary callled " From Rainwind to Ilford."you will see a dashing Rehman Malik showing evidence against the Non League with Power Point slides and a laser pointer.
Dear All, this article is very balanced & the conclusion is very correct. It does not need any further commenting. But one thing for sure, IK / TuQ has opened the can of worms & unveiled the abhorrent practices of the people in power & those sitting in the glass house call " Parliament ". " It is a national awakening "....and Mian Sb is on defensive....
@Ch. Allah Daad: LOL! Keep dreaming while the length and breath of the country roars "Go Nawaz Go"!
@Gp65: Excellent points my friend.
Good writing by Author covering almost all 61 days protests events and questions arises in one's mind.................................
Its not wrong but its not the problem of khan sahab and Milan sahab its actually our problem.we just favour our favourite person not right person.we Ned change our mind set.then our problem solved no other path. we must think about on this line.
Good host but for now bad writer. It exceeded my attention span right after reading first paragraph.
Mr. Khanzada sb, you have been in the media for a long time and i admire your conversation but your "WHY" column today seems unproductive with sense and logic. IK moves for dharna without calculating his support from masses, belief on third umpire and now leaving for jalsa with impropriate allegations.
The government or the premier is supposed to build the bridge between offenders to cool down their venoms. IK unmatched and full of hatreds discussion from the first day has force everyone to let him spit out fully. There is no end of allegations for IK to speak late night media show. He can go to all the extend to malign the opponents by verbal communications. The history is full of IK lifestyle when he put under pressure everyone in cricket including his cousin, peers, board, international player and specially media by showing aggressive behaviors.
IK cannot be controlled with logic and discussion. Just imagine he has not fulfilled any of his last 60 days conversations in the media and not a single anchor person can counter discuss with him. He is volcano which can be opened for any one including media persons without logic and ask for reasoning to answer his questions.
Please meet and tell him to show empathy and do not give a lesson of aggression to the young generation which will lead a destructive nation in a few years’ time.
Dear Mr. Khanzada, i would love to know why you say that he hasn't delivered in KP. Probably the promises were extrapolated, but depoliticizing of Police and marked improvement in its performance, noticeable reduction in corruptions, common man's point of view, commendable work in health and education sector, RTI, RTS and many other small small things and that too in the first year of him coming into power and that too in a troubled province such as KP, aren't these points enough to judge his performance?? Regards,
i May not agree with most of what you said about IK ,but one point is right , Despite all the allegations and fuss , PTI's popularity is growing multiple times. This is because we ,the public, see him as a status quo breaker. Look where all these parties have taken us in the last 67 years. it is clear they cannot and will not do anything to make it better.
@ Shazad Khanzada I wish you read my comments , i have stop seeing Pakistani news channnels as they are also one party who really spoil Pakistan Image ... see the whole world how they give negative news about their country. dont go so far learn from neigbr India whose media hide their own insurgency news. Why you guys make a a small issue so big ,,, if there will be a rat going on road and die in accident you will say " See Rats are not safe in Pakistan , OMG :-/ ... Pakistan media is not free actually its has extra freedom
@Muneer: The fundamental issue as I see it is that an elected Prime Minister does not have to respond to a public figure who throws around ludicrous claims and behaves horribly. Whether Imran Khan accepts it or not, Nawaz Sharif was elected by the majority of Pakistanis. That's why he cannot stoop to the street level gutter language of Imran Khan. I don't want to see Nawaz Sharif counter every comment against him by disparaging Imran Khan's children in UK, his ex wife, Imran Khan's assets in UK, who is funding Dharnas while IDPs and Flood victims suffer or an endless list of other questions. The fact that Imran Khan has declared that Nawaz Sharif is the biggest foreign investor in Europe only proved to me how mentally unstable Imran Khan has become. We all know that no matter how much wealth in Pakistan, it is nothing compared to what exists in developed countries outside Pakistan. Even if Imran Khan were to loot every rupee in Pakistan, it would still be less than the money held by the world's richest men who invest in Europe. Throwing about allegations without proof is cheap.
@Zain: All overseas assets of Sharifs are held in the name of off shore companies hence not declared to ECP.
@ET: The next comment being sent separately may not meet your expectations as it is presumably anti-PTI. But in the interests of publishing different perceptions and analysis and in the interest of free speech please publish it. It has nothing against your policy of being relevant and non-abusive. So, kindly consider, thanks.
If PTI is not performing well in KP then why it is the most popular party there ?
Oh, believe me NS has identified the problems, and the problem is that the opposition is telling as it is. NS saw to it that there will be no recounting of votes in the 4 constituencies which IK was demanding initially. He knew very well the final results of the recount. NS went to Saudi Arabia for 10 whole days while his country men were drowning in floods and losing their lives, homes and livelihood. What was he doing there on the backs of tax payers, one has to be naïve not to understand he was involved in business matters. He can not show his real properties and worth because he has not paid taxes on it and it will surely open up the Pandora's box tax wise. He went to New York with all his family and hangers on and who paid for that junket, you guessed it right. NS is the creation of Zia and we can't expect him to be democratic, in democracies the government does not order massacre of 14 unarmed political activists and you neglected to mention that massacre which showed to me how biased you are against IK. What ever you say or any one say about IK, one thing is clear that he did awaken the young generation and people are standing up against the dynastic politics and their heavy handedness. The old guard has looted the country and still doing it unless stopped by the likes of IK and his supporters. People are fed up with the excesses of these corrupt people who has ruled the country one way or other through fraudulent ways and brought it to this stage in the world community. Your article is unacceptable because it is biased, when you neglected to shed some light on that Lahore massacre, I knew then that you are one of those IK bashers. By the way I live in a democratic country far away from my home Mardan and do not support any political or religious parties in Pakistan.
There is a simple explanation. Pakistan loves conspiracy theories and IK is full of them. Problem is, the ability to pull conspiracy theories from thin air can bring down the government, but there is no evidence so far that IK is any better at administration than NS. He may turn out to be far worse
Poor performance in KP? You gotta be kidding me! Only if you had the slightest idea of what they were left to deal with because of the shoddy performance of ANP. KP as well as Balochistan has been the most neglected province. Setting aside political disagreements, we all should appreciate as to how much attention KP is getting since last year or so!
In any election, held today or any time in future, PML(N) will beat PTI with bigger margin than previous elections.
It's interesting when IK says I will bring 1 people to long march with 100k motorcycles in his conclave and he only brings in 10k people 100 bikes we hear it's not about no. However when he holds a rally of 50 or something 100k then it's about numbers. To me IK support is there but it's almost what it was during elections, in fact reduced because of his rigid attitude. NS needs to build a couple yet narrative showing his performance and bYan aging energy crisis and strengthening institutions. He dosent need to respond to IK who is an arrogant narcissistic leader.
I am an Indian and do not know if Imran's allegations are true. Maybe they are. But the author's questions are illogical.
How can anyone ive documentary proof of something that did nit happen( in this case money laundering)?
If the assets are exactly what is claimed and he does not have any undisclosed assets (which is clearly what Nawaz claims) , how could he or anyone else prove he does not have them?
In all judicial systems, burden of proof is on those who make an accusation. It is never for the accused to prove themselves innocent. Suppose I come and say, you stole my money, how can you possibly prove you did not? The onus has to be to prove my allegation.
Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz are elected officials. They have - as per law- submitted their asset details and their dependents (wives and unmarried children) to the ECP at the time of nomination, last and current parliamentary years. They are available on the ECP website !
If you want to dispute those declarations as understated, that's a different issue. Their asset details are public. Why the consistent lie that they haven't declared assets.
this article has alot of questions... i still fail to get the gist of it? what is the purpose of this article?
Truth cannot be denied even by the spinners of PMLN!!
Imran pulled the curtain and showed the nation that the pathetic emperor had no clothes!
Another similarity between these two leaders is their families live in mansions in foreign countries without them having to work for that. In addition I would love to ask the writer where did he get the figure of $80 millions for the price of NS son's flat in London? In this much money one can buy a whole building or a mansion not a mere flat. This number is similar to that which said Pakistanis (all nationals) have $200-300 billions in Swiss bank accounts. The Swiss govt issues the list of assets held by each country's nationals and it was yes take away two zeros! The lies were only hundred times.
The problem is both of them are Sahib and neither of them is willing to compromise as long as their own families are safe and in comfort Neither of these Sahib has worked for a living or had a real job, but live in mansions. Both of them equally in need of power and both of them made premises that nobody can fulfill. Both of them were endorsed and supported by TTP and both of them opposed army action against their Muslim Brothers. Both of them wanted to negotiate with these brutal terrorists. Both of these have no interest in fighting Polio, terrorism, ignorance, hunger and other diseases. Both of them are not making their provinces an example for the other in next elections. Both of them want power at all costs no matter how many lives are lost and the list goes on. There is no difference in ideology both are rightwing parties and both of them have lifetime chiefs of their parties. Both of hem have a dictatorial control over their parties and no dissent is allowed.
The rightful ameerul momineen, the wise and benevolent lion of punjab the heir apparent, the Prince of Wales, the first adopted son of Zia ul Haq. The Standard bearer of the Muslim World. The true owner of palaces in Riyadh, and Medina. The unquestioned owner of estates in England. The proud possessor and traveler on the private plane, provided by the Govt. Of El Bakistan. That also carries bags and satchels of $dollars for deposits in foreign banks. The proud Baba of Maryam, Salman The Businessman....the loving husband of Kalsoom the Innocent. And last but not least the dutiful son of Shamim......[owner of Raiwind Palace]......has no time for these frivolous accusations. They are all conspiracies hatched by the Israelis and Indians and Papuan/New Guineans and Christmas Islanders, and Fijians,.....you see?
Mian sahib has successfully dragged dharna walas to the time line that nullifies powers of some rouge elements in establishment behind the turmoil.Knowing the short span of powers of these rouge elements NS had no other choice but to adopt the policy of-Lo and Behold and it has worked. Media is yes master quickly learning lessons from the plight of those in its ranks who tried not to be yes master. Prime minister is answerable to system not to agitators. Cheers.
It is no fault of Mian Sahib, the relic of the past political leadership who unless were rich, resourceful and rewarding to their cronies from bottom up , the member of provincial or National parliament, a minister or the prime minister, had not the slightest chance of getting into the que!! It was the military who broke the cycle and disturbed the order with the result that incompetent but ruthless came to sit at the helms and the civilians were sent on long leaves. Now the military is out of the race for good, and the old game.had to start from the beginning, Bhutto Zardari followed by Sharif Enterprise. Imran Khan has been in the waiting like Ali Baba with his forty thieves and has been assured that there is no one else in the political arena left with desire to add more to its foreign assets.
Rex Minor
The problem is Mian Sahib himself...and in these six words you have summed it up beautifully. Now when there is a problem it should be fixed......and the fixers are either inept or fence sitters or major beneficiaries of the ' system ' that supports Mian Sahib. So now you have Imran Khan with all his faults left to do the job. The big difference is that people want the job to be done......and the fixers just don't get it ( and I am not advocating martial law )
Nawaz Sharif cannot counter Imran Khan because Khan allegations are true.