Is Imran Khan the real deal?

As long as injustices are kept at bay from his people and his home, Imran Khan remains silent.

Saarysh Zuberi November 05, 2011
In 2008, America thought electing an African-American president was the solution to all its problems. “Yes, we can” became the order of the day. More than his policies, it was the colour of Obama’s skin that grabbed people’s attention — not just in America, but the world over. Everyone figured a black man in office would “obviously” look out for the American underdog.

Today, the average American sentiment towards Obama, and what the country is now terming his “failed policies”, overshadows any sympathy that may have voted him into power in the first place.

Which brings me to Imran Khan. Popular with the masses (read: youth)? Check. Question is, why?Ask the average charged up 22-year-old why he’s so passionately updating his Facebook status to “Imran Khan will change things” and you’ll be rewarded with a stare that implies, “Are you stupid? He’s the only one who can change things around here.” Again, I ask, what makes you say that? The person looks stupefied. “Who needs reasoning when it’s so painfully obvious?”

Forget that he once supported the referendum which put Musharraf in power – a man who Imran himself later termed “a conman”, making sweeping statements such as “Musharraf first, all else second”. Forget that he’s flat out rejected the very notion of Talibanisation in Pakistan saying there’s “no such thing”. Let’s also forget that two years ago, when he kept pushing for mid-term elections, the PTI didn’t even have its manifesto ready.

But let’s not forget, just yet, how he never spoke out against the MQM — up until May 12, 2007. Why May 12? Because that’s when his own people came in the line of fire.

So basically what he was telling us at that point in time was, as long as the injustices are kept at bay (from his people, his home) he was willing to stay mum on an issue (let’s call it that) he supposedly considered “wrong” to begin with.

Sounds a lot like “Imran Khan [and his people] first, all else second”.
WRITTEN BY:
Saarysh Zuberi An independent filmmaker, currently working as a sub-editor at the National desk of The Express Tribune.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (53)

Rida Khan | 12 years ago | Reply p.s @Salman ... I think its more like "Captain when Pak won the world cup, make personal sacrifices for the sake of his country, abandon his riches (Atleast not illegally obtained) and comforts for the greater good whenever needed, always keeps his word" Imran Khan
Rida Khan | 12 years ago | Reply In total agreement with @Raja Islam And @Salman Orangiwala ...Corruption is the least I could have said. Its certainly not 'getting carried away'
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