I wish the enlightened writer had made the effort to go through the PTI website to develop an informed knowledge base before taking the initiative of writing a scathing critique. Had he gone through the vision, manifesto, constitution, lists of spokespersons and some of the articles on the blog, his conclusions would have been different. Opinion writers are not supposed to have a free run with non-verifiable statements and their contents should be double-checked for correctness and accuracy.
Perhaps the PTI is the only centre-of-left political movement of Pakistan with a socio-economic agenda. It believes in all articles of the Lahore Resolution rather than its selective implementation as made by successive governments for political expediency.
It is the only party that has made Jinnah’s August 11 speech to the Constituent Assembly a cornerstone of its political evolution. Hence, its unique policy of syncretism, political pluralism and instrumentalism and belief that all Pakistanis are equal citizen irrespective of their religion. It would be a surprise for many that the PTI is the only party that does not confine non-Muslims to its minority wings. I am a spokesperson of the party on defence matters and this is on the basis of my competence and not religion.
Somehow most critics have chosen to ignore these realities and pick up Imran Khan on being pro-Taliban and pro-Jamaat-e-Islami. The party’s policy on drones is consistent with the UN Charter of the rights of a nation state and application of human rights and equitable justice. The policy seeks to restore the credibility of a long lost national deterrence and dissuasion that can make us proud as a nation. In no way does the PTI support militancy. All it does is attack its root causes militancy.
Brigadier (retd) Samson Simon Sharaf
Member CEC
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Published in The Express Tribune, August 12th, 2011.
COMMENTS (46)
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@MM:
musharraf!!
I am a PhD and I know hundreds of PhDs who will vote for IKhan.
@ uza sayed: i am honestly trying to understand how did you come to the point that Imran khan is the second incarnation of Mahatir? Has he been ever elected as premier for 20 years or his policies, agenda or actions recommend so? Or perhaps you are SEER, CLAIRVOYANT, something?
awesome response!!!
The fact that there is no minority wing within PTI defines a mindset that no other political party possesses. PTI 's first step towards "equality" is a welcomed move. What we need is a Pakistan were each caste, religion, denomination, race enjoys equal rights. Not a quota system where many Universities provide 1 seat for minorities.
Somehow I always feel no one takes Imran Khan seriously, but let's Hope for a better Pakistan.
I will VOTE for PTI. InshAllah, God's willing, they will change the destiny of this country.
PTI stands for Justice, Self Esteem and Humanity. More than traditional politics we are interested in Social, Economic and Political Reforms.
We have a team of experts on Economics and Political Economy that shall set the pace in the first 100 days for a sustainable, home grown and export led growth. The entire taxation system will be automated. We will concentrate on the grass roots and rejuvenate our small scale industrial sector. Market elasticity will be used to control prices and elbow out profiteers and middlemen.
The entire irrigation system from the Heads downwards will be made more efficient. The provincial shared of water will be engineered for optimum efficiency. Cropping patterns will be altered according to yield, soil and climate. The major thrust will be on Wheat, Maize, Sugar, Cotton and Rice.Our scientists have already developed high yield strains.
Though gone unnoticed and because it is not our policy to market the misery of people for political advantage, suffice to say that much of the bumper wheat crop in the flood affected areas of Pakistan is due to the free seed distribution and on farm guidance of IKF/PTI efforts.
I can go on and on. Suffice to say, we are ready. How? We will disclose it at the right time.
Cheerios
@Nadeem Ahmed:
"@ MM and Ahmed Malik, please vote for Musharaf. Imran in his entire political career did one thing right when he supported Musharaf."
Imran supported the Idea of a non political person holding free and fair elections via independent election commission and credible voters list. That never happened. So support was for a false hope not Musharraf himself.
@Nadir El-Edroos Yes we have read it, the education emergency is more than enough to stuff any critics mouth. Now I think you and Saroop should give a thought about surfing into insaf.pk
@Mr. Samson Sharaf
Respects to your humility and your service to the country.
We need to understand that the problem is not the individual rather its the system as it allows men to make laws on the basis of majority. There is no right and no wrong, its a system where 51% decide what's correct and what's incorrect.
The only way forward for Pakistan is the re establishment of Islamic state which doesn't allow any law making on the basis of majority. This state enabled muslims to rule the world for centuries, this state produced high quality scientists, state of the art architecture and buildings, and provided such degree of peace and prosperity to people that has never been thought of .. yes, I am talking about "The Khilafah" .. The only way to glory!
So many comments, but can someone tell me what the socio-economic agenda of the PTI is rather than telling me to listen to his speeches or read PTI's manifesto as I am sure many of you have done.
And no I dont believe Nawaz Sharif or Zardari are any better, and I wouldnt vote for them. This isnt a zero sun game where if you are against PTI you are pro PPP, PML-N etc.
I would vote for Imran Khan at the next election.At least he speaks truth to the public and has a consistent policies ever since he has entered in Pakistani politics .I want to see rule of law in the country.We do not want the sham democracy as we are seeing today.
@Uza Syed: This malaise is attributable to a sickness syndrome endemic to supposedly well read people firing from the hip blindfolded.
Unfortunately you have fallen prey to the same syndrome as others. Searching my full name on any search engine and youtube would have helped you form a clearer picture, what I do and my small contributions to the many causes of Pakistan. Lets leave it here because it is a trivial matter.Yet I would like to know, who gave you the information that I am a paid employee of PTI.
PTI as "center-of-left"??? you must be kidding me... the only difference between jamat-i-islami plus other religious parties is that the Kaptaan doesnt have a beard..
Still awaiting Mr El-Edroos's reply. Impatiently.
@ MM and Ahmed Malik, please vote for Musharaf. Imran in his entire political career did one thing right when he supported Musharaf.
@Nadir El-Edroos: @Uza Syed: Cant you see how wonderful Mr. Khan is. A christian being spokesperson for defence in Tehrek e Insaf. I respect him more now.
@Uza Syed The sick people like you are always here to misguide the mango people. Agenda of PTI is very loud and clear, if you dont know, ask your younger brother, he would explain you better. When the music, poetry and columnist starts discussing the single thing, then mind it that you are passing through an era that would be written in history as Golden n always Glowing. So its up to you now, you wanna sit at your laptop and be an audience or a clapper at your best. Or you wanna be a do-er. Join Now..
@Nadir El-Edroos People are being made misread, like the Saroop Ejaz did it with you. So focus on Brigadier (Retd) Samson Simon Sharaf's point that always trust on the authentic and official pages. Dont believe how electronic n print media portray it, just go officially, meet some one, listen Imran Khan directly or give a visit to insaf.pk. Stay vigilant.
The smear campaign against PTI has strengthened my resolve to attend the Azadi Dharna on 13th. I'll go there all the way from Lahore -- previously I was unsure but looking at how Imran is threatening the corrupt status-quo and their paid minions, I've had a change of heart.
Imran should first secure his own seat he should know our voters have fixed mindset so he stands no chance
Yes please, who should we vote for?
People are very ready to insult Imran Khan, yet with no concrete reasoning either. Tell me of the top of your head, did the current govt win based on their agenda for the nation? Did their ideas move the nation to vote passionately at the polls for the party that would save their country? Or did they win SOLELY on the sympathy of voters for the murder of BB? I think we all know that the last statement is the truest one.
And it's not just them. This is how politics works. Imran Khan learned this in the past and is applying it by not dwelling on issues that are hard for people to engage with - he's looking at the fundamental principles of governance in a corrupt and hypocritical society, and addressing those issues as the core areas where people demand change - and he's right in doing so.
Elections are not won by socio-economic programs. They are won by understanding the people and giving voice to their concerns.
And what does Mahatira have to do with Imran Khan? For you to suggest dictatorship in this context is absolutely absurd.
Please wake up! Otherwise you will just be part of the movement to crush the people's choice in this election. There are plenty of members of the elite who will try and stop IK from winning because it just simply doesn't PAY them enough to have honest governance in this country.
Mohatir was not a dictator...he was a democratically elected. served 22 years as prime minister. get your basic facts straight.
His opposition allege him dictator on occasion that he declared Malaysia as Islamic state. That's It. and he gracefully stepped down.
He did not have any corruption or scandals. His era saw economic boom. This is qualities Imran quotes to prove that "a country can exist/develop/progress without aid"
@Nadir El-Edroos and @Uza Syed
Its easy to speak against someone sitting behind the monitor. Have you not read the 100 day action plan? Grow up guys. He is the only hope for leadership in Pakistan. You masterminds have someone better so tell us.
I think this is not the way to write comments in a public social forum,,,,, we should respect others and above all Brig. sab is our elder,,,,, we can disagree with his political views but we dont have any right to say anything personal,,,, And from all of you I would like to just ask one question regarding our current situation,,,,, If you think that Imran is not capable of taking pakistan to a safe and progressive position then who else is there who can do this,,,,,, ?????
@Nadir El-Edroos okay PTI is a failure, why don't you enlighten us on the agenda of what has been going on for the past three years? Actually, why don't you tell me who you're going to be voting for come election time. Oh yeah, right, you're the guy who will sit in his air-conditioned office and just criticize everyone. It's okay, keep it up, people like you are culturally necessary.
Dear all , the agenda/manifesto of PTI is to make Pakistan a social modern welfare state! where all the citizens belonging to any race/sect have equal respect & rights, where there is rule of law & provision of justice to a common person,responsibility of the state!
@MM: I think Zardari again, No? afterall he give us a peaceful Pakistan :), These people are the pain for Pakistan, i wish and pray that inshaALLAH Imran Khan win in next elections and am sure gonna cast my FIRST ever vote to PTI along wid my family, inshaALLAH.
@Nadir ...this is what exactly the brig has said that opinion makers should read into political parties menifesto and policies before writing some mind of analysis..I'm sure if he hasnt read the 100 days plan of PTI then how can he know what agenda they have. @Uza..Pakistan is democracy where everyday rich is getting richer and poor getting poorer..where small gets punished and big criminals gets rewards..i dont need such democracy..I need justice even if means Mahatir coming to rule us.
@Nadir El-Edroos: Why is it PTI fault if the Pakistan Liberal Media distorts PTI message ? it the job of the electorate to find the truth what is this socio-economic agenda PTI ? go and watch Imran Khans many interviews that will tell but to summarise its the opposite of Nawaz sharif and zardari. People know PTI is a good party , people are only against it either because they are too close to established old order or they are desi liberals
@MM..well you have all the luxuary of options in pakistan..choice is yours..if you want more corruption and dont want pakistan to progress in any field vote for PPP..if you want a goverment where no one pays tax and leader it self with billions of assets outside paksitan you can chosse PML N..if you want this country to go into civil war with fights between ethinicities then you can chosse MQM or ANP..and there are many more parties in the line to have there turn man go ahead and contribute towards the downfall of this country..@Nadir and Uza..When ever I see people like you I just think how blind our people have become these days..becuase this guy Imran khan is not a hypocrate..becuase he is honest, patriotic and passionate towards its country..and he possess the charaters of a person who does not resemble any thing like a pakistani corrupt and sick polititian so he does not qualify for a person to lead this country..what kind of proof you need after PPP and PML N goverment of 3 and half years that this country needs change..I think you are the one who are not affected with..highest inflation in the history..highest unemployment rate..economic disaster..terrorisam and violince across the country..sovereignty shatterd.pakistani image distroyed all over the world..Increase in poverty..load shedding like hell..corruption spreading like a cancer all over the pakistan..and many many many more things..A comon man on the street will give you very appropriate answer to your comments as if they want change or not..Imran khan is the leader who can turn this country into progress..give him a chance..only then your are eligible to criticise him if he will not deliver..by the way what are you opinions about the policies and plans of PPP and PML N other parties can you eleborate that alsoo..and what they have given to pakistan in there past goverments...IK is the last hope other wise God Bless pakistan..
Completely agree with Simon. After reading the Saroop Ejaz’s article I thought the same that his guy knows nothing about PTI politics.
@MM
I guess they want you to vote for Nawaz Sharif or Zardari :) Good Luck with that.
@Uza,
Have some decency to show some respect to the people you disagree with. What we are interested in are the economic policies of Malaysia and the fight against corruption in Singapore. Lets take the best from everyone, even our enemies if it is beneficial to us. So dont confuse the issues. The current democracy in Pakistan is NOT democracy by any definition. 40 million bogus votes and NRO are clear evidence of that.
I really want to hear the answer of MM's question! i am pretty sure they think zardari aur nawaz sharif are better!
Nice articulation by Brigadier sb, PTI has a vast scope to entail all religions, all sections of society. The party's ideology based on justice simply outsmarts it from the rest of lot based on fake slogans. We believe in ideology and not in personalities and PTI has given us the lost ideology.
@MM: I second that. I want to know who to vote for.
@Nadir El-Edroos and @Uza Syed. Your analytical remarks have persuaded me not to vote for PTI in next elections. Who do you suggest, I should vote for next time?
@Nadir El-Edroos: This Brig Saab is a small employee of Imran Khan, don't ask too many questions here, otherwise this retired man will be relieved of this job as well. As far as PTI is concerned its agenda is single point and that is to have Imran Khan installed, by any means, and let his dream of playing recycled version of Mahatir here. Anyone who has any knowledge about the dictator Mahatir must come forward and inform our innocent and ignorant youth about the dictatorial regime and its brutalities in his country, nothing worth copying and forcing on us. Pakistan is a democracy which Malyasia never was and would not be as long as Mahatir's left overs have access to power there.
Brig saab if people are misreading PTI's political communication then that's PTI's fault. Since when is the onus on voters to elaborate on what a political party is saying. Again you have proved the authors point, what is this socio-economic agenda that you like other PTI officials allude towards but offer no details on??