Strategic choices: Aamir Sohail joins PML-N
Well placed sources in the PML-N told The Express Tribune that former Test captain Aamir Sohail was asked to join the party after a survey of youth revealed that PTI’s popularity hinges on Imran Khan’s career as a cricketer.
Sohail on Thursday announced that he was joining the PML-N in the ‘national interest’. Sources said that a survey taken under Khawaja Saad Rafique revealed that 80 per cent of the youth that joined PTI did so because they were fans of Imran Khan, the cricketer.
(Read: Imran Khan: From cricket hero to Pakistan leader?)
Sources said Rafique then recommended Sohail’s name as a counter to Khan’s popularity amongst youth.
Sohail, speaking with The Express Tribune, said that he had joined PML-N to help the country out of the current crisis. He said Nawaz Sharif’s interest in sports and his manifesto had also attracted him. He said Khan was inexperienced and could not lead the country out of crisis. Comparing Sharif and Khan, he said, the former was experienced and had a clear manifesto on how to bring the country out of the current quagmire while the latter was inexperienced and had no policy prescription. PTI Central Information Secretary Omer Sarfarz Cheema told The Express Tribune that Sohail’s entry in PML-N would not dent the PTI’s youth vote bank. He said no force would defeat the PTI in the next general election.
PML-N’s Central Information Secretary Senator Mushahidullah Khan told The Tribune that Khan would soon be exposed as someone furthering the agenda of the “establishment”. He said in 1997 Khan had demanded 50 seats from PML-N but the party offered him 10 seats. Khan, he said, had rejected the offer and decided to contest the election independently. He added that Sohail was as popular amongst the youth as Khan was.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2011.
COMMENTS (74)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1730959638-0/trump-(19)1730959638-0-165x106.webp "article")
What happend if imran fail to run the govererment after he won thw election as far as his career concern he is not winner of every match he palyed as captain
everybody is entitled for their opinion fine but one thing people cant see imran khan says he would wipe out corruption in 100 days guys plz ask him about the plan he has got. there is no way corruption could be wiped out in hundred days. he is just a facade created by the agencies.aamir for sure is an honest man and he will never sell himself. he mentioned pakistani sports to be back on track never said cricket and he said pakistani sports people should be given enough to support themselves. did he ask for anything for himself no.so respect his views. he wants to give them a road map. he left cricket board himself he could have tagged along like javaid miandad and othrs but he did not he is a forth ight human being.
This is ridiculous now Sharief Brothers are playing dirty by joining Aamir Sohail in the club of nasty group just for the sake of spoiling Imran Khan's vote bank and expecting Aamir Sohail to perform that role if Aaamir do that then its shame for him as well that he had joined PML-N. He will loose his popularity only because of he is supporting those who had stood Pakistan/us at current stage. (* Aamir sorry for you; You will always be remember as traitor of Pakistan and its people and will loose ur image and respect by joining hands with other traitors) Feel pitty for Aamir Sohail
If Aamir had joined PTI, then he would have been second famous person beside Imran in entire PTI. One thing which astonishes is that why a single national cricketer has not joined PTI.
A 25 year old person wouldn't remember Imran Khan playing days because he or she would be too young when he played. So the logic that youth supports Imran Khan because he was a cricketer makes no sense. If this logic was true 50 year olds would've made bigger PTI supporters.
Only reason why the youth supports Imran Khan is because they are more perceptive to the message of change then the older generation
@Shah Rukh, you are right, Imran Khan is much better than Nawaz Sharif. but only as a cricketer, unfortunatley in next one or two years,, we are not having any cricket match. It will be a political match and in game of Politics, there is no comparison between Nawaz Sharif and Imran, Nawaz Sharif will not allow Imran to improve his previous score of just one run.
Aamir Sohail is not only a former cricketer but also a good Analyst and ultimately an intelligent person. He has a good view on today's Political and Economical Situation. And his decision of joining PML-N is appreciable, because only PML-N have the team who can give direction to the country's Economy and well being. Imran khan is good person, but we should see and face the facts, he has no team and i think you should have teams for the country's Economical, Industrial, Political, Foreign Policy, Interior Management, Health and Education departments. So i am asking a question from all What Imran Khan has???? are there any Researchers, Scholars, Politicians, Economical Think tanks, Health and Educational experts in PTI ???
I think anwer will be NO. And one man cannot handle the whole country. And when you search all these in all political parties, only PML-N has all of them. Pmln have the workout, research and Implementation process... so we should support ....
Amir sohail PMLN Imran Khan PTI Sarfaraz Nawaz MQM
So next time we'll see which political parties fighting for the chairman PCB position.
If imran khan can be neutralized by Aamir SOhail, then Allah hee khair karey PTI ka!!!
I think anybody who supports PML (N) or PTI would agree that another term for the PPP is the worst thing that can happen to this country. If these two parties continue to spend their energies fighting each other this is exactly what is going to happen. I hope some sense gets into the leadership of both parties before the elections and they find a way to co-exist and block the real threat that looms large.
@fabclub.......sorry that he did not get an advice from you.
can't stop laughing!!
So after retirement our cricketers' career paths either go to "tableeghi jamaat" or a "syaasi jamaat". Wonder why Ijaz Butt got stuck with cricket to ruin our nation =(
P.S. is PML-Q already talking to Ventakesh Prasad through their "mafaahmati policy"?
Good move by PMLN;he is a little bit rude,but at the same time he is not corrupt. Good addition to politics.I congratulate Sohail for joining PML(N) and demands him to work hard for the betterment of sports in pakistan.I hope he will do it elegantly.His views are more authenticated than Imran Khan!
Are we now selecting politicians based on their career as a sportsperson? It seems that politics in Pakistan revolves around personality cults, not policies and agendas.
Good news for PML-N ---.Nawaz has an opening batsman and even an opening bowler against Imran Khan.
Wouldn't' it be super-duper if Javed Miandad joins Nawz League.It would add to his strength as a cricketer as well as corrupter of our country.
Aamir Sohail to counter Imran as a popular cricketer! What a joke!
PML N must have tried to lure someone better but wouldve caught hold of Aamir only. Aamir denting the youth votebank? This is daydreaming, if anything.
No youth even cares who Aamir is.
I think we all missing one bitter reality imran khan is gainning good reputation amoung voters but it will help PPP and PML Q Because imran khan is anti nawaz sharif and sharif brothers vote bank suffer the situation will out of 100 twenty five vote to imran khan 25 vote to N-league and balance vote to PPP AND MQM OR PLL-Q By there seat adjustment formula be realistic imran khan not get all 100 vote
There is no doubt about that Amir was a good player and he has a good prestige amongst the youth like Khan but keep in mind that Khan is the person who gave world cup to Pakistan. PML N has done a good move but to gain the vote bank of youth like Khan they need a lot of efforts. It is also a fact that youth likes Imran Khan more as crickter rather than a politician and Khan alos dont have the strong and competitive team to run the political system of Pakistan. But I also personally wants a big change now in the political system and Khan should be given the chance to lead Pakistan's politics. Best of luck Imran Khan...May GOD give you strength to fight with the corrupted system of Pakistan....
@Bill: well said :) What will become of Raja zafarul haq now :)
@bholoo:
This makes absolute sense! Good thinking
It simply shows the fear of popularity of IMRAN KHAN
LOL Afridi was right. He is a 'ghatya' insaan.
There's no comparison. Imran Khan is a legend who managed to win the world cup and he a hot head who buckled under pressure in the quarterfinal in Bangalore. He practically gave his wicket away. They should actually get Sarfraz Nawaz who is more close in ethos to Naql League than Amir Sohail.
i think amir sohai impressed by (pmln) when he participated javaid ch's programme (kal tak) with ahsen iqbal the (pmln leader),anyhow i dont like this, Amir should join Imran khan so that both former captains may clean bold the corrup government.
Seeing Imran Khan's ever increasing popularity among the broad masses of people, the nawaz camp has brought in aamir sohail to counter Imran Khan and stem his popularity. A weak captain against a heavy weight captain. Undoubtedly, Aamir Sohail spoke against the corruption in both players and the board- a limited fight from drawing room while Imran Khan the great is exposing the corruption of tried and rejected politicians including nawaz sharif and the present rulers including Zardari in big public meetings. Aamir Sohail better not involve in dirty game and malign Imran Khan. Make sure that the nawaz camp doesn't use you (AS) for this dirty game.
This reminds me of the saying, " Jaisi Rooh, Waisaa Farishtaa "
These PMLN are a bunch of jokers really.
well, Aamir sohail deserve pakistan tehreek i Insaf.. i personally like him halot as a personality coz he always speak truth.\ but he joined a corrupt party, that is a wrong decision from him, he should think about this, His right place is pakistan tehreek i insaf
Imran Khan is much better than Nawaz Sharif.....
Aamir sohail is probably inspired by N taxi scheme
I don't think Sohail has to offer anything to Pakistan. I'm still voting for the original 'captaan' : ). Long live Imran Khan.
Aamir, you must read this article - you must do the right thing for yourself and for the good of your people. Please open your eyes my friend!
http://www.thefrontierpost.com/?p=42543
A shrewd decision considering his IQ level but he doesn't realize that the time has come for the people of Pakistan to wipe out this juggernaut of political mafias !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Aadersh: He is one of the biggest critics of Imran Khan ... I think, PML-N will use him to level allegations against him ... MQM lured Sarfraz Nawaz for the same reason :)
Your Decision Amir :) You're 'free' to Join Anyone. Democracy Prevails!!
The only reason Nawaz Sharif invited Aamir Sohail into his party is to neutralize Imran Khan. Nothing else. Aamir Sohail has been a criticizer of Imran Khan on and off the field. Dirty politics Mr. Nawaz Sharif
Great decision...It will bring diversity in PML N.
Anyone seeing one potential use Aamir Sohail would be of to PML n, some serious defaming allegations against IK, being former team mate would lend some "credibility" to these allegations? Or it it me only?
He was good with post match Expert's Opinion, i thought he speaks sense but this is a senseless decision. Sigh!! Serving your own prejudices.
Sohail has joined a drowning boat. No one needs the help of a political party to "serve" cricket. He can open an academy and train young people. IKhan has made SKMCH and NAMAL on his own responsibility.
For me its a bad decision, nawaz and all his fellows who are playing with destinies of pakistanis are sinking now. He should have joined PTI.
New style of emerging to get the top position, if not any provincial or national seat,atleast to get place of Ijaz butt..in coming future,,,,,hahaha but he do not know PML.N no more to come in power..
@ Aadersh, Imran Khan has no party, its one man show and that man is hiding these days.
Amir Sohail was a very rude and short tempered cricketer. Like Imran Khan, this guy has no manners and there is no place for him in politics. He must have tried to join PTI, but Imran cannot tolerate anyone famous in his party.
a use less party and a pathetic decision
Great,... PMLN zindabad!
imran khan in leading pti, sarfaz in mqm, now aamir sohail in pml - n salman butt should go for PPP
Sohail wants good position in PCB IF PML N comes in shower or power...nothing else
It is his decision to do it
He's going to lose any credibility he had.
A Very good decision from Aamir Sohail...
well, not a good decision. i m sure Amir Sohail will soon realize. As he is an angry man so i m sure he left the party with a Qurral.
Ahan...surprisingly he didn't join Imran's PTI...
I got this impression when he said in a political show that we need experience poltical party not new one...wah amir sahab we got some respect for you among us....but now lost...what a mess have you selcted for yourself...
Aamir, before you accept anyone as your leader and pledge your allegiance to him, check his integrity. If nothing else, ask Nawaz Sharif to give you a reconciliation statement of his assets over the last 15 years. Nawaz may have done you a favour or two, or even promised to, but is he an honest man? It is easy to do favours using ill-gotten resources - do you really want to be beholden to such a person? Think!
@muhammad haris: This is the sadest part that another party which is tried and tested twice, with no hierarchal changes what so ever is considering to be the next ruling party of this country !!!!! pity on the poor and villagers those have no other options due to the immense political pressure, and shame on those who have other options by still selecting these corrupt parties. Shame on U guys !!!!! Shame on us as a nation !!!! Amir Sohail wants to be the next "Ijaz Butt" , in the next goverment if PML(N) gets selected. Clever move by a clever person !!!!
Why has cricket become so politicised, Why cant we have an independant cricket board free of politics and political influences administered independantly by professionals and its own board. Why does every new political party in power have to bestow its man on top. this is ruining cricket and amir sohail's move is another seed in its destruction.
Its a very poor decision from a famous cricketer, we dont think so that it will last a long , as PML N's boat is sinking now , nawaz league dont have legal agenda , its now only a talkative party nothing more , no any action plan, its because they are enjoying the bigger share of this country as his brother is chief minister of punjab and holds almost 15 to 20 ministries himself . Aamir sohail must think again to join any political party , its not matter to share your view point on any single match , but in politics he has to face a new match every day.
This show the level of intellect of Mr. Aamir Sohail. Mr. Nawaz Sharif has experience but it is experience of failure. Good attempt to get something big in Cricket board. But who knows what would happen on election day with PML-N.
So PMLN gets a new opening batsman :-)
@muhammad haris: New ideas new thinking
highly appriciated
it is very good for pml n that party is gaining popularity amoung the people it means that people think that miyan nawaz sahrif and his party pml n is right choice for them. but what is the role of amir sohail in pml n and in the pakistani politics.this is the main question
is there nothing for him in the Pakistan Cricket Board now?Bold decesion for the bright future in the PCB.
Abdul Rauf khan