Answering a question posed on CNN-IBN, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that if he comes to power, he will be General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani’s boss.
In a video named “Army, ISI will be under me if I'm the PM: Imran Khan,” show host Karan Thapar questioned Khan whether he has the courage to challenge the army and uphold civilian supremacy.
Khan strongly states that “I have never, ever been controlled by anyone.”
Khan further explained that his agenda is to bring the Army under him and make the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) report to him directly.
Video rating: Thumbs up for adhering to civilian rule.
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COMMENTS (70)
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Yaar talk about quoting someone out of context. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izjDmgvipTo see the unedited part from 6:34 onwards
What the poor guy always adds to this point is that if he's unable to control the forces and ISI and they are interfering in his government's affairs, he'll simply resign. Toh there's nothing wrong in expressing your principles and beliefs, no matter how funny they look to you and me, u cant deny that what he's talking about should be exactly the way things should go in Pakistan. Imran Khan is really a man of principles because his political record speaks for it, so no joke sir.
Yes he will be...he always think larger then reality as he is a idealist and he proved it...May your dream about Pakistan come true may you live long Sir Imran Khan.
Rather than have him merely say that before he is in power, I would like him to ACT like he is the COAS' boss when he is actually in power.
Hey guys, you can't blame him for dreaming a bit. What does he smoke these days?
@gp65:
Most likely this young boy is a young army officer himself who has been deluded to think that Army is a pillar of the state. Army is only under a civilian govt in all ADVANCED and CIVILIZED nations of the world.
Only in countries like Pakistan it has the upper hand and a lions share in Budget
ROFL.....have a cramp from laughing too hard
Criticism for the sake of criticism is rather lame. The only relevant question here is how is he going to ensure the military doesnt undermine him, and i think the answer to that is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo7CNtJtn7I (ignore the title).
What now remains to be seen is if he follows through on what he says IF and when he gets into power. And that can only be 'seen' once he is in power.
How exactly is he going to be Kayani's boss? I bet he has no clue himself. Hes just saying things which people like to hear, hoping that'll get him votes.
I am an Indian and had been a great fan of Imran Khan the cricketer and an admirer of Imran the philanthropist. I considered him a lightweight politically. However the 1 hour interview to Karan Thapar on CNN IBN India is extremely courageous. Though it was on an Indian channel and in English which is not widely understood in Pakistan, it still look a great amount of courage to say the things he did - on civil military relations within Pakistan, approach to Kashmir resolution, approach to terror emanating from Pakistan etc.
As impressed as I am, I will be even more deeply impressed if he says these same things on a Pakistani TV channel in Urdu.
After all, integrity is not just about financial integrity but also about intellectual integrity. What he tells Indians about India and terror emanating from Pakistan and Kashmir should be the same thing he tells people in Pakistan whose leader he hopes to be. I hope he can do that and I wish him every success,
If I was Imran, I would make exactly the same statements. He is setting the agenda. How that agenda will be acieved comes NEXT- NOT NOW. He will figure that out at the right time. he doesn't have to copy US style electioneering where you hae to give ecery detail of yoru approach. Because if he does that many will not vote for him. He 1st needs to secure power then bring change in tidbits so that all the forces are not arraigned against him at the same time. Since the guys who had been using democracy to sustain themelves will loose at the hands of Imran using thei rown tool democracy, the guys will have only 2-3 choices when he strts prosecuting corruption and exposing all the secret corrupt- they will either create an event to divert attention from themselves or get him illed or do something to undermien democracy. If Army overthrows him, he will become immensely popular around the world (even more) and will get both both political and material support from all over the world. He will come back with more force. So if he makes these statements now, they sound humerous but he is also setting expectations.
Pity we still use the word Boss. In other countries, only dogs have a boss. People work with each other rather than under/over. There was no need to use the word Boss, unless there is an itch to invite trouble for the sake of applause from the mass or the western media.
@Young Boy: "Army is one Pillar of Country as PM or Judicary. All pillars are equal. no 1 is bigger or smaller"
In most democracies, army is NOT equal to the legislative, executive and judiciary branches of government. Armyin fact reports to the executive ranch (i.e. President in USA, France, PM in UK or India).
So if Pakistan wants to become a true democracy, nit will need to have the army report to the civilians. If Imran is elected with a large enough mandate and can accomplish that , more power to him.
@Young Boy: You elect a govt so that the govt can tell the army what it needs to do and when. The govt. also decides how much money should be allocated to the army. The army must come under the govt. Your whole logic is flawed. If all the pillars are equal who runs the country. We all agree the army is important but it is not for the army to rule and take part in political and economic policy. Our politicians unfortunately are also not very educated but a person in an army is not fit to formulate rational and long term policy that actually helps the people.
First FEW analysts (like Nazir Naji) said that Imran is pro-establishment and now after this recent statement, analysts are saying that Imran is politically IMMATURE for issuing such a statement
These are appreciable words!
@Young Boy: Army is a pillar of the state? Yea, only in Pakistan
lol
hahahaha a nation of critics and cynics. No wonder you are where you are. It seems that since your intention are not good about your country you assume that everybody else is the same too. Let the man try atleast. Although with a nation like you...i think he should just quit politics and live his comfy life. He is crazy to want something better for you lot.
This is what should happen...otherwise we will stay in same mess....
i love imran ideas
Imran khan is great
I don’t know if Imran has ever heard about “maiden-meditation-fancy-fare”.
imran khan zindabad
I think he is getting way ahead of himself here!!! There is still an election to go in around a year or so!!!
One public rally/meeting (successful) & all this talk, I wonder if he wins a couple of seats in Pakistani election, then what? Maybe President of USA???Who Knows?????
A more balanced/prudent/statesmen person would not be going around giving such statements. It is always better not to count your chicken before they are hatched!!!
watch what you wish for, because all his other bosses take direction from him....
@Taimoor:
Taimoor, that is the most apt description of the current state of affairs that I've seen. Totally agree with you.
@Ava: Actually they should be discussed in public. Covert policies have done pakistan enough damage and Pakistan is known as double-faced. As far as dealing with Army and other things is concerned, Zardari government is trying to do it secretly while Imran wants to do it openly. If Imran wants to tackle military, he needs to develop a public mindset before he comes to power. If Imran is being honest people think he is being naive. This is a new beginning in politics where a leader is upfront with his nation. Media can ask him questions openly on behalf of pakistani nation and criticize him openly. He responds to criticism with honest answers rather than giving obscure views trying to confuse people.
@Ali Tanoli: "At least he saying this what about others and its happened all over the world in u.s.a president clinton try to control CIA and what happened to him we all know…"
For someone who claims to live in the US, you are remarkably ignorant about US ways. The CIA chief reports to the civilian government - no 2 ways about it. Even current CIA chief has been appointed by the US president.
Not sure what you think happened to Clinton. HE served his 2 full terms. In US Presidents are not allowed to serve 3 terms or else due to economic growth that he brought, he would have won for the 3rd time.
Even in India RAW reports to the home minister who is a civilian in the cabinet. Everyone in India knows who the home minister is. {practically no-one knows who the chief of RAW is. This is different from Pakistan where people not just know who the current ISI head is but the past5 ISI heads are.
So - unlike what you believe it is quite common in democracies wether India or US for the intelligence agencies to report to civilians.
Way to Go Imran. Inshallah, the day is not far away.
@hedgefunder: In india there are also non state actors. We know that. Did you forget Moist.
@3footninja: Ever hear of unrequited love? Nice effort on the optimism but you overdid it leaving out how people who call him Taliban Khan managed to say the Taliban was a fan of his, too, without ever saying it. It's probably that impressively legendary Pakistani imagination the world hears tales of. It's still going strong as I'm sure plenty think he's foolish for his terrorist stance if only because they know he'd die if he came within a suicide bomber's blast range, let alone get close enough to hug them and confess his love.
The only thing the Taliban doesn't discriminate against is peoples right to die.
Imran Khan is a true, sincere, honest & visionary leader of pakistan. Imran is the last hope of pakistan. Wish u best of luck.
If he has never ever been controlled by any one than who is going to control him? Judiciary, Army, Parliament, Senate? He needs to learn how to talk when acting as a politician or diplomat and he appears to be neither. God help Pakistan as he (Imran) still appears to be the best choice.
Gen Kayani is the Dada of all Pakistani's so how you gonna be his boss?
I like Imran Khan but I get this feeling that he is not very diplomatic and a bit naive. You have to work as a team and you cannot just say blank statements like that. National security issues are very important and they should not be discussed in public like that especially on Indian television.
His idealism borders on naivete
What? Kayani is still going to be around post Feb 2013 elections?
At least he saying this what about others and its happend all over the world in u.s.a president clinton try to control CIA and what happend to him we all know...
well...i guess thats how it works! army is not autonomous!
Those who are commenting on this news as if it is a joke or what joke are basically losers and if you dig down deep in their lives they are failure and always lead their lives based on ground realities. Imran Khan is absolutely right as army will be under his command as army can only dictate those who are corrupt and have no moral character.
with imran khan
How about this people... what if he is made to say all this by the .................... who he wants to control?
All are advised to make a note and keep this video for record.
Time will prove who will be the ultimate boss.
Mr Khan should avoid courting parties now competing for alliance. Their records are well known and they do not deserve to join PTI and start influencing it's running of the government.
That said, politics is funny business. When you are in power, you have to compromise. How much you compromise and for what is the issue.
Courting Jamaat Islami also is a bad sign. It seems to be the power behind the throne with a new and modern look in the shape of Imran!!
Kayani is not power hungry as some think he is. He does his job which is to protect pakistan, the civilian government however is so weak however that it is actually counter productive to pakistan's interest.
Imran Khan needs to come out procrastination. He's so self-obsessed; rather than putting reforms of bringing Army & ISI under Pakistani Government. Someone who just wants to be the master of all. The pity is he's no other feudal lords but still he has the same greed not for wealth but for power.
Chief of Army Staff is always the man running the country, Mr. Khan. What makes you think you will be able to change that? Warm Regards, Rehan
Well said Mr.Khan..& this is the true democracy for which u are struggling..
If u know little abt Imran "He has NEVER been control anyone", if army think they can control Imran, they are playing with FIRE.
For those who're trying to be an old poker here by making fun of Imran Khan I will suggest them to sit very quietly and watch. I surely know that they will be supporting him soon themselves.
Never count the chicken before they are hatched.
If you stuck with your policies, Army will also bow down infront of you!
Khan sehab take care every govt has to praise army lest chief of army staff will topple the govt as Mussharaf did with Nawas. Learn something from Zardari sehab.
Imran Khan - We will sweep the next elections,My rally was bigger than Arab Spring http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8pxOWJVxf8M
dream on....another larger then reality thinking by our baby politician.
hahahaha what a joke
too far-fetched!!!
So they finally gave him permission to speak. Just like the US looks/looked the other way when the Pakistani government trash talked for the sake of their popularity with the people while supporting it outside the public eye.
Tall talk. Let's see if he can walk the talk.
This is all very wishful thinking ! Be careful, as there are too many dark forces, non state actors etc.... at work in Pakistan !!