Secularism: Magsi questions PTI’s right-wing tendencies

Pakistan cannot afford to go to war with the US, says Sindhi nationalist.

HYDERABAD: The democratic and progressive values of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) are not being followed, said Sindh Taraqi Pasand (STP) President Dr Qadir Magsi. “Imran Khan’s revolutionary talk has been hijacked by the Establishment.”

While speaking at the Hyderabad Press Club on Wednesday, he said that although he had been eager to welcome Khan to the all parties conference in May 2007, he did not feel the same way now.

The PTI chief and Establishment were too much in synch for his taste. “Religious and right-wing rhetoric has crept into the party slogans,” he said while referring to a speech by Khan which mentioned the two-nation theory. “This conservative rhetoric has disappointed the people of Sindh as they have liberal and secular values.”

While responding to a question about the upcoming elections, he said that the STP would take part and be successful.

Magsi condemned the NATO attack and said that the country’s relationship with the US should be based on mutual respect. He added that Pakistan could not afford going to war with them.

The STP president said that it was important for Pakistan to become a secular state. He added that granting Most-Favoured Nation status to India was a step in the right direction.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2011.