Tank — and back
Imran Khan’s speech at Tank was laced with his usual toxic anti-Americanism but he also managed a few sensible words. He promised to abolish the Frontier Crimes Regulation if he comes into power, echoing the words of the PPP in 2008 and showing that the PTI is not completely aligned with the extreme religious right. And while the PTI may not have reached South Waziristan, it was entirely successful in reaching its target voter: the middle-class urbanite who is imbued with religious nationalism and a corresponding mistrust of the US. As an electoral stunt, his march was a rousing success. In every other sense, it failed to change anything.
The drone war will continue unabated and there is nothing that Imran Khan can do about it. This is why criticisms that the march will make it harder to defeat the Taliban are a bit overblown. Sure, we got another glimpse of where the PTI’s allegiances lie but neither the military nor the US will do anything except ignore the party. The problem will come if the PTI wins the elections and takes the reins of power. For now, the party is relatively harmless, able to make a lot of noise without affecting policy. However, that could change come election time and it is something everyone wanting to fight militancy should be wary of.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2012.
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@Mirza: Well said!! Agreed 100%.
I agree with the editorial that Taliban are a bigger threat to the people, but is it the responsibility of the state to protect the people or PTI?
There is substance to the PTI narrative that drones breed hate and swell the ranks of Taliban. By taking a peace rally against drones PTI is effectively trying to addresss the root causes of terrrorsism that inflict this nation
So Express Tribune has been apparently censoring everyone's comments that highlight its contradictions, and letting through the comments that are generally favouring this editorial. Way to go Express Tribune. So much for neutrality. You're not a reliable newspaper in my eyes anymore.
Drones are firing precision guided missiles whereas Imran Khan is a misguided missile avoiding the butchers of humanity.
such a wonderful piece if literature by tribune. It states all, that imran khan had hidden into his heart and somehow the editor had the special access to get all the information out! ETs reporters took interviews with imran in his vehicle where he catagorically denied supporting Taliban and accepted they have caused much damage. He clarified that his aim was to highlight that tribals can be won over with right steps, yet the editor relied on his "special, invisible" sources to state that imran khan chose Taliban side. Get some facts editor.
This was the pre-arranged set up: the march was to be stopped by the army after Tank and Imran would accept the military direction over the civilian one. Imran Khan knew he would not have to risk anything. A pure political stunt.
A dull and superficial piece - please infuse some subtlety and analysis in an editorial - this is pedestrian, and bandies platitudes and cliches. Disappointing.
On the bright side no one was killed and the demonstration was peaceful - that's a nice change of pace. Unfortunately allowing a few containers and veiled threats to stop the march makes it pretty clear he may not have the backbone to make the changes he has promised.
"drone attacks kill civilians but at the same time, there is no question that the Taliban kill more civilians than the US. Yet, for Imran Khan, there is only one party to blame" Of course if there were more political benefits for him then our IK would blame Taliban the bigger and more deliberate killer of our citizens.
What ever his motives were, one thing is clear that in the US,every conceivable TV and radio channels talked about his march and at the same time newspapers ran articles how the trigger happy soldiers are sitting front of their computers in Arizona and guiding the drones to fire missiles at so called insurgents while disregarding the civilians deaths. Some has questioned the legality part of it too and above all how the children, women and older folks are being traumatized psychologically in North and South Waziristan. It was also discussed that the Pakistani government and Military is in cahoots with the CIA. You are right that the drone attacks will go on because of the fact that the Pakistani government and Military has OKd it's attacks on Tribal people and it does not matter how may innocent civilians are being killed in the process. It is very simple, you kill them through your proxy's and they will kill you, I know it, because my mother was from TANK.Stop bashing Imran Khan, he is the only decent and honest politician you got in your country.
ET A very good editorial agreed. My question to Ik supporter is that if drones are killing innocent civilions.Then why don't we see mass migration of tribal people from drone effected areas.Everybody love his life and wouldn't put his life at risk to get killed by drones.People staying in their areas shows their confidence on the precision of drone technology.Ik is hungry for power and thinks every thing is fair in war and love.But he doesn't know the consquences of that fairness.