The writer is a columnist, a former major of the Pakistan Army and served as press secretary to Benazir Bhutto
kamran.shafi@tribune.com.pk
Let me here and now say to those who are seeing a conspiracy in this to get him the people’s sympathy that they are talking out of their (because this is a family paper I shall hold myself back) respective hats! Just see how he fell, dammit, head first, and only because the platform of the forklift tilted. Poppycock!
Which brings me immediately to the reasons of Imran’s fall: first off because too many people were standing on the forklift made worse by a fifth person who jumped on at the last moment as the forklift began its ascent, and second because forklifts are designed to lift inert objects: not live, fidgeting human beings who shift weight upon it from one side to another. Might one ask why a simple bamboo ladder could not have been provided instead of this silly forklift?
On another tack, I was taken aback, nay saddened by the headlines in our main English newspapers the day after, for on the day that Imran fell, upwards of 20 people were killed in Fata in the ongoing bloodbath unleashed by the murderous TTP: 12 JUI-F supporters in Hangu; a PPP leader Haji Zahir Shah and four people travelling with him including a policeman in Lower Dir, and elsewhere, three others. The gravely injured are numbered at over 40. Please note immediately that bombing injuries are extremely grave: blown off limbs; blown-out eyes and ears and other body parts.
I was, therefore, sorry to see The News and Dawn carrying banner headlines: “Imran seriously injured ... ” and “Imran injured” respectively, with news of the 20 (and over) murdered and 40 (and over) injured political workers relegated to second place. The only newspaper that got it right was this paper of record: “String of bomb attacks kills 20 in K-P” and, second, “As Imran falls, nation rises in sympathy”. Respect to the editors, not only for the appropriate placing but also the wording of the headlines.
And now, kudos to Nawaz Sharif for speaking so honestly and so courageously about Pakistan’s relations with India and for reiterating his long-held view that the Army is but a department of the government and should always follow the government’s orders. I was specially gratified to note that he particularly said that this country’s soil will not be allowed to be used for any aggression against its neighbours. Well done, I say, for him to have said what he did in this fast lurching-to-the-mad-right country where mindless bigots like the Paknationalists and PakistanKaKhudaHafiz types determine the country’s “nationalistic and patriotic” agenda.
It takes gumption for a political leader to say so close to the elections that a complete inquiry will be held on Kargil and the debacle that unfolded as a result, and which brought the two countries almost to open war. Good on him because the Deep State will always fight back and attempt to keep a lid on the Box!
Incidentally, while one appreciates politicians’ calling off electioneering for one day after Imran Khan’s fall, might one ask why electioneering was not called off (even for a day) for the hundreds of political leaders and workers who have fallen to the Taliban’s bullets and bombs in the other provinces, principally K-P and Sindh since this campaign began? Fallen as in killed, gentlemen. Sad.
Also might one say stand on talking without conditions to the TTP is an unsound idea. You cannot speak to those who flout the authority and the writ of the State so openly and blatantly and murderously. Who cut off your soldiers heads with axes and blunt knives? No sir, no. We must all get behind our armed forces and force those that want to talk to submission to the will of the State. Remember, too, that the TTP is against democracy, period. How does a democrat square with this?
Oh well, all that is left is to exhort voters, specially the newly woken young folk to go out and vote for the candidates of their choice tomorrow for this is going to be a defining election in Pakistan’s history even though three important parties are prevented from open canvassing.
They are going to be important because Imran Khan’s PTI seems to be in a position of playing an important part in forming the next government or sitting as an important member of the opposition: it is important for it is only then that it will become clear to him and his ‘cabinet’ how very difficult it is to run a country like the Citadel of Islam.
Stop Press: Former PM Yousaf Raza Gilani’s younger son, Ali Haider, has been kidnapped at a corner meeting in Multan. Shame on the ECP and the Punjab government for withdrawing the former PM’s guards.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2013.
COMMENTS (25)
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Nawaz said he would not allow militant groups to attack India from his country and would work to improve ties with rival New Delhi if elected and would make sure that the Pakistani soil is not used for any such designs against India, Nawaz further said, if elected, he would call for a joint investigation of whether Pakistani intelligence agencies played any role in the Mumbai attack. He also said that he would be the boss and Army would be one of the departments reporting to the Government. It is not for nothing that I call Nawaz sahab as the only statesman-politician on Pakistani political horizon. A stooge of Army in 1988 (as a part of IJI), he has learnt from his mistakes and almost had got rid of Musharraf before Musharraf had no choice but to stage a coup d'etat! I pray God that Nawaz sahab is elected PM of Pakistan to bring a new dimension to Indo-Pakistan relations! "Jai Ho" to that! ET, Why are you moderating my perfectly proper comment? This is my third attempt.....
@Khaan: Wow, instead of throwing stones you might have pointed out where the author was wrong, but that would have required some thought! By the way, if you think that the author is "third rate", then please tell us where we can read YOUR "first rate" column!!!!!
These are birth pangs of a brand new Pak.
Running Pakistan is not that difficult either. You just have to play straight shots . NO SIXES OR FOURS.
A third rate writer, not even worthy of attention.
You usually look from the PPP angle and your writings reflect it as also in your "assessment" of IK as an "unmitigated disaster," which actually should refer to the just ended PPP rule.
The author thinks that Imran khan will be an "Unmitigated disaster in the position of authority in the country". Well that's what he thinks and he could be wrong. But I would like to know the logic behind the analysis which unfortunately he didn't give so it was also pulled out of his hat. If we analyse the situation IK has the best team available currently. He has the vision for Pakistan. We don't need bullet trains or metro buses, at least not now. What we need is education, poverty elevation , good health, security and above all a national pride and none of the previous figures of authority have been able to deliver except for the guy who the author calls "the commando". And change is one thing which is constant. If not now it will happen some other time but not too long from now. The press and media must strive for one cause only "save Pakistan".
What is so difficult in dealing with TTP. Give orders to army to move in their last terror base NWA. Just need a sincere leader unwilling to compromise on the slain pakistanis by these animals.
Thanks for being open and honest. Only yesterday there was an Op Ed in this very paper that titled "Pakistan at its very best". With all these mayhem, bombings, murders and terror if this is the very best of Pakistan then I wonder what would be its normal and hate to think what would be its worst! This blood stained election is nothing to be proud of and don't even try to call it fair and peaceful. Of course there are some who are benefiting from the TTP rein of terror on their opponents but that is height of selfishness and dishonesty. You are a factual writer and tell like it is, I like your writings.
A couple of rightwing parties are fully endorsed supported and protected by TTP, while they openly and daily target our nationalist, liberal parties. While an accidental fall of IK by their own mistake saddened most of us, one never saw that kind of reaction when hundreds of political workers and leaders are butchered and bombed by TTP. After seeing the PTI workers taking even the chairs home in a previous gathering and the lack of discipline on the part of their leaders and top security people it becomes obvious that they are not the most disciplined and organized force. If they become a part of even a coalition govt it would not give us any sense of security. I wonder what PTI elites would say if Bilawal, Sharif, or Fazal would have taken a stupid fall due to their own mistake? I dare ET to print my comments as they are not unfair.
@akhtar tak: How so??? In all probability his name is Yahya, so he has assumed a screen name of John the Baptist. Fully understandable!!! How would that make him an enemy of Pakistan??? You need to find a better way to distinguish between your friends and enemies. Also, just because he holds a different opinion than yours does not make him an enemy. Frankly, I find his comments quite poignant and sometimes hilarious.
@akhtar tak: "Your name suggests you are enemy of pakistan@John the Baptist:"
Actually he is an avid PTI supporter that once upon a time used to write under the monicker 'Sultan'. No matter what monicker he uses, his style is the same. Filthy abusive language with little reliance on facts and data to rebut.
Your name suggests you are enemy of pakistan@John the Baptist:
PPP gave ppeople of pakistan theower to makena choice which they never has Nawaz and imran are guillyy of deafning silence on issues of terrorism.
Well, your own PPP was in power what did they do about it? Thats right nothing cause they were too busy emtying the treasury!
@John the Baptist: "The rabid chipmunk is out again"
Spoken like a true PTI supporter. No logic/data used in rebuttal - just intemperate language.
thank u for confusing me again,,, Kamran Shafi I really do not know what are you upto
I can contemplate a few reasons why Mr. Shafi would think that "Imran Khan will be an unmitigated disaster in a position of authority in the country." Imran has at times displayed a brash behavior and a short temper. But, I sincerely believe that people will be quite surprised to find that their fears are baseless and unfounded. Imran learns fast and thinks from his head. The rage he displays is fully understandable by the youth of Pakistan who are equally frustrated by the sheer insensitivity of the ruling classes of Pakistan towards the despicable conditions prevalent in the country. That is the precise reason Imran's brashness and acerbic comments towards other politicians strike a chord in the hearts of Pakistani masses and they just do not mind it.
Mr. Shafi's stated support of Mian Nawaz Sharif regarding his statement to improve relations with India is also a little out of place. India, surprisingly, is not a major issue in this Election. Three days before a heated election, a leading contender like Mian Sahib is expected to inform the people what he will be doing about electricity, unemployment, and law and order. More precisely the public wants to know how he will be dealing with the TTP. Mian Sahib's statements about India at this time is just skirting around the issues that matters the most to the oppressed, dis-enfranchised, and suffering masses of Pakistan. Imran Khan on the other hand is hitting the nail right on the head, (no pun intended.)
Yes, disaster for the corrupt, shameless, blood-sucking, rabid, ruling elite who are integral part of status quo.
The army is indeed just another department of the government and has no business in making foreign policy or any policy other than battle policy (to be executed only when the civilians send it into war). Notwithstanding the well-known flaws in Nawaz Sharif, he gets credit for being the only candidate addressing the elephant in the room: the civil-military divide and the 'holy cow' status of the army (i.e. its personnel being above the law, not accountable to the civilian justice system)
Nicely summed up. In your praise of Nawaz Sharif you have gone a bit overboard but considering the subject, that was expected. Your view about the PTI seems pretty accurate. The kidnapping of Gilani's sons is a dastardly act but callous though it may seem many will see it as retribution according to natures law.
I salute the brave people of Pakistan who are bracing bullets and bombs yet they will deliver the knock out punch to TTP and likes on 11th May.Mark my words.