Stop the PTI bashing, please

Imran Khan is not some autocratic supreme leader who magically controls the thoughts and actions of all PTI members.

It has long been apparent that any article with regards to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) or Imran Khan seems to attract a disproportionate amount of interest. So, it’s quite common to come across both pro and anti-PTI articles. However, when I came across a statement made by PTI MNA, Mujahid Ali Khan, calling for the release of Mumtaz Qadri, who was convicted of a horrendous crime of murdering someone speaking up for minority rights, I was deeply disturbed — but to hold a party responsible for one man’s personal opinion is laughable and absurd.

Imran Khan is not some autocratic supreme leader, who magically controls the thoughts and actions of all those who are under his party’s umbrella. Voltaire once said, “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”

The PTI immediately distanced itself from the personal views of the MNA, but people insist that it was official PTI policy that Qadri be released, perhaps forgetting that Imran Khan was one of the first to condemn Salmaan Taseer’s murder.

Ludicrously enough, people are attempting to use this opportunity for more PTI bashing and using broad strokes to paint the party as one with an extremist ideology, admonishing the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) for being the birthing place for the party.

Pakistan is the only country in the world where instead of being anti-war, so called liberals are vocal proponents of military actions, consequences be damned.

The war in Afghanistan against the Taliban has cost the US billions of dollars and resulted in the loss of countless lives, both military and civilian. We should also bear in mind the psychological damage inflicted upon the affected people and how it will adversely impact the children and the next generation for decades to come. Even the US has come to the realisation that this is a war that cannot be won on the battlefield. That is why there are reports of formal negotiations with the Taliban.

Yet, Imran Khan is blasted for being pro-Taliban and anti-freedom when all he wants is to avoid further bloodshed and a pointless cycle of violence that will bear no fruit.

Yes, Naya Pakistan is here or, at least, it is predominantly in K-P. People are now more participative and vested in politics and how our country is being governed. They are more interested in ethics and the rule of law. They are also more interested in holding their politicians accountable for carrying out their responsibilities that have been entrusted upon them.

Naya Pakistan is here, where for the first time in the history of the country, education has been made the prime focus and recipient of funds in K-P’s budget. Educated children are vital for the success of our nation if there is going to be any hope of advancement from the mess that we currently find ourselves in.

If you ask me, the people of K-P seem to be in good hands indeed.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd,  2013.

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