"I was hoping the entire nation would be on same page and that we would show a stern reaction to America," Imran said. PHOTO: FILE
"I was hoping the entire nation, including the media and opposition, would come on to the same page and that we would show a strong reaction to America," Imran said. He accused the US government of 'droning' Pakistan's peace process when a drone strike killed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan leader Hakimullah Mehsud, hours before peace talks with political parties were to commence.
"I am disappointed," he continued, "instead of the nation coming on one page to single out the US [over the sabotage to the peace process] and tell them, and I am telling the Prime Minister that he too should have taken a stand, I have seen a divided nation. And people like us who are backing the peace process are labelled as Baitullah's supporters."
"This is perhaps the most difficult time for Pakistan," he said, "How can we move forward if talks are not moving forward?"
He emphasised the need for Pakistan to present a united front so that drone strikes are discontinued, and noted that the attacks had only served to divide Pakistanis.
Crunching Numbers
The PTI chairman also bemoaned the expenses of engaging in the war against militants, which he emphasised Pakistan should never have taken on at the behest of America.
Pakistan is spending Rs90 billion per month on war, he said, adding that the money could instead have been used on education and health.
Correction: An earlier version of the article was not clear over Imran's disappointment over public's reaction. The point has been made clearer.
COMMENTS (87)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Hussain: No, do not kill the kids. They are from the flesh and blood of this very soil. A better approach would be a cease fire for a few years during which we can develop those radicalized areas, bring education, health-care and infrastructure development. Kindness is a good measure regardless of one's beliefs. Radicalism will be uprooted itself with these measures because the essence of radicalism is that it exploits that people who are in a vulnerable position, socially, economically, mentally, and physically. No one wants to go out and blow themselves up when they have filled bellies, stable jobs, free health-care, free education. Pakistan Zindabad!
What's wrong with IK's statement?
I am not a conservative. I am a liberal, a secular and at times an atheist. But I do not understand all this Liberal Bashing of IK. All the guy is trying to say here is that elected representatives of Pakistani People should be given the chance to decide what to do about Taliban not USA. What's wrong with that?
Answer this; When USA were clearly told by Govt. of Pakistan that Hakimullah is off limits then why did they strike him down. Can any of the IK bashers answer this? And as per Ch. Nisar USA could have struck him down millions of times in past but they chose to avail this specific oppurtunity!!! Why?
Before you label me the new Dr. Munawar Hassan; I must say that Hakimullah was an evil evil man but the issue at hand is bigger than that. Peace was simply not given a chance. And it was not GOP and Taliban who did not give it a chance. It was USA. This is what disturbs me above anything else.
I hate taliban, I say kill them all, burn them to the ground and kill their children while you are at it (as they will become the new Taliban in 15 years time). However, the decision is not mine to make. The decision lies with elected representatives of Pakistan; as they know facts and events which I am not even remotely aware off.
I have trusted them to lead me (by voting) and I shall revisit my trust in five years time based on their decision making. Meanwhile as citizen of democratic and sovereign country of Pakistan I demand that "My elected representatives" should make decisions in "My Country" not Mr. Barrack Hussain Obama.
And this is What IK is saying? I ask again What's wrong with that?
PS:
It's very strange that in "comments" in all articles Imran has the most proponents except when he speaks against USA. Hardly two comments in this thread from PTI Fans. Makes me wonder? You?
@Fauzia Malik: How can I cancel my membership ?
Just forget this mistake and look out for better option by doing a little serious research on Idealogies and manifstoes.We just can not ignore the state of affairs in our country.
Regretting the day when i joined this party by filling out some online form. How can I cancel my membership ?
The nation is mentally retarded except the few who see the injustice in the nature of US attack on OUR peace initiative.
He is miserably confused. It's Talibaans who are refusing to even start any dialogue whatsoever. And IK is lamenting the collective intellect of the nation. I have never seen him givimg solid solutions and clear directions on issues/problems. He always complains and criticizes.
Only People of KPK and Fata are getting suffer along with Pak Army in this war that's why nobody is bothered except the gr8 IK Let it start in Punjab then you will see the reaction Punjabi PM he is bothered only about Punjab not Pakistan. Punjabis are now living in comfort zone on the resources of other Provinces, thats the simple reason they want the war should go on.
I agree with IK that this nation is divided. After the 'shahadat' of Hakeemullah, our forces should have given the new taliban leadership a week to decide about talks and in case of a negative response they should have been attacked with full force, thus giving no room to the new leadership.
'“This is perhaps the most difficult time for Pakistan,”' ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Evergreen slogan applicable to every moment of Pakistani existence.
The stupid fall has a lasting effect on IK. Not that he had high IQ or EQ before but he is seriously damged. When he cannot keep his own home from being divided how can he keep the country undivided? IK grow up and smell the coffee, the cricket matches are over long ago. Get a job or career for a change.
@raja: My people are media controlled, completely. I am reading the same news as them, though I am able to see the positive impact peace can have, while they cannot. Instead they choose to side with the current government who is adamant in making the common man sell his organs for food.
Dear Imran Khan, a lot of people who voted for you are also very disappointed from you.
Imran Khan is right! It is disappointing to see media-controlled herds!
Mr Khan your whole party except Mr Asad, Ms Qasuri and Mr Alvi is SHARMNAK, self centered, Matalbi and hypocrite. May Allah have mercy on you. By not coming out with statement against your brother in arms - Mr Munawar Hassan, you have left doubt about who you are and what you are striving for.
@Aamna Hassan: "Muzahira" is not mere expression as u stated, its an expression over something wrong with the system, or a "strike."
Imran Khan the nation is sleeping but thanks that you and your cronies ie JI, jui and others are awake and vigilant.If peace talk between Pakistan and Taliban had been scheduled why US was not requested to suspend the drone attacks so that talks could be held.Dear Khan these are all lame excuses and throwing dust into masses eyes.You are ruling KP and just want to save your govt.and your skin by pleasing KP people by such childish statements.
@Aamna Hassan:
I hope you don't teach English somewhere! Muzahira means "Demonstration" / "Display".
Partlly you are also responsible for it IK. Because of people like you ,we are unable to form consensus, otherwise we would have gotten rid of such elements.
So many people killed by these heinous terrorists, and IK backs a peace process with them. Even if he believes the nation needs to talk with these criminals, at a minimum, he should maintain a tough stand against them, rather than going in begging bowl in hand. I wouldn't trust him as a negotiator for anything. And please, don't lecture the people that voted you in.
IK why are you bringing your ego in the middle? Understand that situations change and deal with it.
Just in case, no stone is left unturned towards Imran Khan, this one had to be added: "Correction: An earlier version of the article was not clear over Imran’s disappointment over public’s reaction. The point has been made clearer."
there are our people and belong us and bring peace with dialogue. if u can't do this then y r u going to aman ku asha. think about your peace
His vocabulary doesn't include TTP;he should,he is the political arm of it.
Sharamnak
my poor innocent hakeemullah died and all this nation does is watch mera sultan..stupid nation!imran is right!
PS SARCASM. MY NATION DOESNT GET IT
@Aamna Hassan: Ok, so Imran was not expecting public outrage. Fine. So please tell us how he wanted people to 'express' their opinions?
Pakistanis; bought for a penny and sold for a $. A really shameless nation. Desrves what it gets. Corrupt leaders and corrupt people.
Not everyone is a good looking mullah ,so not everyone will agree with you
The PTI is either totally chicken and/or completely misled. Either way, the PTI is doing its best to lose its young educated middle class base. I will NOT vote for them again. I will not vote for any other party either, but definitely not PTI.
@Gratgy: I agree with IK that a peace process was about to be at least talked about by the two parties and that it was shameful that the drone attack happened just when there was a slight glimmer of hope. This does not mean that I am a Taliban apologist - far from it.
People are calling you Taliban supporters because you ARE Taliban supporters.
Why mr. Khan did not have same disappointment when taliban martyred a senior officer of pakistan army in swat. Why he then did not accuse taliban of derailing the peace process. What a double standard.
It seems his political ideology has come down to simply opposing the US and nothing else. This derangement is extended further by JI and JUI-F who've centred our religion, for their own twisted hypocritical ideological version, around the US as well.
I'm sick and disappointed how they don't condemn, or let alone acknowledge, the mass murderers among us or admit the Wahhabi/Salafi/Deoband/Sunni extremist ideological crisis there is. Partly because they are part of it, and not just sympathizers, and no surprise we hear the delusional lies telling us this is only about drones alone, when these threats have existed for decades.
..........why are you dragging the people into this ? Matters of state are be debated and settled amongst the politicians , in the interest of the country........isn't that why they have been elected ?
the writer should also clarify how much money did lakson group receive from sharif family for this pathertic lafafa journalism
Guys! First of all imran khan, in his speech, declared that he was upset that ppl did not express their opinions abt hamperding the peace process and not that he was expecting a public outrage(ET plz be more responsible and learn how to translate).He has not condemned the death of hakimullah. And lets face it! The war on terror is a failure, even though the US does not accept it openly. What other option do we have!!
Public lack of what? Immi you are again behaving pretty dimly! There's no lack of public outrage, their message is as laud and as clear as it can be. We just don't wish to be fed this chicken crap that you have; you can't play this game with people of Pakistan anymore. If those terrorists who attack us in our homes, sacred places, our schools and hospitals are your friends then too bad, you are with them and not us. No thinking Pakistani would ever sympathise with these terrorists or any of their crooked sub-intelligent apologists. These manimals have hurt us enough, now no more patience, these brutes must be destroyed just as brutally. They are demons and must be eliminated and if need be even those few who pretend being on our side, they can have their friends talibans and can go to bed with them but not in Pakistan, they better be prepared to follow them where we intend sending them.
Dear imran..we are not extremists or taliban symphatisers like you. If you want to back the taliban terrorists then kindly quit politics and instead go join your taliban buddies in waziristan
ETVLOGS1987
In January 2013 after detailed talks spanning 2 years between the 2 governments of India and Pakistan, some trade and visa liberalisation were announced. India had even implemented its part of agreement and before Pakistan could reciprocate an Indian soldier was beheaded throwing further talks into a mess. Later when there was a chance that talks would restart, 5 Indian soldiers were killed at LoC. did Imran feel outraged at the sabotage of peace process that time? If yes, how did he express it? If not, why not?
Imran Khan is mistaken; nation is at one page -- drone attacks shall continue while targeting terrorists holed in Waziristan. Americans shall stop drones the day Pakistan regains its lost territory back from terrorists.
When we have "groups" within a team of 11 players. When those 11 players refuse to forget and put their differences behind and do something credible for their country, then how on earth can this nation of 180 million be on same a page and stand up together?Shameless nation!
@Aamna Hassan: Muzahira is 'display' in English. I hope you don't teach English or urdu for that matter.
So effectively Imran is blaming the population for not foaming in the mouth and raging at the supposed "injustice" being met out to the Taliban.This man has become so brainwashed/arrogant/confused that he is questioning the very people who voted his party in. This is the beginning of the end of Mr.Tabdeeli.
How you except nation to become stern:
When Governor Tasser killed, conservatives appreciated it? Mehsud killed, he become Martyr? Red Mosque terrorist get sympathies?It means all we are endorsing to become stern in favor of all those groups who create aw and order situation, kill innocents..... Blaiming external forces can be an excuse, it is a reality in International Politics, you cannot achieve ideal situation. Can you equalize Pakistan's strength with poorest country in Africa, like Ethopia.....Come on..be rational and realist....
Pakistan needs structural reforms, keep Mosque and state of affairs separate, when Mullas come to give their scientific views on Rocket science or state of affair, our status will be same as Europe killed thousands during religous wars of 17th century...They learned how to give respect to religion as personal belief and run state of affairs.....
I am starting to think, we are used to b*tching. Since we had lots of bad politicians, and now its in our blood. Oh, and when Imran stands for something, he is a pro-Taliban. And to the army personnel , following orders is your duty, since you are under oath, but the orders your institute give are not sacred.Your intentions are great and revolutionary doesn't mean your institutes controllers feel the same way. we have respect for you guys and your institute, but we should not neglect the fact that many generals in pak army are free-masonic.
Imran Khan needs to understand that majority of people in Pakistan as well as his admirers in other countries are throughly disappointed with his cowardly stand against TTP. Will the public outrage be directed against Americans who are killing the terrorists or those who are killing them mercilessly ? The best thing which Imran Khan can do now is to leave politics and become a full time coach of the Pak cricket team who is losing all matches and requires his services badly.
Majority of IK's supporter are youth, twitting lad, facebook user means modern group..... he feels pain to see, he couldn't motivate them to accept embracing TTP....otherwise older generation is still under influence of PML (N), PPP, MQM, ANP.... its not easy Mr. Khan.
Watch his interview on express and try to answer, if anything you can: For libreal fundos, here's the logic for what he says. You tell me the logic for Raymond Davis' roaming in our cities?
"I don't understand the logic -- when/if you favor dialogue or protest on drones- you're labeled as Hakimullah's sympathizer does that mean Barack Obama is Pro Taliban or Pro Mullah Umar because US is holding dialogue with him in Afghanistan??"
"It was sad to see silence from the PM- when US justified the drone attack saying HUM killed Americans-PM should'v asked Mullah Umar has killed more American's so why is US holding dialogue with thm?Why is dialogue kosher for US & not for us?"
How could you ever be surprised at the lack of public outrage in Pakistan? There is no outrage when innocent civilians or political or high ranking military leaders are killed daily.
There is nothing outrageous in Pakistan. You banned a biography of a little girl that was shot in the head by terrorists. You allow cavemen to rule your "sovereign" territory. You elect leaders that openly support terrorists. Your military is impotent in establishing the rule of law...
It's odd reading all these comments - are all of us thinking that he's moaning the loss of the man? If that's the case then I can only salute the idiocy of the nation.
Be a leader and give a direction. Stop seeking directions from the trends in masses. You have a popularity seeking approach. It works while in opposition. Now you are in Govt. Change your way of thinking. The nations looks towards you and you look back onto the nation so get a sense of direction. This means you are lost. Learn to take unpopular decision, a task seems too difficult for you.
because public is not dumb like you Mr imran khan. Have some sense. a guy killed thousands is killed and you are grabbing the tail of peace. nonsense.
What is wrong with these type of people. You want Pakistan to be like South Korea (without the luxurious benefits ofcourse) with Taliban acting like North Korea, so Pak can be blackmailed anytime talibans want. Then in future, everytime Taliban would want something they'd say, "accept our demands, do this do that, release that person, broke off your trade with France, USA or whatever OR else the PEACE IS OUT the window".
There is no peace with anarchists, PERIOD. Imran is just trying to future proof himself in KPK's innocents mind, so in future he can blame everything on Army and N-league and would say "i wanted peace but THEY were the hurdles". .
“This is perhaps the most difficult time for Pakistan,” he said, “How can we move forward if talks are not moving forward?”
What talks? Elephant in the room that no one sees? Taliban have never said they would sit down and talk with govt - not once. What they said was that they would be willing to sit down and talk to some religious experts which is akin to saying your willing to negotiate with your friend but not the person who your fighting with. On the gov't side - they have demanded that the Taliban lay down their arms before negotiating - a ridiculous posture at best.
@ModiFied:
The last line of your comment was hilarious! It may well be true. IK keeps on criticizing the west but we all know that the west is his second home. his kids are half westerners....
If you think the line for USA visa's is long now - wait until the Taliban take over - no doubt Taliban Khan will be pushing and shoving in line with the rest.
Imran, THE nation would have been united had it been a "Respectable" person killed, what do you think people are going to be angry over killing leader of TTP who had ordered killing of thousands of innocent people.
Also, how come you have not criticized Munawar Hussain's comments do you put party loyalty over loyalty to Pakistan like other leaders-I thought you were better than that!
Muslims are as divided now as they were in 1947 just before partition. Not all Muslims of subcontinent believed that JInnah was right. So is the case now. Not all Pakistanis believe that IK talks sense. There was time when Jinnah had to leave India out of frustration for England. Don't get surprised if IK does the same.
Divider is worried about divided nation. Mullahs and Islamic scholars have divided Islam into 72 sects. Moududi created 73rd and Mullah Imran is in process to create 74th.
BTW, is just me or hundreds have died in KPK since PTI took charge including 2 MPAs and a sitting minister under Hakeemullah Mehsud's watch as commander TTP?! If I was a follower of PTI, I would seriously reconsider my allegiance to a nincompoop otherwise known as Taliban Khan.
must understand that nation will not follow your league of terrorists sympathesizers
IK should understand that majority will not bliundly follow his lead into matters that are sensitive.nation does not understand his stand of bowing to terrorists and must disengage immediatley from becoming a mullah and terrorists puppet.
His anti-America stand is absolutely right. I wonder when will we realize that America makes for a far greater enemy than these TTP butchers. High time we parted ways, having good relations is one thing, being slaves is another.
dude, you seriously want to be strip searched at your next US visit? you are putting Pakistan in harms way by siding with known terrorists - but then you don't get it.
Sorry, the disappointment is mutual. You can mourn Mehsud all you want.
Imran should pledge allegiance to the new TTP leader and follow suit as JI has done. After that he has an option to fight the drone in FATA and also through his ex-wife and friends in the UK, US and the western world.
Lol Imran Khan is just angry that the public go more outraged at terrorists being labeled as martyrs, rather than following his anti-American lead - ET PRINT THIS
Peace Process??? what peace process is he talking about???? He is talking as if the TTP had already agreed to give up their weapons.
This was just a proposal to hold peace talks which the TTP had not even accepted yet. Moreover TTP's pre-condition for talks was (1)stopping drone attacks, (2)releasing jihadi prisoners and (3) imposing Shariah in Pakistan. Was Pakistan ready to do al these so as to enter talks with TTP?
Is he on drugs and imagining a peace process or is this just propaganda??
Pakistan is spending Rs90 billion per month on war
What is it with Imran Khan and the number 90?
What a misleading headline but then again $$ can make you do anything, morality, discipline, ethics; who cares :).
Thank god that the public by and large does not subscribe to the Taliban brand of Islam nor it has a soft corner for Taliban apologists (With the exception of trolls and sheep herd followers of a personality cult).
He should be declared war criminal seriously for supporting killers of thousands of innocent Pakistanis and soldiers.What a low to get to the power corridors.Shame on you IK.
You are disappointed AK ? Seriously ? That man killed thousands of Muslims and you wants us to condemn his killing ? They never agreed for peace talk infact they killed Lt General and posted a video of it claiming victory ? When will u realize that these animals will come hard at us unless one of us survives...... US lost just 3000 men and they attacked Afghans .. Here we are lost 50000 men and counting and saying its NOT our war.........
Imran, sincerely, while it is OK to talk, these guys are criminals after all. It is true that they need justice. But this does not mean they can freely attack our mosques, our playgrounds, our schools, kidnap our people, and so on. These criminals cannot dictate their terms. This is Quaid's Pakistan. And if they dont accept it, they can go to the land of Sharia which is not so far from Pakistan. This nation will not come on the streets for Mehsud. They are still expecting justice on the killer of Salman Taseer, and other thousands of individuals who have laid their lives. We need to purge this country of extremism which should be done via talks. And thats where you will have limited support
So basically he is admitting that the majority do not support him. Take the hint.
there comes a time in the life of a person when he/she goes mental and i am sure this is what this poor sod is experiencing right now
When the US forces were carpet bombing Viet Nam, at the same time they were having secret talks with them in Paris. IK, one should never lower its guard even if they are talking to the enemy. Did IK get any assurance from Hakeemullah Masood that he has declared a cease fire to his terrorist acts against innocent people of Pakistan? The drone attack is condemnable when peace talks were initiated, but the TTP dont deserve any sympathy or praise.
What a 'sharamnaak' way of putting your words into Imran Khan's mouth! He said there must be a 'muzahira' which translates as 'expression' and not 'public outrage'. Hire me to translate into English from Urdu if you can't.
This person is a serious mental disorder to this nation ....
wow.... of all he has said this seems to take the cake... what were we expected to do - have the flags at half mast and special prayers for the deceased?! To expect that we were getting close to a peace proces/negotiation based on the history of this mess is clearly living in fools paradise.
Yes Mr. Khan, we know that this nation is still sleeping, and not interested to change its fate
Dear Imran,
If given the chance, your Taliban brothers will show you no mercy.
Signed, Major Iqbal