Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi on Monday said there were “institutions” or “third forces” which were uncomfortable with Geo TV, PM Nawaz Sharif and “independent anchorpersons” like him, adding that these forces were behind Imran Khan and had asked him to stand his ground.
Sethi was speaking in a television show. When the anchor asked him what was his perception as an ‘insider, what did he think was ‘their motive’ and why ‘they’ had become enemies of those, they used to sing praises of – Sethi replied, “Both of us know why”.
He said he had openly said it in his show. “Other people have also hinted at it. I don’t believe in hiding things,” he claimed.
“The thing is that there are institutions in this country –third forces – which are offended by Geo and [Prime Minister] Nawaz Sharif. These institutions are being criticised by independent anchors like us. They have put Imran Khan on the front stage, have given him a green signal and asked him to stand his ground.”
He said earlier Nawaz Sharif used to do the same type of politics. Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid used to do the same thing. Jamaat-e-Islami was also involved in the same type of politics.
“However, now they have realised that it is not right, that it is dirty politics, that it has failed and that it harmed the country and democracy.”
He said today a new force [Tehreek-e-Insaf] was emerging and it was also playing in their hands.
“It will harm the country and further damage it. They should not do this. They should join forces with people, media and independent judiciary and do good politics. They should not join hands with those secret institutions and engage in dirty politics,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2014.
COMMENTS (7)
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Sethi always backs the performances of his appointed officials and sacked the former ones when he came into power. Moreover giving the telecasting rights to Geo Group, how else can we determine that he politicized cricket more than anyone else.
Mr 35 Puncture....if you have little self respect left give resignation for the sake of this country and tell this nation how your daughter "your" became advisor of US Holbrooke...what are your agendas? why you were Locked up by IB on working against Pakistan cause...? Shame on you.....
Election rigging is good politics? $418M corruption as PM is good politics?
You know something Sethi Sb. i dont know about any third force but your own personal actions both before and after elections have made me jittery. Najam Sethi after accepting political positions has lost the right to call himself a journalist. The same applies to Irfan Siddiqui, Iftikhar etc.
Sethi's channel is trying to project itself as an independent state institution & power broker. It is now trying to create a wedge between PML N leadership/Government & what he calls "Third Force". Since last few days unprecedented coverage of Government support is being aired by Mir Sahibs. The analysis of Sethi are self serving & following on a narrative. It misses the actual intellect of Mr Sethi who appears to be speaking some one else's mind rather than his own.
I am with THIRD FORCE, Any Day. Why you are shivering ? OR you chiria been hunted ?
He is been talking like a spokesperson of PML (N), perhaps paying back ;).