Pakistan

General Raheel's popularity at all-time high: Imran Khan

PTI chief says army chief's popularity is reaching new heights as people become more wary of corrupt politicians

Web Desk September 14, 2015

PTI chairman Imran Khan addresses a press conference at Bani Gala in Islamabad on September 14, 2015. PHOTO: PTI

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said on Monday that Army chief General Raheel Sharif's popularity is reaching new heights in the country as the public at large becomes more and more wary of corrupt politicians.

“When PPP and MQM were targeted, both parties began clamoring for help. I urge the Rangers and agencies to also go to Punjab to investigate the mega scams taking place there,” said the PTI chief, while speaking at a press conference in Bani Gala, Islamabad.

Popularity level of Gen Raheel Sharif is touching skies, remarks @ImranKhanPTI
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 14, 2015

Imran also publicly terminated the party membership of former Minister for Mines and Minerals Ziaullah Afridi. He said three other members of the party were currently being investigated, namely Senator Azam Swati, MPA Yasin Khalil, and Arif Yousaf.

“If charges against them are proven true, they will be terminated form the party,” Imran said.

Ziaullah Afridi is not with #PTI anymore, expelled from the party by @ImranKhanPTI
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 14, 2015

Read: Imran Khan threatens sit-in against poll body

Imran also demanded a third-party audit of the Nandipur power plant, LNG and Metro Bus Project in Punjab. “We want third-party audit on the international level, unlike the investigation of Model Town massacre,” Imran said.

Lauding the local bodies elections held under the PTI government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Imran said the elections were organised and free of rigging.

“For first time in Pakistan, devolution took place," he added.

COMMENTS (42)

Zaida Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Imran Khan is not the cleverest politician there is. But this is dumb statement even by his standards.

Aahjiz BayNawa | 8 years ago | Reply Now that is cheap tactics. Destabilizing the country through innuendos and creating fear of military takeover is not going to get Imran anywhere. Poor shot.

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raw is war | 8 years ago | Reply with this kind of statements, IK looks more ike a joker.

Muhammad Khan | 8 years ago | Reply IK must think about the reasons behind the popularity of Gen Raheel. Pakistanis love Gen Raheel because he thinks for Pakistan, he speaks for Pakistan and he acts for Pakistan. On the other hand IK thinks for and he takes care of rich people like Parvez Khattak, Aleem Khan and Jehangir Tareen at the cost of Pakistanis' feelings against them.

Jalbani Baloch | 8 years ago | Reply Being a political leader, be careful in praising the military man in uniform. No doubt, Mr. Raheel Sharif is doing a good job by cracking down against Talibans and criminals with all his sincerity, but be mindful of the fact that he is simply doing his job perfectly and honestly. The history of past generals is marked with disloyalty and disobedience to the constitution, and there always remain fear military takeovers in Pakistan at any time, therefore, your praises amount to your allegiance to the man in uniform. Personal, I have also high regards and reverence for Mr. Raheel Sharif, who is doing an excellent job, but question arises whether the next General in line, will adopt the same policy or not, as it has been witnessed that there is no sustainability of actions in this great army institution.

Aahjiz BayNawa | 8 years ago | Reply Both the Govt and the Army should function in their own spheres. Both should help each other, period. Is IK goading Gen Sharif to takeover? Maybe he thinks that the Army will bring him in power after ousting the present govt?

Arif | 8 years ago | Reply Media and PTI is doing their best to take all the credit from Nawaz and give it to Raheel. People are not stupid, we know that Nawaz and Raheel are enjoying a great Army and Politicians alliance and the way things are progressing they will both take Pakistan to a new height. Nawaz government may have shown incompetence in some sectors but that does not mean they are dishonest like PPP leaders. Nandipur project is failing due to beaurcratic incompetence not because of corruption. As for metro bus service, shahbaz had an audit of all the expenses and none can point finger at pmln. It is redicilous and absurd. Lastly having said that Nawaz need to be very careful in his second half of power because there is long way to go. Please do not get greedy along the way, you have enough money to raise your family

Ashraf | 8 years ago | Reply The man with the gun is always popular in Pakistan.

Alam | 8 years ago | Reply Once Imran become PM then Pakistan will be on top in International arena he is not just a sportsman but well thought leader.

Babloo | 8 years ago | Reply Yes make him General-master-commander-cum-president-cum-chief-executive for rest of life.

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply Just proves that Pakistanis are Arabs as Arabs and democracy don't mix.

JSM | 8 years ago | Reply When is he taking over the country? Or has he already taken over- all others are in titular positions?

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply General Raheel knows that why rejected politicians, media and dark forces have started singing songs of his popularity. He should never fall into their trap. The day he violates constitution, his popularity will go into drain.

Babbarsher Khan | 8 years ago | Reply That leaves our Kaptaan with two options, join General Sahib's party or entice him to join PTI. Looking at state of Kaptaan's party's affairs, the second options looks very unlikely, so why do not you join General Sahib's party. Looking at our country's history General Sahib's party has ruled more than any other party. Besides it is above any kind of accountability and public questioning.

Zahid | 8 years ago | Reply General Raheel Sharif you are a hero of our country, plz stay for 10 more years to catch these corrupt politician Nawaz, Shahbaz family and Zardari team, Since you are from hero family, hope you will blacklist these corrupt politician

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply I think the ISPR has learnt a lot from their allies in north Korea.

shamim | 8 years ago | Reply Uturn specialist.....

Napier Mole | 8 years ago | Reply Here he goes again: His Masters Voice.

sabi | 8 years ago | Reply Raheel Sharif has vowed to eliminate terrorists their abettors,facilitators and supporters and this is the point he is popular....dont't forget,Mr Imran you have been the supporters of Taliban. For pti trolls let me tell you....kahin pe nigahain kahin pe nishana....at the end of the day dharna wlas and their handlers are going to the final target of general sahib..believe me.

sssj | 8 years ago | Reply Nawaz Sharif is a very unlucky politician; three times he has come into power and each time has reaped bitter fruits because of corruption charges, this time around it is most embarrassing because he came with the peoples mandate as a democratic leader but the people are so sick of him and his incompetent team that they are wilfully looking towards the military for relief from massive corruption and incompetence. If the Army does not start the check on punjab corruption it will loose a lot of respect in good peoples eyes and other provinces, it must take the PML-N to task in a fair and transparent manner and take punitive action where it is due.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Another way of looking at it is.....Politicians popularity is at an all time low due to their own doings.......and the political vacuum has been filled by the most agreeable face around. Whose fault is it ?

Radiohead | 8 years ago | Reply @Napier Man I wouldn't personally call it a coup, they're pretty much in power since 12 october 1999. even zardari was boxed. Yes, they lost a little bit of power during the years from 1988-99.

Khurram | 8 years ago | Reply We need security, good and free of corruption governance does it matter who provides it! All our children should have the opportunity to a good future.

Shaukat ali | 8 years ago | Reply Once again IKs circus continues. First he took support of a couple of generals to create stupid dharna in Pakistan. Now he's praising army chief to get on Amy's good side. Gen Sharif is very popular. That's because he speaks the least and does the most. He is not a political person, he is a true soldier from a family of martyrs. As part of his persona, he will not stay one extra day in uniform. That is his greatness. But by then he will have groomed a culture whereby army chiefs learn to work under the elected civilian government of Pakistan.

Jibran | 8 years ago | Reply And this is a consolation for Imran Khan Niazi? What is he doing in politics then when his own popularity is below that of a 4 star general according to his own admission?

Anees A. | 8 years ago | Reply @citizen26: Good point, but probably because of the lack of trust in NAB. Regardless, reviewing internal party affairs and taking swift and firm actions need to be appreciated.

pervaiz | 8 years ago | Reply if General Raheel is number one in popularity then who is number 2 in popularity. definitely it is not IK but any other general like general Rizwan ISI. Then where IK is standing??? perhaps on number 10

Raisani | 8 years ago | Reply General Raheel's popularity is touching new heights and Niazi Shb urs is touching deep ground so think about it as well.

Lakhkar Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Are you jealous, egomaniac Khan?

J.K.Sharma | 8 years ago | Reply @Azi: I agree with you that general Raheel Sharif,s popularity is all time high .It is same as general Ayub took over the power ,It is same as General Zia ul Haq took over the power and it is same as General Musharraf took over the power.Therefore,it is the right time for general Raheel sharif to take over the power of Pakistan through any means.All the Pakistanis will certainly welcome it.Even now the government that is executives and legislature,army and judiciary are being run by General Sharif.Pakistan,fate is like this only.No democracy has been successful here.

Defence Analyst | 8 years ago | Reply He is a straight forward man. He speaks whatever in his mind that also hurts his politics sometimes, but now he is right that Gen Raheel Sharif is the most popular person of Pakistan. Now people are requesting Gen Raheel Sharif for their problems instead of their elected representatives. Although i'm against military rule but Incompetency of our rulers is the main cause of martial law in Pakistan.

Whiskey Khan | 8 years ago | Reply If had to vote between you and General Raheel, I would choose him and for very obvious reasons. He has proved that he is capable and a strong leader

A. Mirza | 8 years ago | Reply This is a confused nation. When we have democracy we want Martial law and when we have martial law we want democracy. Make up your mind people!

Imran Qadri | 8 years ago | Reply This imposter is still looking towards "third umpire" despite his failed misadventure during dharna when he wasted nation's 126 days. Without doubt General Raheel is a professional soldier. He has proven it through operation and terrorists, ZarbeAzb and by restoring peace and again making Karachi city of light. His professionalism was also proven during opportunist & power hungry Imran's dharna drama, had general Raheel been opportunist like his predecessor Pervaiz Musharraf then he had all the chance to topple government but he acted professionally and prudently for which he deserves to be saluted. History books will remember him as good, courage and professional soldier unlike tainted Pervaiz Musharraf.

Javed | 8 years ago | Reply Gen Raheel if you can clean-up Pakistan with terrorist and corrupt politicians in next 18 months, you will be remembered after Jinnah and will beat Musharraf by miles. It will be a great service if you convert the politics in to a local body governed under a Presidential system! Thank You

bilal | 8 years ago | Reply You can see how insecure PMLN is with Raheel Sharif. On the other hand you can see how secure Imran Khan feels with Raheel Sharif popularity. Clear difference between a leader (Imran) and lohar (Nawaz).

Blithe | 8 years ago | Reply Pml n is way more popular than PTI or any facebook following of Musharraf or any other General. Imran khan Niazi , stop trying to run away from Lahore by-elections

citizen26 | 8 years ago | Reply Why will you terminate party membership? Shouldn't cases not be sent to NAB for more thoroguh investiigation?

abreez | 8 years ago | Reply Army chief General Raheel Sharif’s popularity is reaching new heights in the country as the public at large becomes more and more wary of corrupt politicians, whom ex-emperor His Royal Highness Pervez Musharraf gave NRO. My task is simple, paving the way for next emperor, and I’m doing my best. America desperately wants an emperor in Pakistan as it’s unable to raise funds for new cold war, therefore people like me is offering their services for a better future of America. And when public at large will become more and more wary of corrupt Generals then we will work for another NRO.

Azi | 8 years ago | Reply General raheel, you are a hero of Pakistan from a family of heros. I wish you stay in power for much longer than your term. This nation needs a man of action like you. Imran is the same but with no power. I am ready for a martial law, better than these amazingly corrupt politicians we have.

Napier Man | 8 years ago | Reply Another coup in making in pakistan history...

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