Imran khan : A prayer for pakistan - translated interview from French Magazine Paris Match

[Mehran.co]

Cricket's world former champion, international playboy, wants to be Prime Minister. After fifteen years of struggle in political world, he's about to achieve.

The pipers and drummers beating a frenzied pace, speakers blaring Pakistani pop and rap. The crowd presses against the gates of the cricket stadium despite the baton of the officers attempting to control the crowd. Gujar Khan's stadium is in a lost village in Punjab, its an dusty field surrounded by rickety bleachers, but the 20.000 or 30.000 people didn't come to see a match. Imran Khan captain of the team that had won Pakistan's only World Cup in 1992, he no longer plays cricket. He embarked on a sport more ferocious : politics.

The former playboy, with his rock star look, who haunted the London nightclubs with wife at this time, Jemina Goldsmith, a British-Jewish millionaire, now frequent the electorate ultra-fundamentalists and tries to gather Pakistan's Taliban modern wing. He exchanged the jet-set for help poor people, in a country where nearly a quarter of the 180 million people undergo regularly famine. Imran Khan divorced his wife in 2004, seeing rarely his children, who went back to London with their mother, he travels around the country in a protected car. His aim : become the Prime Minister.
The party he founded, Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice in Pakistan PTI) was a minor party in the nation politics for fifteen years. Where the families parties almost alternate in power, between military coup and murders. Although admired for his status as sportsman, Imran was seen for a long time as a political marginal, even as a populist with a unstable policies and changing alliances. But his struggle against the corruption and his free hospital, eventually emerged his personality. His party's gatherings have attracted recently more than 100.00 people in Karachi and Lahore, and commentators suggest a possible tsunami in the general elections scheduled for later this year or early 2013.
This Friday, Imran Khan's gigantic posters are displaced each 100 meters on the road to Gujar Khan. Overcrowded buses, full of Imran 's supporters took this road in order to attend the gathering. A convoy got strafed by a political rival through the village. There were two serious injuries. The same day, further south in Punjab, a family council decided to put to death a newly married couple, because they get married without parental consent. Further East, a U.S drone attack killed 16 people in the province of Waziristan. It's a violent country, that's why a complete break from the system as propose by Imran raised so much hope explains, one of former cricketer's assistant also philosopher.
In the stadium, the crowd suddenly becomes agitated. Protected by his escort which had difficulty to find his way, Imran climbs rickety containers that serve as carpeted platform. The announcer's voice ignites. It heralds the arrival of Khan Tsunami, the man who wants to clean up Pakistani politics. To see the fervour of his slogan cheering in chorus, we can believe that he has a chance...
The next day, the calm is back, Imran Khan back to his villa designed by his former wife, top of Islamabad's hills, backed by Himalayas beautiful foothills. Despite of his age (59), Imran Khan kept his athletic body and a polite attitude but a little bit rude as best British schools former student and then of Oxford's student. However, his eyes shine, his breath becomes faster when he talks about his political hopes.
PARIS Match : You were seen as an outsider, what did you do to change people minds ?
Imran Khan : The determination is very important in politics, you have to believe that at the end the result would be in your favour. It's like in cricket : you can lose a lot of matches, but as long as you believe that there is a chance, you are not defeated. I started playing cricket when I was 9, and I always confident about that a day I ll win the World Cup. Pakistani team had a lot of difficulties but at the end we won. I think that because of cricket I got the discipline and strength needed to persevere during my fifteen years of struggle, since I have founded my party.
However, how do you explain this sudden success of your party in a few months ?
Since fifteen years, I struggling against the growing corruption by this country leaders. The leaders of traditional parties, Bhutto's clan (former Prime Minister; murdered in 2007) and Nawaz Sharif (another former Prime Minister) are true Mafia. They stole billions of dollars, proved. Nobody trusts them any more. In 2010, when there were a flood in Pakistan, I was the only one to who people accepted to donate money because they trusted me. Because they knew I was the only one who would really help those people in need. Since, we got more and more memberships.
PM : What alternative do you offer ? In what your are more credible ?
IK : On the corruption its obvious. I had published my heritage as in Western countries, I am also the one who had shown his tax card. The others amass fortunes that they send to abroad, I have made my fortune in abroad but I repatriated to Pakistan. In addition to, I have no personal fortune. This villa, I built it by selling my England's house.
America suppose to be our ally but their drones attack us each week, my people are humiliated .
PM :Who are your members ?
IK : we use internet a lot, that's why we got a lot of young people and from big cities. In the provinces, feudal system is still there, and local lords strictly control the electorate, as they were managing animals. But things are changing. Even in countryside, we are creating a groundswell. Our party has a million registered members, and we are expecting to quadruple their number in three coming months. Anyway, it will be our only way to win and break the status quo : by changing everything. That's why we started calling me 'Tsunami khan.
PM : because of your anti-political 's critiques, some consider you as an agent linked with Army to maintain the control.
IK : It is not true, I am independent of Army and of ISI (very powerful secret service). Moreover, I opened an investigation in order to expose them, to prove that they had paid millions of dollars to competing parties. If I become Prime Minister, I will ensure that the Army respects the Constitution and finally stop influencing politics. If the Army is so empowered today, it is because the absence of a civilian leadership.
PM : You are accused to be a populist, you want vote of fundamentalist, you want to be their ally with radical parties and you criticize America. What would be your program if you are elected ?
IK : I am not populist, I am rational. The American have failed in Afghanistan and NATO has to go. In Pakistan, we suffered 40.000 dead since the beginning of the war against terrorism, and for what ? The Pakistanis have never been so humiliated in their history. Our citizens are arrested without trial, imprisoned at Guantanamo.
PM : However, many describe Pakistan as the most dangerous country in the world, seen as a supporter of Taliban and many other militias in a hidden war against India, armed with nuclear weapons. Do you think that this country can covert up without Washington's support ?
Yes, and in any case, the conditions could not be worse now. Concerning India; I am in favour of sincere negotiations that would resolve once and for all the status of Kashmir (region contested by the two countries). I was always against nuclear power and when we reach a real solution, I will support a bilateral nuclear disarmament. Regarding the Taliban, it is largely a non-issue. Islam is a religion of moderation. There is let say 5% of extremist ideologues who have thrived because of U.S violence. The rest are just frustrated Afghans and Pakistanis because they invade their country or attack them. If drones attacks ended, the Pakistani Army 's operations in the tribal areas on the border, and terrorism would ended to.

PM : Is that true that you divorced your wife, because it was impossible for you to win by being married to a British ?
IK : My schedule as Politician is very tight, that probably not helped in a couple life, but Jemima and I divorced for personal reasons. We are still close even if she had remake her life separately and me to. We are still in touch and our sons (Suleiman and Kasim, 16 and 14) come often here to see me. Jemima led a demonstration when I was imprisoned, she also came to Pakistan a few months ago for a rally that I have organised against drone attacks.
PM : You can be elected head of a conservator country without being married ?

IK : I think so. Anyway, if the question is 'Should I get married to become Prime Minister ? Then the answer is no. I am ready to do everything to help my country, really everything? But I am not willing to get married just to win elections (laughs).

PM : Do you fear for you security ? Politics is dangerous au Pakistan ?
IK : It's dangerous, sometimes vicious. I am attacked, slander. And my party is gaining power, it's irritating Mafia. Of course, there are risks of terrorism acts or murder. I am told to take more precautions. But that won't stop me. I believe in destiny and I have a job to do. I am not afraid of death.

 

[pathar]

(bigsmile)

 

[Young]

Source????????

 

[Pak1stani]

Les joueurs de flte et de tambour battent une cadence endiable, les *enceintes gantes crachent de la pop et du rap pakistanais plein volume et la foule, lectrique, se presse contre les portiques du stade de cricket malgr les coups de matraque des policiers qui tentent de canaliser le mouvement. Le stade de Gujar Khan, bourgade perdue dans la plaine brlante du Pendjab, n’est qu’un vaste terrain poussireux entour de gradins branlants, mais les 20 000 ou 30 000 personnes qui affluent ne sont pas venues voir un match. Imran Khan, capitaine de l’quipe qui offrit au Pakistan sa seule Coupe du monde en 1992, ne joue plus au cricket. Il s’est lanc dans un sport autrement plus froce : la politique.L’ancien playboy aux allures de rock star qui hantait les botes de nuit londoniennes avec son pouse d’alors, Jemima Goldsmith, une millionnaire *anglaise d’origine juive, courtise prsent l’lectorat ultrafondamentaliste et cherche rallier l’aile modre des *talibans pakistanais. Il a troqu la jet-set pour les plus dmunis, dans un pays o prs d’un quart des 180 millions d’habitants connat chroniquement la *famine. Divorc depuis 2004, voyant peu ses deux fils rentrs Londres avec leur mre, il sillonne le territoire en voiture blinde. Son objectif : devenir Premier ministre.Pendant quinze ans, le parti qu’il a fond, Tehreek-e-Insaf (Mouvement du Pakistan pour la justice, ou PTI), est rest un acteur mineur dans une nation o les grandes familles quasi fodales alternent au pouvoir, entre coups d’Etat militaires et assassinats. Quoique adul pour son statut sportif, Imran a longtemps t peru comme un marginal de la politique, voire un *populiste au programme inconstant et aux alliances changeantes. Mais sa croisade contre la corruption et l’hpital gratuit qu’il a fond ont fini par le faire merger. Les meetings de son parti ont *rcemment rassembl plus de 100 000 per*sonnes Karachi et *Lahore, et les commentateurs voquent un possible raz de mare lors des lections gnrales prvues pour la fin de l’anne ou dbut 2013.Ce vendredi, des affiches gantes d’Imran Khan sont disposes tous les 100 mtres sur la route qui mne Gujar Khan, o des bus surchargs emmnent les supporteurs. Un des convois se fera mitrailler en traversant le village d’un rival politique. Il y aura deux blesss graves. Plus au sud dans le Pendjab, ce mme jour, un conseil familial dcidera de mettre mort un couple de jeunes amants qui s’taient maris sans accord parental. Et, plus l’est, une frappe de drone amricain fait 16 victimes dans la province du Waziristan. C’est un pays brutal, explique, philosophe, un des assistants de l’ex-“cricketer”. C’est pour a qu’une rupture complte avec le systme, comme le propose Imran, suscite tellement d’espoir. Dans le stade, la foule s’agite soudain. Protg par son escorte qui lutte pour se frayer un chemin, Imran grimpe sur les conteneurs branlants qui servent d’estrade, recouverts de tapis. La voix du speaker s’enflamme. Il annonce l’arrive de Tsunami Khan , l’homme qui veut balayer les partis traditionnels. A voir la ferveur de l’assistance acclamant son slogan, on peut croire qu’il a ses chances…Le lendemain, le calme revenu, nous retrouvons Imran Khan dans la vaste villa conue par son ex-pouse, sur les hauteurs d’Islamabad, adosse aux contreforts splendides de l’Himalaya. A 59 ans, Imran a conserv sa carrure d’athlte et cette attitude polie mais un peu sche d’ancien lve des meilleures coles britanniques puis d’Oxford. Pourtant, sa voix de baryton devient plus chaude, son dbit plus rapide, et ses yeux plus brillants ds qu’il commence *dcrire ses espoirs politiques.Paris Match. On vous voyait comme un outsider, qu’avez-vous fait pour retourner la situation ?
Imran Khan. Le succs en politique provient du fait qu’on n’abandonne pas, qu’on reste certain de la victoire finale. C’est comme au cricket : on peut perdre quantit de matchs mais, tant que soi-mme on ne baisse pas les bras, on n’est pas vaincu. J’ai commenc jouer au cricket 9 ans, et je me suis toujours dit que je gagnerais la Coupe du monde. L’quipe pakistanaise avait de grosses difficults, mais finalement nous avons triomph. Je pense que le sport m’a donn la discipline et l’endurance pour persvrer pendant les annes creuses depuis que j’ai lanc mon parti.Pourtant, comment expliquer cette envole en un an peine ?
Depuis quinze ans, je lutte contre la corruption dmentielle des dirigeants de ce pays. Les chefs des partis traditionnels, le clan de Benazir Bhutto [ex-Premier ministre, assassine en 2007] et de Nawaz Sharif [autre ancien Premier ministre] sont de vritables mafias. Ils ont vol plusieurs milliards de dollars, de manire prouve. Plus personne n’a confiance en eux. Quand les inondations ont frapp le Pakistan en 2010, j’ai t le seul homme politique auquel les gens ont accept de verser des dons, parce qu’ils savaient que je serais le seul les distribuer rellement aux rfugis des crues. Depuis cette poque, nous avons de plus en plus d’adhsions.Quelle alternative offrez-vous ? En quoi tes-vous plus crdible ?
Sur la corruption, c’est flagrant. Je suis le seul dirigeant qui ait publi son patrimoine, comme en Occident, et le seul qui ait montr sa fiche d’impt. Les autres amassent des fortunes qu’ils exfiltrent l’tranger ; moi, j’ai gagn mon argent l’international et je l’ai rapatri au Pakistan. En outre, je n’ai pas de fortune personnelle. Cette villa o je vous reois, je l’ai construite en vendant mon appartement en Angleterre.[h=2]"L’AMRIQUE EST CENSE TRE NOTRE ALLIE MAIS SES DRONESNOUS BOMBARDENT CHAQUE SEMAINE. MON PEUPLE EST HUMILI"[/h]Qui sont vos adhrents ?
Nous nous servons beaucoup d’Internet, donc nous avons beaucoup de jeunes et plutt des gens des grandes villes. Dans les provinces, les seigneurs fodaux contrlent encore svrement leur lectorat, qu’ils grent comme un cheptel. Mais les choses changent. Mme la campagne, nous sommes en train de crer une lame de fond. Notre parti a un million de membres inscrits, et nous comptons quadrupler leur nombre d’ici trois mois. De toute faon, ce sera notre seule faon de gagner et de briser le statu quo : en provoquant un raz de mare. C’est pour a qu’on s’est mis m’appeler “Tsunami Khan”.Avec vos diatribes antipoliticiennes, certains vous considrent comme un agent dirig en sous-main par l’arme pour garder le contrle.
C’est compltement faux, je suis ind*pendant de l’arme et de l’Isi [les trs puissants services secrets]. C’est d’ailleurs moi qui ai fait ouvrir une enqute, afin de dmontrer qu’ils ont vers des millions de dollars des partis concurrents. Si je deviens Premier ministre, je m’assurerai que l’arme respecte enfin la Constitution et cesse d’influer sur la vie politique. Si elle est si puissante *aujourd’hui, c’est avant tout parce qu’elle comble un vide, en profitant de l’absence complte de leadership civil.On vous accuse d’tre populiste, de courtiser le vote fondamentaliste en vous alliant des partis radicaux et en critiquant l’Amrique. Quel serait votre programme si vous tiez lu ?
Ce n’est pas du populisme, c’est du ralisme. Les Amricains ont chou en Afghanistan, et l’Otan doit partir. Quant au Pakistan, nous avons subi 40 000 morts depuis le dbut de la “guerre contre le terrorisme”, et pour quels bnfices ? Les Pakistanais n’ont jamais t aussi humilis de leur histoire. Nos concitoyens sont arrts sans procs, emprisonns Guantanamo.Pourtant, le Pakistan inquite. *Beaucoup le dcrivent comme “le pays le plus dangereux au monde”, soutenant les talibans et nombre d’autres milices, en guerre larve contre l’Inde, muni de l’arme nuclaire, etc. Vous pensez que ce pays peut s’en sortir sans l’appui de *Washington ?
Oui. Et, de toute manire, les conditions ne pourraient pas tre pires prsent. Concernant l’Inde, je suis favorable des ngociations sincres qui rsoudraient une fois pour toutes le statut du Cachemire [rgion conteste par les deux pays]. J’ai toujours t contre le nuclaire et, lorsque nous aurons atteint une vraie solution, je soutiendrai un dsar*mement nuclaire bilatral. Concernant les talibans, c’est en grande partie un faux problme. L’islam est une religion de la modration. Il y a, mettons, 5 % d’idologues extrmistes qui ont pu prosprer cause de la violence amricaine. Le reste, ce sont juste des Afghans et des Pakistanais exasprs qu’on *envahisse leur pays ou qu’on les agresse. Supprimez les attaques de drones, les oprations de l’arme pakistanaise dans les zones tribales sur la frontire, et le terrorisme se rsorbera de lui-mme.Vous tes divorc. Est-ce, comme on l’a dit, parce qu’il vous tait impossible de gagner en tant mari une Anglaise ?
Mon emploi du temps d’homme politique n’a probablement pas aid notre couple, mais Jemima et moi avons divorc pour des raisons personnelles. Nous restons proches, mme si Jemima a refait sa vie de son ct et moi du mien. Mais nous nous parlons souvent, et nos deux fils [Suleiman et Kasim, 16 et 14 ans] viennent rgulirement me voir ici. Jemima a men une manifestation quand j’ai t emprisonn, elle est aussi venue au Pakistan il y a quelques mois pour un meeting que j’organisais contre les frappes de drones.Vous pouvez tre lu la tte d’un pays aussi conservateur sans tre mari ?
Je le pense. Et, de toute faon, si la question se rsume “Dois-je me *marier pour devenir Premier ministre ?”, alors la rponse sera non. Je suis prt tout pour aider mon pays, vraiment tout. Mais je ne suis pas dispos me marier juste pour gagner les lections… [Rires.]Craignez-vous pour votre scurit ? La politique est dangereuse au Pakistan...
C’est dangereux, vicieux mme parfois. On m’attaque, on me calomnie. Et plus mon parti prend de l’ampleur, plus j’irrite les mafias. Bien sr, il y a des risques d’attentat ou d’assassinat. On me dit de prendre plus de prcautions. Mais a ne m’arrtera pas. Je crois au destin et j’ai une tche accomplir. Je n’ai pas peur de la mort.

Source : http://www.parismatch.com/Actu-Match/Monde/Actu/Imran-Khan-Priere-pour-le-Pakistan-383707/