Saturday 11 July 2009 (18 Rajab 1430)
Former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan is still the same smart, dashing and debonair person. Although his popularity has not diminished, his innings as a politician has so far not proved that successful when compared to his cricketing career. The swing toward him and his party has, however, recently been more evident. During the last three months, particularly after the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Khans Tehrik-e-Insaf party has become popular with the masses, something that is reflected in its recent membership campaign, which saw an all-time high in the number of new members. During an exclusive interview with Arab News at his party headquarters in G/6-4 in Islamabad on Friday, Khan was very relaxed. He was preparing for a public meeting later in the evening against the governments decision to hike the prices of petroleum products. Ironically, the building he had chosen as his partys headquarters was also the headquarters of the Pakistan Muslim League of ex-Premier Muhammad Khan Junejo. When this was pointed out to him, Khan said this was news to him while expounding on the current government, his partys growing popularity and the reasons why he did not fall in line with the establishment when offered the chance to lead the country with its backing. Excerpts from an interview:
Imran, your party has started a countrywide membership campaign. You did not participate in the last election and you disapprove of the electoral system. What is your real goal a revolution or parliamentary democracy?
Yes, I had to boycott the previous election because those polls were held by a military dictator, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, and he had sacked the chief justice (Iftikhar Chaudhry). We (the party members) felt that Musharraf would manipulate the polls and we will not get a fair deal. This was one of the main reasons that my party and I did not participate in the polls. Now, with the efforts of my party and the nation, the chief justice has been reinstated. We feel that the courts will deliver justice. And thats what we were all fighting for. Soon after the justices reinstatement, I initiated a membership campaign and we have registered 1,50,000 members from Lahore, 70,000 from Rawalpindi, 34,000 from Islamabad and 30,000 from Karachi. So I feel if we keep the momentum of opposing this corrupt government, our membership will increase manifold. And these numbers could bring us to power in the future.
How can you say this government is corrupt and it will not last long? It is a grand coalition.
It is not me who is saying this. Please check the latest Transparency International report. Corruption has gone up by 400 percent. The price index indicates an increase of 52 percent. After the passage of the national budget, inflation is growing and there are power shortages that have compelled many manufacturers to shut their units. The net result is ever-increasing unemployment. I can very confidently say that (Asif Ali) Zardaris government will not last long.
You are making this statement that is akin to a one-day cricket tie where your team needs 200 runs from 20 balls?
(He laughs) I say this because Zardari, like his predecessor, has made the Parliament a rubber-stamp body. I have developed some differences over this issue with my ally, Nawaz Sharif of the PML(N). Take the example of fresh taxation on petroleum products. Why was this issue not debated in Parliament? The president issued an ordinance to check a verdict from the Supreme Court. Why did the parties in the ruling coalition not debate the issue?
When you entered politics, the real establishment, I mean the military, wanted to groom you. Gen. Hamid Gul was all praises for you and Gen. Musharraf once commented, I wish Imran Khan becomes the prime minister of Pakistan. With this kind of patronage, why did you fail to make an impact or why did you not toe the generals line?
Thats correct that I supported the seven-point agenda of Gen. Musharraf. But later on I found Musharraf was surrounded by icons of corruption. So I decided to listen, hear and observe peoples problems and follow the path of the people of Pakistan. Maybe, in the process, I had a temporary setback. But at least I am not like the opportunist and corrupt politicians who do anything for power. No one can point a finger at me. People like me and my men played a vital role during the lawyers struggle. Now I have reorganized my party at grassroots level and Tehrik-e-Insaf has started setting up its offices at a district level, so thats a clear indicator that the people of Pakistan have not rejected me and my party outright. We are well prepared today to go for any by-election or fresh elections.
Do you demand snap polls?
Yes, because this government has failed miserably. (He then laughs.) Let Zardari make a few more blunders and the tide will turn soon. He is making one mistake after another.
Your views on Talebanization?
When I oppose military actions in Swat and Waziristan I indirectly oppose Talebanization. It was Gen. Musharraf who unleashed forces on Waziristan creating a breeding ground for the Taleban. I have been opposing Musharrafs policy of military action and my arguments have proved correct. Military action has helped the process of Talebanization. Look at Swat where the government says there are 5,000 Taleban. For 5,000 Taleban, the government has launched two military divisions.
It is easy to criticize but do you have solutions for the problems Pakistan is facing today?
I have learned many lessons during my journey in politics. You have to be people-friendly, you must care for the larger national interest, and you must serve the poor. Now, with the restoration of the real judiciary, we are very hopeful of cleaning up politics in Pakistan. The media also has to make people aware through their bold programs. My manifesto is not to make my party personality-oriented. Thats why I am reforming the organizational structure of the party. Some former legislators from different parties have recently joined Tehrik-e-Insaf and we hope this could bring in more quality leaders to the party. There needs to be an honest dialogue for a permanent solution of militancy in the NWFP and Pakistan.
Link :
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=9§ion ... m=7&y=2009
