Adil Najam
Flying in from London to Islamabad, I bumped into Imran Khan on the plane. There he was, sitting a couple of rows ahead of me, reading The News, with his own picture on its front page (meeting Nawaz Sharif in London). I had not yet seen the paper, nor followed that days events in London (I was flying in from Amsterdam where I had been in meetings all day). We exchanged a few pleasantries, said nice things about what we had been up to since we had last met in Chicago just about a year ago (I had reported in detail on that here).
I must say, I did not fully grasp everything he said until later after I landed in Islamabad and first saw his supporters and TV cameras lined up at the airport, and then every news channel covering his press conference in London, and its political implications. In our short conversation he pretty much covered the exact same points I saw him presenting on TV,with pretty much the same passion. I guess he had come fresh from the press conference. Since all of that is now in the news already, I will not repeat it. The one thing I did ask him about were rumors about his ‘patch up’ with the MQM leading to the lifting of the ban on his entry into Sindh. Readers would remember those rumors surfacing everywhere, including on ATP, a few days ago. He shrugged those away as nonsense and just rumors.
My own sense from this very brief discussion chat was that:
(a) he does seem very serious abut taking on MQM Chief Altaf Hussain,
(b) that he fully realizes the seriousness of what he is doing, and
(c) he seems to be doing this out of personal conviction much more than political opportunism.
I may turn out to be wrong, but my first impression was that the earnestness with which he spoke about what he was doing and why that cannot be easily faked. This, then, seems not to be a story that will fizzle away easily. Not if Imran can help it.
If this is, in fact, so then Pakistan politics will continue to become even more interesting than it already is. ‘Party’ politics may just come back into limelight, but not ways one had expected. If indeed there are to be elections in Pakistan soon then the impact of this tussle could go well beyond defining what happens to just Imran Khan and the MQM.
By the way, as it turned out it was an interesting PIA fight to be on. Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao boarded soon after me. As did Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan (returning, I believe from the WTO meeting in Geneva). They both greeted Imran with graciously, and briefly, and then then nearly all of us made teh best of the overnight flight by going off to sleep. Of course, I first watched the ‘Tribute to a Legend’ show on filmstar Muhammad Ali on the PIA channel.
P.S. In case you wonder, no, I did not speak to either of the Ministers. I do not know either of them, and would not have known what to say anyhow, especially if either of them had seen my own most recent musings on the political happenings in Pakistan.
NASHUS SAID: “I think Imran has a larger than life image in Pakistan and his involvement in the dirty politics of this country will do neither him nor the country any good. We need more projects like Shaukat Khanum and his under completion college in Mianwalli than his wasting with Altaf Hussain, Benazir and Nawaz Sharif.”
I think that is a riduclulous thing to say. You guys love to beat up on ‘dirty politicians’ but then do not want anyone ‘clean’ to enter politics - perhaps because none of you would have the guts, the stamina and be able to withstand jail, exile, cases against you, harassment of your families etc JUST ASK THE CJ WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. So, although you get so hysterical when anyone acuuses you cricket loving drawing room wallahs of being unrealistic and totally removed from the reality of Pakistani politics - all that happens is 100 pf you will now jump down my throat and get abusive. Perhaps it is time for some self-examination and reflection. ZJAN
I agree with SYMK and Sohail,we dont want Benazir or Nawaz sharif who have already ruined the country ,there is a famous quote in urdu “Azami Huwe ko nahi Azmana Chahiya,and we need to see Adil’s comments on Imran’s endeavours. I believe Imran’s initiative is the first ray of hope for middle, poor and educated class of Pakistan. If he wins his case…then there will be a hope that an ordinary , loyal and true patriotic can do something for country. I want to give an advice to Adil Najam that if he has the chance of meeting Imran Khan,he should advise him that he should have other renowned figures in his party , educated people, people who are national heroes, and who have a proven track record, of sicerity to the country,like Anwar Maqsood,Pervez Hoodbhoy,people like Aitizaz Ahsan, and i wont be wrong in saying Adil Najam, so that he can make a strong party, and have more seats in the assembly.
People who dont want to earn foreign support in the name of extremism, people who are sincere of Pakistan. Who dont want Pakistani’s to sell kidney’s to those who earn dollars.
Please I request do sth we are going through worst of the times.
Well said…
MB, Aqil Sajjad, Atiq-Abdulrehman, AUK, Viqar Minai
King faisal…
Usually to have an opinion about a person, we read or hear about or listen to that person (in person or on TV or Internet)….
The question to be asked is:
additional to what we ”already know” about Imran, whcih one of his interviews/presentations/talk show appearances have we seen lately.
And how do we compare that to the rest of the current political leadership in the country.
Imran Khan - FRESH AIR ? NOTTTT !
Alas
Imran Khan is the Fresh Air in Pakistani Politics. I have no concern with his past because it was his personal life. He never done anything wrong against our nation, he is not a criminal, liar or fraud. Imran Khan has dignity and he always has stood firm on his principles.
When he entered politics he rightly point out that if we want to eliminate corruption from Pakistan we need an independent Judiciary and now since 9th March we are witnessing the fact that Imran was right from the day one.
He is the only person who has shown courage to stand against MQM. All of us, even a common Karachi citizen knows the reality of MQM. Allah may help him in wining the case against Altaf Hussain, it will be blessing for Karachi to see off MQM.
Imran is fighting for the cause of common man and I can only pray for his success. One day I want to see him captaining (prime minister) our nation. I know for a fact he will be a great captain in politics too.
I see Imran Khan is a ray in darkness and he will shine soon in Pakistan’s politics. We (Pakistanis) needs a person who is determine and committed to his saying and acts, till yet he has proved himself. Also this is a turning point in Pakistan’s politics, his personality suits to fit for leadership for all of our ethinics (which is always a problem in our politics). Nawaz Sharif is loyal to Pakistan but not determine and committed, still people trust him instead Bainazir Bhutto. Alone Imran Khan may couldn’t get the target he needs support and his soft corner towards Nawaz Sharif is not bad approach. Lets see what comes out but be sure this is the time to change and it will be a big change in Pakistan’s politics.
MQM is a black spot on our forehead, they are not politicians but a gang of “bhai log” who has not selfrespect niether pride they can do any thing for money thats what for they are struggling. Imran has been hit the ball now its our turn to support him till the end, NOW OR NEVER!
I think the only silver lining in all that is currently happening in Pakistan, is the fact that the people are, for the first time, showing signs of life. The Pak media, whose unparalleled freedom in the unfortunate history of Pakistan is ironically owed to the Musharraf regime in no small measure, can definitely claim the major portion of credit after the legal community. However the Internet, blogging in particular, have also been very effective in raising public awareness.
To me, this spark of life is more important than Imran, the MQM, the General, the CJ, or anyone else. Once more, though, we seem to be getting sidetracked by being more emotionally focused on the personalities. This is deplorable.
The critical question is whether the current political awareness and activism can be sustained until a consensual and durable political process is firmly entrenched in Pakistan? Or will the people, as they did in the past, go back to sleep once the current establishment has been toppled?
That might turn out to be the last nail in the coffin.
No prophet would have won the popularity contest (and hence an election) in their time. Anyone who claims that the mark of success is winning an election or getting the top job does not know what success is. Imran isn’t one of those people. His fight is for equity and justice, not for some, but justice for all. He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone. My only regret is that this country will waste a guy who represents the best in mankind and should have been embraced by all. But our society marked by prejudice, hypocrisy, parochialism and opportunism is perhaps not ready for someone so pure. We keep questioning his intentions; keep trying to dig dirt on him. Someone here said that he is trying to get political mileage out of his hospital. You perhaps haven’t seen anyone suffering from cancer. How many dedicated cancer hospitals do we have in Pakistan? How many poor cancer patients can get any treatment in Pakistan; or for that matter, how many “cancer patients” can get any treatment in Pakistan.