Adil Najam
This Friday and Saturday I was in Chicago to speak at two different events that were part of the Annual APPNA Convention (APPNA is the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent in North America). On Friday my talk was about the future challenges related to the 2005 earthquake.
On Saturday, however, I was part of a 2-person panel on ‘Building Democratic Institutions in Pakistan,’ organized by the Pak-American Democracy Dialogue (PADD). The other featured speaker on the panel was former cricketer and now head of Tehrik-e-Insaaf, Imran Khan. I guess, to be honest, I (and not Imran) was the ‘other’ person.
What I had to say during my presentation and the hour-long Q&A session was of little significance (and not very different from what I have published elsewhere or written on ATP). But what Imran said should be of interest to many; and since you won’t find a report on this anywhere else, I guess we can say that this is an ATP Exclusive!
But before reporting on what he said, let me just say a few words about my impression of him based on this two-and-a-half hour interaction. As always, he came across as extremely passionate, clearly sincere, and quite principled. He also came across as rather angry but also determined. The first time I had met him was in the late 1980s; he was then a cricketing god, and I a sports reporter for the now defunct Daily Muslim. At that point, and in some subsequent meetings, he did come across as rather arrogant. I must confess that this time he did not seem arrogant. The characteristic self-confidence, charisma and an uncompromising posture was still there. But there was also an odd Imran-like humility. Maybe age combined with accumulated political experience of failure can do that people. Over all, I must confess, I came out being more impressed than I had thought I would be. I also surprised myself by agreeing with him more often (though not always) than I thought I would.
So, here are a few things he had to say–you will note that a number of these are interesting predictions and things we have not heard him saying before (these are based on the notes I took, and may not always be exact quotations)…
On his relationship with Gen. Musharraf. I now realize that our good relationship in the beginning was based on two wrong assumptions. He assumed, wrongly, that I wanted to be Prime Minister. And I assumed, wrongly, that he was a genuine reformer.
On politics in Pakistan. You have to realize that what we have in Pakistan is not just feudal politics, but ‘political terrorism.’ People are not forced but coerced into voting a particular way, through the most violent means.
On the ‘English Medium’ class: It is sad and ironic that the very people on whom we spend the largest amount of the nation’s educational resources–the ‘English Medium Class’–are the most deculturalized from the essence of Pakistan and the most depoliticized from the politics of Pakistan. They are the first to pontificate on what is wrong with politics and democracy, but the very last to vote. In fact, they usually do not vote at all.
On the next elections. We are approaching one of the most exciting phase of our country’s political history. You will see mass movements starting in September. And the next elections–if they are held–will either be like the 1970 elections or like the 1977 elections. Either, they will witness a total change of faces and everyone, including the authorities, will be surprised. Or, they will be so transparently manipulated that people will come to the streets to overturn the results.
Nuzhat, i dont think the point is berating the English Medium class, it is what most of them stand for and how they treat the country in general, their humungous egos and their inability and unwillingness to connect with the majority of the country. Imran might be able to connect with them precisely because he comes from the same background but if he has realized some of the follies and pitfalls of it, then salut to him and hope he can convert many more along the way.
….whole educated class will be with Imran Khan if he acts what he say….noy just word playing game with innocent people…keep their hopes high people love you so payback them in concrete terms…
Based on my brief encounters with IK I’ve felt the same change in his personality as mentioned by Adil. Going beyond his personality and stance I see this as a case study of someone who wants to bring in change …. and is struggling against the system. Perhaps it may be better for change drivers like IK to focus on a few priority agenda items and push for them instead of stretching themselves too thin. Anyway I admire his courage to stand up against the rulers and say what he thinks is fair. On a related note the Economist has a special report: Unstable Pakistan
http://economist.com/surveys/displaystory.cfm?stor y_id=7107838
I was at the same event, and had the opportunity to hear him at two other events at the same conference. I agree with Adil that he was his most humble self at the Saturday event. In fact, I thought he did connect with the audience, the majority of whom were the English-medium class that he is constantly berating. On Friday evening, there was another event where I asked him the following questions:
a) Would he vote for repealment of Hudood Ordinance? His answer was a clear yes.
b) Did he envision Pakistan as a secular country, an Islamic State, or as a country for muslims? He completely blew off this,in my opinion, very important distinction and started ranting about how, we the English-medium class were always concerned about the Mullahs.
I agree with him on a lot of issues, but am still not sure how he perceives the identity of Pakistan.
I have always been a fan of What Mr. Khan says about gora saahibs and the English speaking midle class and elite being the most divorced from what is happening around them, but I would have dearly loved to hear his views on the role of women in society, again. Somebody desperately needs to grill him in that regard. Otherwise interesting piece, though I do wish it could have been a bit more comprehensive.