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.
The first time I heard Imran Khan speak was more than a decade ago–at a fundraiser for his hospital. I found the speech very odd because his main theme was that he was that he found all his happiness from the Koran. Ironically, after the speech, he was sitting at our table and somehow the conversation started revolving around Mike Tyson’s rape case (which was big news in the early 90s) and Imran’s shocking response was: “ab ap hi batain, agar aik larki raat ko aap ke kamray main a jaye to insaan kiya kare?”
So I definitely thought that women’s rights were far from his agenda. As much as I would like to believe that he has matured, in many ways, he hasn’t and he still voted against the repeal of the Hudood Ordinance.
I went to hear him speak at the LSE in London this week and was keen to learn about the legal case he is filing here and the political strategy for his party as his recent tv interviews were encouraging, but the speech at the LSE was disappointing–same old thing about the english medium–excuse me, but I have to ask: where are his children going to school? If you can’t practice what you preach, then it’s best to focus on stuff you can fix–it is nearly impossible to correct the Urdu/English medium dichotomy in Pakistan, so maybe we can start with other things–more do-able tangible stuff. In sum, I still think Imran Khan is not the answer. I’ll tell you who I think is–Aitzaz Ahsan–not Benazir–but Aitzaz. I sincerely hope that he decides to take a more active role. He is truly liberal, englightened, not hypocritical and not financially corrupt either–sincerity of course is impossible to gage unless one is given a chance.
Imran is looking better and better. And MQM just did him great political favor by banning him. He has become bigger than ever before.
Well for starters , we are all pessimists and we have the constant political upheavels these politicians have put us through to blame for it. I would love to say that Imran Khan has been coming forth as a mature politician with some foresite and a certain commitment on a lot of issues , but would i vote for him , if i go out to vote at all , is a big question mark ,
what stops me ? BB came , we were all jubilant , here comes a woman , who is pragmatic and modern and we will finally say goodbye to the ills of our society.
what we got was mr. 10%
Nawaz Sharif came and we then thought , this will definately be IT. there were will be some political stability in the country finally .
what we got was goondas in the form of saif ur rehman and a political dictatership.
Musharaff came , we thought ok , he will bring in enlightened moderation and get us out of this incessant negative cycle.
what do we have now ??
It goes on and on and on. so how different will Imran Khan be ? He may have taken on the govt , the MQM and the rest on and this may even lead him to victory if there are elections (assuming they are not rigged). He may even be talking a lot of sense in a lot of his interviews now, He may even have humbled now from that arrogant captain we knew of yonder years.
What then ?
will he be corrupted too ?
will he also want to stay put and not let go of power?
I think yes , and sad as it is , i am not being a pessimist , i am being a realist !
It does seem that Imran has changed and has a better sense of reality this time. He may just surprise us.
Again, all the women have spoken out of spike. Ladies of Islam, please lets not confuse modernization with westernization. I know, Muslim ladies, especially in their 30s OR who are not married yet, are generally bitter towards men. So lets not use Imran Khan to get our frustration out. Let me ask you what have you done for your country other then given a donation every year?