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shanrizvi
Posts:59
Insaf Tiger
 | | 23/08/2011 6:44 PM |
| | Imran Khan is undoubtedly the best person to lead Pakistan today but he and his party have disappointed me quite a bit in their outlook. My main issue is with the level of debate, involvement of youth and an inclination towards populism rather than criticism within the party.
The very reason why we stand where we do is because we, as a society, have failed to question things actively and use our minds. We have a "zindabad or murdabad" culture. The way I see PTI today, it is a party for the "Imran Khan Zindabad" crowd. It seems to be a party for young people with enough sense to realize Imran Khan is better than rest, but without the ability and ambition to lead and question. The PTI supporters that I have known have an attitude that says: He is better and I like him; please don't criticize him. As a society, we tend to avoid criticism and find it offensive. Is there any real debate on core issues within PTI? Does anyone argue with IK himself? Has he opened himself up to such discussions? I am sure there are a lot of people who would be interested in PTI if it had a more open culture of debate. Shouldn't PTI have a democratic process for formulating the party's opinion on core issues?
The involvement of the youth seems to be pretty passive too. Why is it restricted to showing up at dharnas, saying Imran Khan is the best, and defending him in conversations with friends? Is our youth really that intellectually bankrupt? I think PTI should offer politics as a career to the youth. By career, I don't mean way for them to get in power and exploit others. By career, I mean a clear path that they can pursue. It could start with volunteering for the party, leading to maybe an internship with the party, and then resulting in positions based on performance!
One thing that eludes me is, why can't young people be active in the PTI leadership? It sounds radical but why not? If you look at the political sphere in Pakistan, there are people with "experience" but experience in what? Experience with a really twisted system that we are trying to change? We are at a point that even if a monkey were the President, we'd be better off. Why can't PTI put aside cultural notions of "older -> better" and let the youth compete for leadership? If I am knowledgeable enough on politics, economics, and governance, why can't I get a relatively important position in the party? Why does it have to be some rusty old prick with as much testosterone as a corpse?
Lastly, I am quite disappointed by how, on many issues, Imran Khan has chosen populist viewpoints and completely ignored rational considerations. For example, his anti-drone rhetoric has been more of a slogan than a stance based on substance and argumentation. Isn't a drone just another weapon of war? Do we need to demonize it? The argument should be: We need accountability for people being killed in this war, with drones or without drones! Do we really need this heavy anti-US rhetoric? Would it not be more appropriate to honestly tell the nation where we are at fault? Isn't that what a leader does. Would it be wrong to say that we can't stop them from using drones because WE have failed to deal with these terrorists on our own?
Along the same lines is his anti-US rhetoric. Are they really the ones to blame if we cannot keep our domestic affairs in order? We have terrible finances, a very pro-Taliban establishment since 1990 and are currently unable to solve the militancy problem? We blame them for everything and then argue that we can survive without their aid. This is another point where I find Imran Khan slightly short-sighted.
International Politics isn't that simple. It is not about the few billion dollars we have received in financial aid for to be honest, that is a mere token. The real challenge is International Relations. We're living in a global village and economies are very closely linked together; can we really afford to isolate ourselves? Should we really be so emotional about it?
The most disappointing thing is that although he is much better than the rest on the scene, he doesn't answer potential questions. What he do if he were the President, the Army was unable to control the militants making it difficult for the US to fight in Afghanistan, and the US said we're going to come and take them out? Can he say no when they threaten to cut down aid and sever relations? Can he go on that confrontational course with the US? What would he say when Hilary Clinton refers to OBL being found in Abbottabad? How would we deal with the situation if the CIA gives evidence of ISI elements being involved in militancy?
Where does he stand on the blasphemy issue? Does he think the law should stay or be amended or removed from the constitution? Can he afford to take the lead on what is right or is he shying away from issues where popular opinion is strong?
There are many more questions that remain to be answered and till then, even though Imran Khan is better than the rest, I will remain skeptic of and disappointed by PTI. | | | |
| mirzachaudhary
Posts:77
Insaf Tiger
| | 23/08/2011 11:20 PM |
| I realy did not understand what he is talking about. My findings are that IK give to much weightage to youth. As far as arguments concerns, my experience is that IK listen toall critcism openly. You just have to be worthy for that. if you just critisize but not input then why should he listen to you.
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| Evergreen
Posts:380
Insaf Shaheen
Moderator
| | 24/08/2011 3:46 AM |
| | So what is the point? | | | |
| Akhterhayatmalik
Posts:216
Insaf Shaheen
| | 24/08/2011 4:02 AM |
| Dear Shanrizvi,
The party has not yet taken roots in the national politics and you are talking of criticism, openness and what not. You are also criticising the youth for nothing. Just compare them with the "Jiyalas" of PPP. Don't you find any difference, or still you think that "Jiyalas" are more visionary than the supporters of IK? it is a fact that IK is far more open, approachable, deliberate, candid, honest and straight forward than any of the leaders sitting on our heads since long just because of folly and innocence (call it criminal innocence) of our masses. So please let the catalyst of change takes its roots. | | | |
| Ishfaq A. Sheikh
Posts:49
| | 24/08/2011 4:04 AM |
| dear shanrizvi: You don't need to be disappointed. I'm a senior member of PTI think thank and assure you that PTI under the leadership of IK is far better than any other party. Let me quote an example here: At the time of unveil of 100 day plan, Imran Khan remains with the members of think thank since morning till late evening for two consecutive days, took keen interest in deliberations, put excellent questions, answers to some time harsh questions, welcomes criticism from many visiting members, had the same lunch with other members which no other old leader could have it or spent two whole restless days with the members. So, there is no point for disappointment, to weed out 60-year mess and change the mind-set of the people (majority illitrate) will take time.
Yes, there is always room for improvement and Imran Khan is not exceptional. For example, for the last 2-3 years in each meeting of advisory body, I have been stressing upon bringing revolutionary changes to save the country from complete collapse and protect the people from the wrath of corrupt rulers, plundrers, visionless leaders and sooner the better but of no avail. In yesterday at talk show on Dunya, Hasan Nisar and Luqman said the same thing to Imran Khan to take the lead of brining people to the street and we will be the first to sactifice ouerselves in case things go out of control but we must kick out these corrupt leaders who are ruining this great country. Now, we have come to a point of no return and we must act quickly unless its too late. Thru this blog, I also request Imran Khan to kindly now use street power by giving a call to the people, particularly, youth to come out and kick out these socalled leaders for ever. He has the will, the courage, the vision, the calibre and the strength of the people; so what else does he want. So, he must act now as institutional change is impossible.
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| Tariq24
Posts:66
Insaf Tiger
| | 24/08/2011 4:18 AM |
| @ dear brother shanrizvi
Your analysis is quite critical, i have recently joined PTI, i did a lot of search about PTI and IK by watching tv talk shows, reading articles and surfing the internet then i decided to join PTI and i got really impressed by IK's leadership qualities, He posses all the capabilities which a true leader should posses, all the questions you have raised are answered so many times by IK on different forums mostly in tv talk shows, IK is very open minded person, he is the heart beat of youth bcz he listens to every body and lives in the heart of youth, which other leader goes in public so openly with out strict security arrangements, Not only IK criticizes govt foreign policies and internal policies but he also gives solution he always comes with solutions which no other leader comes with, i request to u, please explore IK and PTI more through media, internet, facebook u ill get answers to all ur questions
Cheers
Tariq
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| NonStopLeo
Posts:143
Insaf Shaheen
| | 24/08/2011 4:20 AM |
| | Imran Khan has democratic mind & he listens his party members' opinions as well as criticism and also respond to them. | | | |
| shanrizvi
Posts:59
Insaf Tiger
| | 24/08/2011 7:52 AM |
| The replies to this post prove exactly what I was talking about. Nobody tried to make an argument and everyone resorted to typical responses that people usually resort to: "At least we are better than others.", "You, sir, are wrong."
mirzachaudhary, if you think Imran Khan gives too much weightage to the youth, why do you think the "weightage" is too much? Could you a bit more substance to your argument please? Why do our people feel the need to defend the leaders they like with a "my daddy is the best" kind of childish behavior? "I think he listens to all criticism openly if you are worthy of that. Why should he listen to you if you only criticize?" Seriously, that is all? That is your argument?
Akhterhayatmalik, you are basically arguing that we cannot have criticism and openness because the party has not taken its roots in national politics. How does that make any sense? It seems as if our people are severely insecure about everything. Criticism and openness doesn't weaken the party; it strengthens it! Strength is not about agreeing with everything the boss says, true strength of any relationship is defined by the degree of openness. And why do you need to resort to that comparison with PPP when I categorically pointed that Imran Khan is definitely better than all others and deserve a chance? Don't you think that is what our collective mindset has become? Agar aap 100 Rs. chori karo aur aap ko pakre to aap kahoge usko dekho wo 1000 Rs. karta hai. Why can't be criticize and discuss issues objectively? I don't care what PPP does; I am only giving my views on what needs to be changed if we are to catch up with the rest of the world! Is it not strange that even though I did concede that he is better than others, your reply to my analysis is a list of praises for Imran Khan.
Ishfaq A. Sheikh, I saw that episode of Khari Baat as well and totally agreed with Hassan Nisar there. My main criticism of IK is that it seems as if he makes the policy and he only supports people on the implementation perhaps. In Pakistan, that itself is good but does that mean we shouldn't think of what we should do as a nation and criticize IK accordingly? Don't you think the root of our problems and the reason behind how political parties are so non-progressive is that the leader is always the supreme authority who cannot be criticized if you are a member of the party?
Is it not telling that even though you are a senior member of the PTI think tank, you have to use this blog to request IK to do something?
I am just disappointed that our people in general are absolutely unable to analyze issues critically. They have been dumbed down and it is both depressing and scary. Don't you think it is dangerous that in response to criticism, instead of explaining why the points made are wrong, people just emotionally list down all good things about him?
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| dr.ak
Posts:1095
Insaf Shaheen
| | 24/08/2011 9:57 AM |
| @shanrizvi...Bro i tried my best to understand whts the point on which u want discussion and I tried again in ur second post to understand whats the case we want to discuss here.
Please elaborate on what issue u have reservations..Is it about lack of debate on this forum?? or is it about lack of debate at party platforms??It would also be useful if you could tell me abt you been part of any such PTI meeting so that we could know on what experience of yours U believe that there is lack of debate.
Also if u really want debate to flourish,i would humbly request u to be little polite in making your point..The way u have replied mirzachaudhry wasnt helpful in promoting any meaningful discussion.
I believe what Mirzachaudhry wanted to say was that U have to be somebody to make ur point being heard rather being a nobody having done nothing for party but want CEC to take steps according to their will...e.g Hasan Nisar and Mubasher were suggessting to him yesterday in a programme.We can agree or disagree with what they were saying but do we have to take their suggesstions as serious as if they had been coming from Dr Alvi or some other PTI member?My answer is NO because they have no stakes in PTI..Infact a person whose ideal party is MQM makes him so controversial that even his praisde for IK can sometimes feel as an insult.
Just like in 2008 when many of the journalists were asking IK to take part in 2008 elections and were terming it as a political suicide,IK was himself inclined to take part in elections because of immense pressure from workers but instead listened to Hamid Khan who was advocating for election boycott..this is how decisions are made in CEC,there is a debate and then there is a decision.Obviously sometimes the decision by IK at the end of Debate may not be somethng that everybody is pleased about.Many in CEC may even disagree with it but then as a leader IK has to be the one having the final say. | | | |
| Tariq24
Posts:66
Insaf Tiger
| | 24/08/2011 11:20 AM |
| Bro @ Shan Rizvi
As an example i have mentioned three links below, please do watch if u did not watch already, this was ary asma sherazi program in islamabad karachi company in this month august 2011,and tell me do the heads of PPP, PML N, or MQM come into public in such way as did IK, he answered all the question by common people although some of the questions were simply stupid to such a great personality and leader, but he faced the audience with patience and satisfied them with his logical answers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEKhNWG6SyM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ-ivtd1-O0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge55hqXp6Ps&feature=related
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