Daily Times

Sir: I am surprised to discover that Imran Khan, who had categorically said prior to the elections in his speeches and interviews that he would not make an alliance with any other party, is now negotiating with the PPP, MQM and other parties to gain support to become an opposition leader in the National Assembly. This is quite contrary to his slogans and principles, as he conveyed to the public, for creating a new Pakistan. I am sure if he had gained more seats he would certainly have tried to deal with other parties to be at the apex of the administration. Khan, the cricketer turned politician, may still need to understand the politics of our country where politics revolves around feudal lords due to their influence, prevailing corruption and lack of education among the masses. He will need to gain some rational wisdom and experience to chalk his manifesto, expressing his visions to lead the people rather than raising hollow slogans to misguide the public. Though he was able to stir the public opinion for the right cause of a new beginning, he failed due to variable reasons. With the current party standing in the National Assembly, he may not be suitable to fill the slot of ‘opposition leader’ and if succeeded may fail to deliver the needful. If the PML-N can secure the requisite number of parliamentarians from independent candidates and not make an alliance with the PPP, Imran may not be the opposition leader as the one with majority will be nominated for that post.

Similarly, Sheikh Rashid and other strong vocal candidates who had been predicting different scenarios along with immature anchormen around the spectrum of news media have proved themselves wrong. Though the election of May 11, 2013 may not be regarded as fair and peaceful as some remote atrocities and irregularities happened, but still the election went reasonably well with a high turn out and, for this, all those involved in making it happen deserve praise.

MOHAMMAD ASHRAF

Winnipeg,

Canada