Daily Times

Frustrated and disappointed, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan once again dented his political image with another absurd statement while addressing the empty chairs in the audience at the public meeting held in Lahore last Wednesday. The political gathering itself was a sheer disappointment for all the united-opposition against the government. Having all tactful thinking and shrewd plans, the masterminds of political chess-game could not pull a reasonable crowd on the Mall Road. Secondly, the agenda of their political gathering had no sufficient backing with logical substance while the aggrieved Pakistan Awami Tahreek (PAT) could not follow up the legal options they were provided with on the Model Town incident.

Though the Model Town incident was a big tragedy, it lacked swift and vigorous follow-up by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek and their chief had been sitting abroad for long. Perhaps the incident is being used as political stunt for the forthcoming general elections. The Mall Road joint political rally was actually meant to explore the possibility of getting together for the election campaign, and the idea failed. Seemingly, Tahirul Qadri successfully managed the shoulders of PPP, PTI and others but failed to demonstrate the leadership to pull out the significant crowd. The rally showed the bubbled up hype for another moronic political step of the rejected and dejected political forces. Even the religious incitement could not deliver the desired results on the public front for the PAT.

His cursing and using the derogatory words for the parliament has initiated another controversy in the country and revealed the insane instincts of a so-called leader that intends to bring about a socio-political change in the country. Over the time, Imran Khan has proved to be a local Donald Trump who is fast losing his repute and image as he continues delivering absurd statements. Same is the case with his close-aide Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed of Lal Haveli and ‘political cousin’ Tahirul Qadri. Both have proved themselves as authentic and floating opportunists.

Only Imran Khan can forget the abrupt and sudden jump out of Tahirul Qadri from the joint sit-in at the front of the Parliament House when the latter achieved his ‘objective’ and fled away to Canada in no time. Imran Khan needs to learn from such incidents where his political aides detracted him and incited him to say lousy words and to deliver unwise statements that were turned counter-productive and fired-back as well.

Imran Khan, Sheikh Rasheed and Tahirul Qadri are not the only drivers of deception on the political front. There are many others. Some of them wear the garb of faith and use the religious ideologies to further their agendas by fooling the common folk, who blindly trust their ‘holy’ leaders

Humiliating the sanctity of the parliament that is the head and brain of a sovereign state is disgusting to say the least. He needs to understand the importance, prestige and sanctity of the state institutions despite all the grievances and differences with the people sitting in the institutions. People sitting there may make the decisions contrary to the aspirations and desires of someone but it does not mean to devalue and go on cursing the institution.

Democracy means the will of majority. One shall not dare to challenge the stance of the majority rather try to popularise the stance he believes in. Wise are the people who have political guts to get more support to their stance without creating insanity and chaos in the society. Imran Khan still needs to learn it. How could he use derogatory words for a state institution from where he is getting the only legitimate income in terms of salary and bonuses?

Renowned journalist Imtiaz Alam tweeted. “PTI MNAs and Senators including Imran khan (have) received Rs. 117 million or 11 crore and 70 Lakh Rupees annually and in four years they got Rs 468 million and till now almost one billion rupees from us the tax-payers. If they abuse Parliament, then why did they receive all privileges from the parliament?”

It seems Imran Khan has forgetten Tahirul Qadri’s abrupt escape to Canada from the joint sit-in in front of the Parliament House. Once he had achieved his ‘objective’, Qadri saw no need to stand alongside the PTI Chief. Imran Khan needs to learn from such incidents where his political aides incited him to deliver unwise statements, and didnt stand by him once they backfired

While defending the state institution, Imtiaz Alam listed the legislation the parliament has done so far in a tweet replying to a question, “legislative list is big. It includes finance bills; status of GB (Gilgit-Baltistan); extension of jurisdiction of SC (Supreme Court) and PHC (Peshawar High Court) to FATA; electoral reforms; infrastructure and energy projects; CPEC; foreign and security policies; NAP (National Action Plan); anti-terrorism legislation; expansion of BISP (Benazir Income Support Programme); GDP growth, lesser inflation; electoral reforms, and so on.”

Another question to Imran Khan could possibly be as to why he is running a political party and contesting elections, if the parliament is not of any worth. Pakistan’s legislature has turned to present chaotic situation because of the spread of ignorant politicians like him and many others who are adulterated with different vested interests.

Imran Khan, Sheikh Rasheed and Tahirul Qadri are not the only deception drivers on the political front. There are many others. Some of them are wearing faith garbs and using the religious ideologies to further their agendas by fooling the common folks who insanely trust their ‘holy’ leaders.

These leaders should mend their ways before the actualities behind their sinful deceptive deliberations are revealed, and before it flares up the common folk to give back in the same coins to their ‘most trusted’ leadership. Truth has to emerge sooner than later. The blind-folded folks have to see the actual faces of their leadership — the political morons and the faith twisters.

The writer is an Islamabad-based policy advocacy, strategic communication and outreach expert. He can be reached at devcom.pakistan@gmail.com. He tweets @EmmayeSyed

Published in Daily Times, January 23^rd 2018.