Army replaces a former pawn with a new one.
What difference does that make? The real masters of Pakistan are still Army Officers, and that ensure 8 decades of continuity.
3
Trump, Imran - anti-establishment, pro Military.
Some more pak-US common traits:
1. Same National Symbol – Eagle soaring free above the clouds: Individualists, freedom-loving government-hating
2. Manifest Destiny – Global universal vision. Extra-Territoriality
3. Newest nations in respective blocks – founded as Republics, against Democracy (of PMs Frederick Lord North and Nehru) - de facto leaders Free/Muslim worlds
4. Weak State, Lowest law abidance, Lowest tax
5. Military tradition and Industrial Complex, guns, armament, violence, regime changes, drugs
6. Largest population, Largest family size, Fastest Growth, Widest Gene Pool; Net population influx
7. Profoundly religious, God fearing, Charitable, Generous, Hospitable, Poor-friendly, Resilient
8. Drugs, Unique musicality – Jazz, hip-hop / Qawwali
9. largest population, Lowest literacy and education, anti-intellecual, innovative, practical sense of humour
10. Extremely mobile, multicultural, multilingual, mixed language
11. Freest lively Media, Reality and talk shows
12. Born Free Enterprising, Negotiating, deal making, positive public attitude to business US #1, Pakistan #2
13. Efficient markets, cheapest living in their blocks
14. Can survive without trade – feed population with borders shut.
Jinnah predicted to Life Magazine Pakistan to be the "pivot". As Cold War frontline, Pakistan achieved much for US - demise of the USSR. Now Pak morphs to China's common traits to be the pivot again, a great loss to the US.
Although it is the second time that one civilian government has handed power to another after serving a full term, it remains to be seen whether Imran Khan will finish his, given the daunting economic and political challenges he faces.
It may also be a matter of time that he starts to fall out with the military, due to his erratic behaviour and unpredictable personality – not an ideal puppet. Luck has seemed to be on Khan’s side since he received "the gift from the Panama Papers" two years ago.
2
Sounds like another Trump in many ways.Just what the world needs.
2
Taliban elected its first Prime Minister, not in Afghanistan whom they wanted to conquer but in Pakistan who funded them. Just Desserts!
4
Imran Khan has rightfully declared victory due to his party , PTI emerging as a single largest party in Pakistan. But his party does not seem to have received a clear majority on its own and therefore will need to build a coalition with other parties or with independents to go over the threshold and have a comfortable majority.
There seems to be an unexplained delay in declaring results for some of the parliamentary seats and it is unclear how many other party members of parliament (MP) will have to join PTI's attempt to form a stable government.
My calculations from reading the online newspaper DAWN, the primary English language news paper of Pakistan is that the PTI will fall short by at least 12 MPs. I think the best bet for PTI would be to form a coalition with Pakistan People's party (PPP) founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, father of Benazir and grand father of Bilawal Bhutto, the current head of the PPP which has so far 40+ seats and is not participating in the multi-party rigging conference.
The PTI and PPP combine will then have a comfortable majority of 160+ in a parliament of 270 members. Not a 2/3rds majority but enough to remain stable.
Since emerging as the leader of the largest party, Imran Khan has been talking about change and reform and a desire to have better relations with its neighbors, primarily India. He has shown a desire to resolve long term issues like Kashmir. He also seems willing to RESET relations with the USA and will likely meet Trump.
2
Sometimes a political leader can make a difference and change a country's historical path.
Vladimir Putin has restored Russia's global position as a nation to be reckoned with. Trump is attempting to make the US Great Again.
In the case of Pakistan, the charismatic Imran Khan is the right man at the right time. He has the opportunity to modernize the economy taking advantage of China's rise as a global economic power.
3
No man is perfect but his election is the best we could hope for. We must find a way to work with him.
1
Just one more tribal chief. H. sapiens is pathetic.
1
IMRAN KHAN'S claims that he will govern in a way that has never occurred previously sounds dangerously similar to Trump's claim that he can fix anything in the US better than anybody else. If the Pakistanis want to get their putative president-elect on the right track, they must challenge his grandiose, vacuous claims.
3
It is quite amazing to see an article like that which more specifically emphasize on Islam, Sufism and personal life of a person who has been democratically selected as PM of a free independent and sovereign country. Like we hear every saint has a past. And wonder how you guys get enough time out of your own President Trump that show's the general intellect of the people of United States, whose foundation were laid down by racism and genocide of the black community with high percentage of racism and crime rates with in its own states.
And yet you have concerns across the oceans in countries like Pakistan, like you removed Dr Morsi of Egypt who was democratically elected by his own people. We all can see the role of United States in issues like Palestine, Syria , Kashmir, Afghanistan. We can see how much peace US has spread across the globe.
Pakistan and its people are peace loving nation. Our religion first words are derived from peace these are the principles and foundations of our faith, until and unless your allies like Israel and terrorists state don't interfere which you guys always do. So i would say make this world a better place to live stop selling weapons across the globe spread love and peace instead. With so much blood and guilt on the hands of US it doesn't give any kind of moral right to you to point fingers at others. Respect your job and write with the truth don't inter prate the words and stories showing a picture which is not true.
8
The international election observers groups of UN, European Union (EU), Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and independent local observes like FAFEN (fafen.org) has declared the #PakistanParliamentaryElection2018 Free and Fair and appreciated the Turn Out. Official reports of most of these groups will released today 27-07-2018.
3
Pakistan since the 1970's has been a failure of leadership. Since the 1990's, the Bhutto and Sharif families have enriched themselves shamelessly while Pakistan languished further in poverty. Mature democracies (think Sweden, Switzerland) do not need charismatic leaders. Poor, uneducated countries like Pakistan do. It is rare to find a politician who is charismatic, who is not corrupt, who has surrounded himself with capable people, and who is willing to tackle issues head on. Pakistanis deserve better leadership. In Imran Khan they may have found it.
3
Great - just what the world needs, another erratic, unpredictable rich guy.
4
“The moment governance collapses, mafias appear.” He could be talking about the US right now.
8
I'm from India and i'm excited about Imran Khan becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan. At least there is a possibility of change (hopefully for the better) for the people that have been repeatedly taken for a ride by the Politicians and the Military.
But will the Military give him the foreign policy portfolio, trust him enough and go back to the barracks?
8
You know what, anyone who breaks the hold of the two incredibly corrupt, fraudulent, money grubbing political dynasties of Pakistan is welcome news to me.
Competition helps, the other parties now know that voters arent suckers.... the elections were fair and free.
Imran khan is a man who has built charity cancer hospitals where the poorest get state of the art treatment for free... tell me about another leader in all of South Asia ( many who have amassed staggering amounts of wealth by looting public finances) who have come even close to what Imran Khan has done in terms of philanthropy, for that alone he has my vote and my best wishes
12
@terrymandern in deed agree with your point, we have lot of rich guys, but they did not contributed a single penny to this country, what they had done is shift all their money to other countries, at least Imran never done it, instead he built hospitals, university, and other social works. frankly he lives like a comman man, lets hope Pakistan will be change in days ahead.
3
This can't possibly be a good news for anyone but the Military. Nawaz Sharif, though corrupt and incompetent, was nonetheless a moderate man who kept the Generals at bay. With him in jail and Benazir Bhutto dead Pakistan's govt will be nothing more than a facade for the Military. Trump should hold true to his words and cut all funding to Pakistan.
2
Imran Khan recently said on Twitter: " Some call me anti-American, others call me Pro Taliban, I am neither".
In my opinion, he is both and now he is the Prime Minister of Pakistan. His victory was made possible by the wave of anti- American sentiment in Pakistan since 9/11. His unique brand of anti-Americanism has a huge appeal among Pakistan's professional classes, youth, and women. In 2013, 64 percent of Pakistanis described the United States as an enemy in a Pew Research Center survey and Khan worked hard to capitalize on this widespread sentiment on the ground. Now Pakistan has elected a PM when its relations are the worst with the US and Afghanistan in decades.
Recently, when the Trump administration announced it was suspending security aid to Pakistan until the country took action against the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network, Khan called to “immediately remove excessive U.S. diplomatic, nondiplomatic, and intelligence personnel from Pakistan” and demanded that ground and air routes for U.S. military supplies to troops in Afghanistan be shut down.
5
Wrong perspective. He is, but, a person world will see help this region into be more peaceful.
1
@Padman we dont care if US has suspended their aid, better for Pakistan to stand on their own feet, instead of realling on grants.
1
In winning this election the people of Pakistan have squarely defeated the political dynasties that have been taking turns ruling, and ruining, the country for most of the last fifty years.
The people have won. The corrupt mafia dynasties have lost. It is a day of liberation for the people, a rebirth of democracy for Pakistan.
The accusation that Imran Khan has been critical of American policies in Afghanistan have no basis in fact. The truth is that Imran Khan has only advocated negotiations, even when it was not politically expedient, believing that it will be in America's interests to negotiate with Taliban instead of waging a long, protracted and seemingly unending war. It seems that is what American commanders on the ground in Afghanistan are now favorably considering, if not actively engaged in yet behind the scenes.
7
Re ....is on the cusp of becoming the leader of the nuclear-armed nation
Pakistan's real leader is the Army - Khan is a figure head.
2
@Talesofgenji
Correct!
US media is trying so hard to create this drama of worrying the readers about the global South. If imran khan has criticised the US anti terror policies, he became the bad guy right away. What about the trump rigged elections? Is the issue of his involvement with Cambridge Analytica in the last elections solved? Intellectual dishonesty at its peak. Imran Khan is the new Justin Trudeau of Pakistan. He is far more highly educated and intellectually sound than Mr Trump. Pakistan is becoming strong and democratic and the elections were the fairest in history till now as said by the European Union observatory missions covering elections.
13
all the best to Imran Khan
he has a treacherous mountain to climb and has his work cut out for him with tremendous expectations from an unfortunate nation
to rectify decades of corruption and misgovernance
Many Pakistanis including who are living in the west genuinely
believe he is the last hope the lift the country up from a precipice
put it on the right track and direction
and to achieve its potential
this is a pivotal moment in the history of Pakistan
I am also distressed by many comments by individuals from
a neighbouring country in similar forums with only negatives and as if knowing all to it about Pakistani politics
A prosperous ,peaceful and stable Pakistan should be in the best interest of India not the other way around
Imran Khan may not be perfect ,all of us humans have
shortcomings but he not corrupt from what has been seen in past record of his projects of Cancer hospital and educational institute
there are millions of overseas Pakistanis like myself who will love to invest in the country and give something back that made us what we are at present if we know that capital will be put to good use
9
Small selection of Imran cricketing highlights - these ones in Australia, from back in the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzA9TTH4on4
We love you Imran.
5
I am struck by the multitude of perspectives offered by Western writers trying to explain Pakistan's deplorable politics. Some say it is the military. Then it is the U.S., or Russian meddling. Then it is the residue of colonialism or maybe the pull of China. Pakistan is the Sargasso Sea of politics. All manner of political pathologies circle the world and land there. Best guess? A toxic marriage between Islam and ... ?
6
@edmassKhan will send Islam back to the Mosques & civilians,not clerics will rule again.
I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but Imran Khan was educated at an English public school (private school) and went on to get a degree in PPE at Oxford. (PPE = Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Oxford University = one of the UK's top two universities.) Surely this counts for something.
16
It appears that Pakistan has elected a far more capable leader than the U.S. He certainly can't be any more corrupt than Trump.
12
@JohnKhan is just another rich man trying to do his all for his country just like The Don.
@rick baldwin
Hes actually not very rich, he coukd be described as upper middle class, a lot of his money was made honestly during his cricketing days, and unlike other politicians in pakistan, he does not put his hand into the public till
1
@terrymander
The man has fame & some sorta fortune,all the women he wants & tons of friends-he doesn't need to be in one of the most dangerous jobs on earth.
Wait. It's way too early to rush to reach conclusions or form opinions. The Imran Brand that was used to get elected is most likely going to be a bit different from his actions as the Prime Minister. Plus, let the reality set in. After all, it's going to be his first term as Prime Minister of Pakistan - which to put it mildly has an impressive collection of problems - internal, external and fiscal. Resources are limited. Expectations are mighty. And, debts are already too high to borrow too much more.
It's nice to desire friendship with China but let's revisit that sentiment after he has had chance to review first hand the huge deals tilted towards China that his predecessors have already signed and locked Pakistan into for many decades. And, let's not forget the military. How much help, if any, he received from them. And, even if that was nothing, the military has it's own agenda.They want to decide who to love and who to hate. And same is going to be true vis-a-vis the religious factions of which there are are several and going by his previous statements, he owes at least something to them.
And last but not the least, if short of majority, the small parties he has to kowtow to to be able to reach the majority needed to first form a government.
He's smart. He's sincere. He's the best. That said, a very seasoned writer in Dawn newspaper in Pakistan asked just last week, "Doesn't Imran know that this Prime Ministership of Pakistan is a poisoned chalice?".
6
Not a big fan of Imran Khan. I would rather see a more secular person. Alas there are almost none. PPP is more secular, but mired in corruption charges.
Every election, opposition shouts of rigging. This time was no different, except the sheer magnitude of charges this time around makes it sound credible that some thing has happened. Probably, its time to move on. I wish Imran luck to achieve the utopia without any clear route to it.
Good thing has come out of this election. It is the election it self and Its not a Marshal law. Another civilian government completed its tenure. We can only hope that army stays out of the business of civil administration thus making the populace and institutions more mature in the practice of democracy.
4
@Bilal, Bilal, I am also with PPP, But unfortunatly Zardari destroyed the pary big time, i use to support PPP because i think it is the only secular party accptable to all class in Pakistan.
More power to you Pakistan.How you have swindled us to the tunes of billions and a nuclear arsenal of over 100 nuclear weapons.
But you are an ally, and Iran is an enemy.
I am in my 70's but the logic still excapes me.
4
@Fairplay4all Those billions were not given to Pakistan for free. Pakistan paid a heavy price in return as can be seen from its instability now. And Pakistan could not afford not to have nuclear weapons after India acquired them. Logic will escape you if you have incomplete knowledge of the situation.
5
Imran Khan wants to "create a just welfare state along the lines of what the Prophet Muhammad did centuries ago." Hope he means it.
Although he did get the army's support, he is a charismatic figure and can achieve good things on his own. If he tries harder, he could sway a good chunk of the army to his will. The army assumes a certain posture because no one else effectively guides them. Both Nawaz Sharif & Benazir Bhutto were not that interested in the welfare of the people. Nor was Musharraf. They were more like Donald Trump, promote self-interest.
If Imran Khan is a different breed, he has the wherewithal to achieve it and lift his country of 200 million out of poverty and deprivation. If he chooses to he can settle the Kashmir dispute with India. Perhaps, perhaps, Narendra Modi would relent and agrees to necessary adjustments in the geography of Kashmir between India & Pakistan. That would be a dream come true for well over a billion South Asians.
Perhaps in his second (probable) second term, a loose federation among the former British colonies of Bangladesh, India & Pakistan could be created for people to travel freely without a Visa and complete free trades, etc., as in the Eurozone.
Hope Imran Khan will succeed for the sake 200 million Pakistanis, if not the 1.65 billion South Asians.
6
More power to Imran Khan. He is the best hope for peace in the region, be it with neighboring India or Afghanistan. He is vastly beloved in India - a rare thing for a Pakistan citizen let alone its prime minister. One might even dare to say that he might win a popularity contest in India if pitted against Narendra Modi, its current right wing hardliner and PM.
I would urge the US population not to judge this very charismatic man before they have a chance to see him at work. His reconciliation policies toward the Taliban are driven more by a desire to establish peace inside the Northwestern province in Pakistan. Besides just a good outcome in Pakistan it is sure to have a beneficial flow down into the Kashmir region. Maybe India and Pakistan will now have a constructive dialogue around the disputed regions.
Pakistan has long been a pawn in the internecine chess game played between the US and the former Soviet Union. It should not be inconceivable to think that an Oxford educated, generous and suave man like Imran would exhibit a streak of independent thinking far removed from his less informed political predecessors. This guy spent his entire fortune opening up cancer hospitals to treat the less fortunate in his country. Show me one politician in the world, let alone the US, that showed such kindness.
Godspeed to you Imran. In India, we looked up to you when you were a cricket rock star. Across the world we look to you now to pull Pakistan out of the weeds.
24
@Chaitra Nailadi Jimmy Carter?
@Alex, There is no doubt that President Carter is a wonderful human being. However, his many humanitarian actions were post presidency not that it should take away from anything he has done. Imran Khan literally gave away his millions earned as a superstar cricketer right after his retirement from the sport.
@Chaitra Nailadi
Kashmir will go no where. Without it the Generals would not be unable to justify their free spending ways with the national budget. My understanding is that India would agree to the line of control becoming that international border. The army and security services of Pakistan under civil control? Never! Self interest promises us that Imran Khan will be kept in his place.
It appears that this election was not rigged. The last free and fair election in Pakistan's history was that of 1970 conducted by General Yahya. The western favorite Bhutto declined to sit in opposition in the Parliament and let the majority party form the government. It resulted in the division of Pakistan, East Pakistan became Bangladesh.
I do wish Imran Khan and his party well. A lot of us have heard his speech at his first news conference. He is promising accountability from top to bottom, starting with himself. Mr. Khan has his priorities in proper order as the first two being Education and health. Imran khan's party had been the government in KPK province. In this election his party won another mandate in KPK, indicating that they have done a good job.
Imran Khan does not have any reports/accusations of corruption. This is a big plus and let us hope that he succeeds in putting Pakistan on the right track. as many first time voters came out on his call to give him a hand in effecting change. He may not be good for India, as long as he is good for Pakistan and is able to reduce the illiteracy and poverty from Pakistan, he is good for the people of Pakistan.
7
@Wizarat
I hope so too. I'm an Indian American.
1
@A.G. Alias
I am hopimg, he should be good for both the countries, since he has a very huge fan following in India.
Khan has nothing but corrupt models to refer to in past Paki leadership. He is in power because of the military, a corrupt group of tremendous significance in Pakistan. Wait and see is the only viable approach to his impending election.
1
Pro Taliban, anti Afghanistan/India, anti America, pro China. There is not a lot to like about him, in a place where there is not a lot to like.
8
@RSSF
Curious. Where does he state that he's pro taliban?
3
@M. Bryant This is so well known -- one of his nicknames is Taliban Khan.
Amazing! Taliban Khan. You get what you like in this world of manipulated news. Imran has travelled far ahead. He is dynamic leader and will surely do what is good for Pakistan and it’s people, and to the regional stability and peace.
US has created instability for personal gains and thrown South Asia into deep troubles. Now, let the leaders of the region to solve their issues.
It takes a special talent to write a story about an incoming Pakistan PM, and the challenges ahead of him, without once mentioning the word India. Well played, Mr Gettleman.
6
Ten thousand years of tribal warlords, fighting , drugs and human trafficking
Pakistan isn’t going to change
6
@William Rodham
I was laat in Pakistan before 9-11,but then anyone could travel anywhere there without fear. Even in the Tribal Lands,where you could take an armed soldier for free.Give me back that Pakistan & even India will be happy.
1
He said he would fight corruption at the highest levels.
Try that with the Corps Commanders and IMDIM will find himself on a sticky wicket.
2
Great - yet another unstable head of state with nuclear capabilities at his disposal.
2
Good luck dude- Pakistani politics and judicial procedures are anything but cricket.
4
What leader of a country in his right mind would give another country, America, carte blance to bomb and kill its citizens with explaining it to the people . I would like to see him work with America to stem terrorism but he has to take his country back from America and those who puts the population in danger.
6
Imran Khan has been many things in his life. From a playboy to spiritualism. From marrying a Jew to supporting radical Islam. From being the most westernized Pakistanis to being a staunch supporter of the Taliban. Currently being popular among the masses to being a prop up of the military establishment. His biggest challenge may however be the economy and to stop it going the Venezuela , Zimbabwe way. A staunch supporter of the Taliban and went on record saying “America is destroying Pakistan “.
3
Pakistan is a country that is perennially at confusion with itself and the kind of nation it wants to be. Large sections of youth have no sense of civilization pride or history and are fed with serious dose of religion and it is a venom that can destroy any nation building. 30 people were bombed to death from a minorities in just one state. Imran Khan is just another wish of some of its dreaming citizens that tomorrow would be better. B But how do you change nation that is fed on steroids of religion for the past 40 yrs in 5 yrs, considering the dismal record of maintaining a PM in office consistently for five years. Not a single PM of the 19 served a full term in office. This lack of cohesion in a 97% muslim majority nation that rampantly uses religion in every sphere of life. But lets hope for the best. The real villain is its military but Khan's enemies will eventually get him with the same rope (military) Khan used to bring them down. This is a no brainer. Seems the world knows more about this nation than its citizens. The play is about to repeat with different actors.
4
Pakistan inspite of changing its PM won't show any improvement because of its underlying ethos of grip by its MILITARY,MULLAH COMPLEX nurturing non state actors doing their dirty work yet giving the govt deniability.This has served its purpose till 9/11 more than a decade ago after which USA woke up to the ground reality of Pakistani duplicity which continues to this day.With INDIA&USA in increasing strategic partnership Pakistan feels the economic isolation inspite of its proximity to CHINA.Sadly IMRAN KHAN like all the predecessors before him will FAIL to do any thing productive or constructive leaving the office just as others hopefully alive.
3
Author has neglected to mention IK second ex wife Resham Khan biography which mentioned numerous failings of IK as individual and politician. In his long quest to power he compromised with the extremists , army and "electables" Who ever comes to power In Pakistan will need to face population explosion,economy close to bankruptcy ,fanaticism. IK alone cannot solve the problem as the viable institutions have disappeared under successive Army rule
1
If Imran Khan embraces fundamentalist policies, there is no way Pakistan will be able to progress socially and economically. He must try to liberalize Pakistani society, and invest heavily on education, family planning, and infra-structure. There is no other way around it.
12
Dear Mr. Khan,
Congratulations on your decisive win in the elections. As a person of Indian origin, may I ask you to please restart dialog with India? Of course you have to set your house straight first, but once there is a bit of stability, please appoint someone smart, liberal and forward thinking as your Foreign Minister and give him/her the latitude they need to pursue friendly relationships with India.
The British, when they cleaved us into two countries forged a deep hatred among our nation-states. It's time we put an end to that division. Let's work together to make the sub-continent a better place for the next generation and the ones that follow them.
I know many people will revert back to the question of Kashmir. I think that is a problem that can be solved with dialogue. A bit of give and take will go a long way in establishing peace in that region. Can't we all agree to be grown-ups, adults even and sort this mess out once and for all?
Sincerely,
A brother from another mother.
25
It is hard to understand why Mr. Imran Khan is a fierce critic of the American counterterrorism policy.
If Mr. Khan were to explain to Americans why Osama bin Laden was able to live in Pakistan for years without detection, then America may be willing to reconsider its policy towards counterterrorism.
But untill that explanation is made, America can not be blamed for what appears to be the Pakistani Military's complicity with terrorist groups in that country.
14
@Thomas If America can explain why they were funding the future terrorists via Saudis? Why their own creation OBL turned against them? How was that possible that their super human CIA was unaware of the biggest terrorist plot & network right under their noses before 911.......then may be Pakistan reply about OBL presence near their garrison.
8
In this, the most disconcerting time, one hopes and prays for Mr. Khan's success. Pakistan is stultified by the warrior class, faces a hostile neighbor, and often is a willing tool in international geopolitical struggles. Mr. Khan arrived at this juncture fair and square The poverty stricken masses without access to basic necessities of life could use a champion. May Mr. Khan be that champion, there was another champion before him, Z. Bhutto but when he didn't toe the army line he met his end. Godspeed Mr. Khan.
7
A number of nations are focused on welfare, the middle east is dry, it's away from worked land like L.A. or Mexico and that's a good place for welfare. Brazil is struggling with welfare, the focus for many people is agriculture and rainforest conservation, biology, there are too many people demanding welfare so it's nice to have welfare states where people can go for welfare. Indians who don't sometimes go north where there is more welfare. Politics is really for tax payers, many countries don't pay taxes, they don't have a middle class and they vote for representation. Politics can be destabilizing to large populations on welfare, they don't pay for themselves or it subsidized, try to tone it down.
@Wellness Works
They wouldn't need welfare if they had jobs. Instead of whining about welfare, how are you proposing to put these people on their own feet? Humans do have needs for food, water, etc. Unless you think otherwise. Crying about welfare is weak, what about the farm bailouts?
1
@John Harper
Please look up the meaning of "welfare" in the dictionary. You will better understand what he is saying.
The International community needs to wake up to the need of local people of Pakistan, or whichever country they wish to comment on or have an opinion on.
Imran Khan has devoted his life to bring justice and prosperity to the people of Pakistan. He wants to serve his country and every single intention that he has is directed towards the wellbeing of his people, to lift them out of corruption, poverty, and injustice that his people faced for many years now.
When you choose not to support him, you choose to support the corrupt leaders that has brought the country to the brink of self-annihilation that you see Pakistan in.
When the people of Pakistan are happy, when any local people are happy, truly happy, it trickles down to the rest of the world. Don't be narrow-minded in your hearts and thoughts and only desire what's good for you.
The army was only there to monitor the transparency of the process which if you cared to learn about had been ridden with rigging in the past.
The nation has spoken, respect the will of people if nothing else.
3
He has taken twenty years to get there; so he must understand something about the people, the military, and the world outside cricket. If he can rein in upper classes and the military who are using the poor as disposables in a winless terror war, then he will be successful. Otherwise, it is business as usual and the terror games will continue. Military and the upper classes have ruined Pakistan by going for global alliances leading to major disasters.
5
Always admired Mr. Khan as a cricketer. A quick advice: start by exorcising the opium of hate/bigotry that has been espoused by seasoned politicians to win elections and start by investing in education and message of love. It's a "test" match so don't expect change in a day. Play the long game for the success and nourishment of Pakistan's soul and future! Good luck Mr. Khan!
18
I think Imran Khan is talking about creating a 'humane state', not a 'welfare state' as you have translated in the video above. May be the next word is 'a humanitarian state' where value of a human life is put first.
6
I wanted to add that Imran Khan has literally given up a lot for Pakistan. He has faced a lot. Back when he first entered politics, I was a 12, and I remember, after his marriage to Jemima, he was called all sorts of things, one of them being "agent of Israel" just because Jemima is Jewish. Now he is apparantly an "agent of Pakistani military". I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt, he may be just someone who feels passionately about his country and feels that he do something about it. Let's see. It is a good day that for once we do not have PPP or PML in power. Those two just took turns to govern and the result is there for all to see. Ok, if they couldn't control the military, they could have done something about education, health, infrastructure, fairness in getting a job, water management (Pakistan has severe lack of water and it is an urgent matter that needs looking into)...and I could go on and on and on. Messrs Sharifs and Bhutto-Zardari talk about democracy, fairness, but they have never delivered. Sure we can say Bilawal has never governed, but surely he can see what his grandfather did (Bhutto Senior brought in religion into politics by naming Pakistan 'Islamic Republic', and then he also brough in General Zia and the rest is history ). His mother was PM twice and she achieved nothing except increase her bank balance. It's a new change in Pakistan and Mr. Khan is not Trump.
9
People here have no idea about this man and his struggles. Ofcourse in US , Pakistan always get negative publicity no matter what but a large number of Indians won’t miss any chance to malign and cry foul against Pakistan either, as it’s clear from these comments. As far as corruption charges go, he was scrutinized number of times by opposition and came out clean, at the least he is better than every other option currently available in the country. About the perception that he is being helped by military and elections are rigged, this is pure propaganda from opposition parties as they lost seats even in their own localities, take example of Bilawal Bhutto who lost to PTI in Lyari, the main PPP locality where they have never lost. Then look at Sialkot and three other seats where PML-N beat PTI in close race, if there was rigging then these close races would have been easily turned in PTI’s favor. Most of all if Imran was involved in rigging he would never offer to open ballots this early. Remember, last time PML-N took years to do recounting at such allegations.
Also, other than cricket, he is well educated, have broader view of the world and the local understanding of country’s issues, just listen to his latest speech given today to country, no matter your background, you will find it reasonable and full of hope.
Plus, the best news, all religions parties were totally ignored by public. Indian channels were showing Hafeez party’s seat numbers , which is till ZERO.
8
@Ijaz
I agree.
Let's give this a chance and hope for Imran to have great success.
While he is fully Pakistani, he also has the capacity to be a bridge to the West...and create understanding between the two.
3
Can this ex-cricket player be trusted as the new guardian of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal?
@sharon5101
Why raise the question? Is there a cause for concern?
4
why not we've entrusted ours to a con man.
16
@sharon5101
We are trusting a perpetual liar/cheater/impulsive brat/megalomaniac etc with the worlds biggest nuclear arsenal aren't we?
8
Imran Khan has no scruples and changes his mind daily, just like Trump. Don't be surprised if they get along well. More importantly, nothing in Pakistan will change unless ISI wants it. More of the same, and they will continue to fool us.
@Jack
I'm not sure about his scruples, but it has been clear that both major political parties (Nawaz Sharif's PML-N and the Bhutto clan PPP) have been in power for decades and have a lot of corruption to show for it. And unlike Trump, Imran has actually done public projects for the good of the country and people are benefiting from that daily. I'm not sure why you are putting him down, especially considering the people that have been in power for the previous 30 years in Pakistan. Do you know of someone better to run the country?
3
Maybe get to work on the problem of pollution.
Imran Khan just created history after 22 years of endless struggle to help a fragile country and this article has reduced him to a sex symbol, a converted religious fanatic, an Army puppet! Some of the facts are not correct here! Pakistan has suffered tremendously when it supported US during the war on terror phase! Millions of innocent lives were lost chief among them were children.... so it feels right when he stands up for those innocent lives!! Every life is precious be it in US, India, or Afghanistan or Pakistan.... Foreign policies can’t be polarized towards the betterment of one country only! Mutual understanding and benefits are of critical importance to pave path for strong foreign policies!!
5
The one good quality that he has is honesty, he has been scrutinized and has come out clean. Let us hope that this will help overcome the baggage of army he is bringing, I wish him and the country success.
22
Imran Khan has been shaped by Pakistan, and now wants to see Pakistan shaped by Imran Khan...time will tell.
“Whereat some one of the loquacious Lot —
I think a Sufi pipkin-waxing hot —
All this of Pot and Potter — Tell me then,
Who is the Potter, pray, and who the Pot?”
Omar Khayyam
9
This of a piece with the declining control/influence of the United States globally.
The British built an empire that relied on divide and conquer and the use of locally-based elites. The US picked up on that and exerted influence through cultivating their own subservient stratums (Batista, Duvalier, Pinochet, Marcos, Mobutu, Diem, Thieu, Pahlavi, etc.).
That model is now fading with the decline of the American Empire. Less pliable, nationalist demagogues (Duterte, Chavez, and now Imran Khan) are the new pattern for local leaderships that seek to maneuver between the US, China, and Russia.
Do they seriously represent the interests of the oppressed masses? Not really.
17
@Robert
"American Empire"...
Therein lies the problem. Since the discovery of Bin Laden's hiding place was more of an embarrassment to us than to Pakistan, I think our model of cultivating influence and American interests has been a disaster that has nothing to do with any "decline". It seems this man can't be any worse than his predecessors and, quite possibly, might be an improvement.
2
@Robert
Nationalist demagogue?! 'Less pliable' maybe (and this is surely no surprise given wretched US behaviour in the region) but this does not make him a demagogue. Khan cannot be placed in the company of Chavez and Duterte.
Imran Khan's election is worrisome for Afghanistan and for the United States, worrisome in the umbrella of protection it affords the collaboration with terrorists in the military and the outright creation of terrorists in the ISI.
But chalk another one up to social media Mr. Khan has international exposure as being a darling for the same kind of people who in the U.S. accessed their inner anarcho-capitalist and voted for Trump. The man is cut from the same cloth as all the other internet-libertarian backed populists.
Good to see Zuckerberg's fortunes fall this morning. Social media is fueling a mad dash in country after country towards people who blame the "foreign hand" and prefer belligerence to the other as a way to harness their country's rightful angers about the corruption of the elite class these populists all seem to come from.
3
@ondelette
Pakistan is bankrupt. Military, Taliban, Libertarians, Socialites et al. all need someone with deep pockets to pay the bills. They will all pretend to play along as long as US taxpayer pays the bills.
6
Imran speaking just this week in English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AFNn0aw-zU
He sounds pretty reasonable to me.
22
A new intriguing Pakistan led by Pakistan's best ever former cricketer, well known in the British Commonwealth is emerging. All well wishers of the Pakistani people could be hopeful that Imran Khan will turn out to be the man of the Pakistani masses for the current times.
As of now Imran Khan (IK) has declared victory but according to Dawn newspaper, only 194/270 contested parliamentary seats have completed counting of the ballots. Although IK's party, PTI has 98 seats out of those 194, his party needs to be declared winners in 38 of the remaining 76 seats to gain a governing majority to form a stable government and fight off the first no-confidence vote.
If PTI does not gain a majority on its own, it has to form a coalition with other parties, alternatively other parties can cobble up a coalition as was done after the assassination of Benazer Bhutto when the PPP formed a coalition with the Nawaz Sharif party.
IK has promised wide ranging reforms for the people and hopefully he will deliver on those promises if in fact he does become the prime minister and is able to govern without corruption and Pakistan military interference.
Pakistan is a nuclear power and its military has long received generous financial aid. Recently, there have been doubts about whether such aid helped the Pakistani people. IK's hope has been to attract investments and steer Pakistan away from being labeled a "terrorist state". IK needs to take lesson from the "Modi magic" from neighboring India.
11
@Girish Kotwal
Of course Imran Khan promised reforms as all politicians do. But the idea or hope that when/if he becomes prime minister he will govern without corruption or the military's interference is already shot. The Pakistani military and Intelligence have got him in their pocket by backing his candidacy over others through pressure, threats and blackmail. Through his silence and lack of disapproval of the military's methods, he is abetting their corruption and just as guilty.
1
It is strange that a political leader supports strict blasphemy laws.
Such a law says, in effect, that the Creator of the heavens and the earth in all their glory is so sensitive that He needs a government to pass laws to keep His feelings from being hurt.
Nothing is more blasphemous than a blasphemy law.
39
Donald Trump, take two, with a religious angle thrown in.
3
@DC
Nothing like that. He is better educated and articulate than the previous prime minister. Not sure why there is any comparison of him with Trump, the blatant liar.
8
I respect Islam, but still am confusing how further it should go reforming with more universal -if not Western- virtues.
That all traditions in Islamic societies are wrong and must be converted to Western ones might be not an answer to all problems they're suffering.
perhaps we still don't know very much about Islam. their image depicted by outside media may not be correctly representing their real daily lives.
10
Imran Kahn is a step backward. He supports islamist fundamentalism, blasphemy laws and repressive policies. He lives in his own, giant private mansion. Give me a break.
24
Of course he has a private mansion. He is a superstar....had been for decades.
10
@Npeterucci IK is certainly not a step backward. He has proven himself in governing through his party, the KPK province, where good governance was a priority. He improved the police force as none of the other provinces, he had a cancer hospital built there for the poor and has provided the citizens with free health services, he has had many schools in the thousands built in remote areas where parents are given incentives to send their children to school, he has wiped out corruption from the civil register of properties and much much more. This is why he has done so well in the elections. He has shown the citizens of Pakistan his empathy for those who suffer poverty and worse.. I wish him the best in all his endeavours.. he is indeed a man who will fight corruption and bring into being a welfare state as shown in KPK...
17
@lkhan
Imran Khan has done so well in the elections because the Pakistani military and the Intelligence agencies have suppressed his rival candidates through harassment, intimidation and blackmail. He is totally indebted to them.
Mr. Gettleman appears to be confused or may be his goal is to confuse Pakistani voters.
On one-hand we are told that Imran Khan is anti-American, fiercely criticizing American counterterrorism policies in his country and in the region. On the other hand we are told that he is backed by Pakistan's military to the extent that the military has been busy imprisoning his election rivals.
At the same time, it is common knowledge that the high brass in Pakistani military are very close to US military and have been the recipient of many hundreds of millions US dollars in military aid. A number of them have graduated from US military schools and are good buddies with US generals at Pentagon. In other words, it is extremely unlikely that Pakistan's military does anything that the US and US military disapprove! Of course that is to be expected, given that Pakistan has two dozens or more nuclear bombs.
So, I would like to know how Mr. Gettleman squares this circle!
13
@Eddie B.
Pakistan Military is the chief sponsor of the Taliban that the US battles in Afghanistan. The Pakistan military pretends to be buddies with the US to keep the aid flowing. The US cannot openly criticize the Pakistan military because their supply lines in Afghanistan run through Pakistan. The US and Pakistan are like that married couple that hate each other but are forced to live under the same roof because of circumstances.
8
@Rahul do you have proof of "Pakistan Military is the chief sponsor of the Taliban that the US battles in Afghanistan". or are you relying on Indian Government propaganda? It may be true that some in the military are extremists but it is not the whole army. How about India adding discourse in Afghanistan against Pakistan? Let us keep India/Pakistan politics out of countries we live in, we must find ways to bring peace over there, that is the only way out of poverty and hatred.
1
A brutal, corrupt military uses a media star/sports hero as a figurehead to further their own power and control over a destitute nation. Good luck Pakistan.
42
@Discerning
Would you say it is worse than before or better? The past certainly hasn't been good for Pakistan. Regardless of who has been in power, the military has always played a role. I don't see how this is worse.
4
I think it is a good start. Imran Khan is untested in politics. Those guys you talk about, the ones in opposition, well, they are part of the problem. You have the brother of a former PM, who is now in jail, contesting an election, and on the other side you have Bilwal whose grandfather was a PM and as was the mother...sums it up. It's like as if they are the royal family and think it's their birth right to lead the party. Bilawal is the head of a "democratic" party...and he never had to contest to be it's head, his mother left him as the heir. What kind of democracy is that?
I think most people in Pakistan want, what everyone in any country would want, peace, jobs, health, security, education and I hope Imran Khan starts it on that path because the alternative is unthinkable. It is after all a Nuclear country. Almost everyone I know, and myself included, feel that Sharifs deserve to be in prison as does Mr. Zardari (the father of Bilawal). Pakistan is a military state and a state within a state and no one is denying that, but I hope Imran Khan can untangle that web without much bloodshed. If everyone in Pakistan stands up to the military, they won't be able to do more harm but it takes time.
9
@Zara Agree with you. IK deserves a chance especially after doing so well in the KPK province. Plus all his charity work - utterly outstanding, two free cancer hospitals treating thousands of the poor as nowhere else in the world.. and a university for the poor...
10
@Zara I would like to add, IK has been now for twenty two years had a presence in politics, and his party governed in KPK province for five years. He has faced terrible flak from the powers that be during this time who have used mafiosi tactics to destroy him... he has persevered, always with the vision that started him off in the world of politics... fight the cause of good governance, empathy for the poverty stricken, the youth of the nation, fight against infant mortality, health for all, and so on... he has much experience from what I can tell... and a great team backing him.
5
@lkhan Absolutely. He has to be given a chance and he has sacrificed a lot - he could have enjoyed a life of luxury and travel with his family, but he sacrificed it. He is one man and all Pakistan need is a good leader and I know people in Pakistan will follow them. I think it is fantastic and happy news that he has won, it is something to celebrate not doubt. Having someone from PPP or PML is the same ol...same ol people who have enriched themselves at the expense of ordinary Pakistanis.
1
This election has been going on for days.
How long does it take to fix an election in Pakistan?
13
@MIKEinNYC Beg to differ... the campaign about six weeks old, and votes taken yesterday.. By tonight results expected to be finalised... Please tell me how long the USA election takes...
4
@MIKEinNYC
It takes some time to get the drama and pretense just right. The military has been fooling the public in Pakistan for 70 years, give them some credit.
1
I hope the media gets this right. Mr Imran Khan is a puppet prime-minister, installed by the Pakistani military in a rigged election. He is also referred to as the Taliban prime-minister in Pakistan because of his parties close links with islamic militant groups in Pakistan, several of which have been declared as terror organizations by UN. So expect situation in Pakistan to get worse.
37
@IdoltrousInfidel
Go google EU mission review of these elections. You will get your answer.
2
This sounds very familiar.
Pakistan needs its people to practice birth control, and to get rid of blasphemy laws. It does not seem that either are on Imran Khan's agenda for the country. Mere ``good governance'' will not achieve these two.
41
Here in Australia Imran has always been a very popular figure as he was such a great player. He was an all rounder and captain. An all rounder is someone who is in the team for batting AND bowling (straight arm pitching). He was handsome and good natured with a wry sense of humor. For a player from an opposing overseas team to be popular in Australia is some accomplishment as we can be horribly parochial. He would be a great political leader as he understands the west. It would be good for the west if he became prime minister. I was sitting in the lobby of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Bombay (Mumbai) to get the air conditioning in 1986. In those days it was a common tourist practice for visitors to pull that cooling strategy. Imran strode in the door smiling. The whole Pakistani team followed him. As an Aussie cricket fan this was amazing- but that's India for you. Sadly many years later that hotel was the scene of an appalling terrorist atrocity when cruel fanatics took over the hotel, butchering people. Imran is the opposite of that. He is humane and moderate- also he was a very fine cricketer.
31
@Bob Guthrie
I agree.
America, please give this a chance. A lot of people from cricket loving nations in the West love Imran.
If he is willing to be a good statesman and work for the benefit of his people without pulling down others (i.e. America or India) this might be the start of a new day. Let's have an open mind.
26
@Bob Guthrie
If Imran Khan was truly humane and moderate, why has he never come out against that attack that killed so many innocent people? The same attack that was masterminded and supported by the military/ISI establishment that has got him elected?
21
@EC He has already pulled both of them down.. This can be proven from the statements he made under the "Foreign Policy" section of his press session.. He is reported to have said he "wished relations with the United States would be mutually beneficial, and not one-sided".. Honestly, by "one-sided", he implies it is the US which is benefitting through it..
Pertaining to India, he says the "biggest problem is Kashmir".. and that he wants "to improve relations with India if their leadership wants it"..
Oh my, yet another nuclear power with an "erratic and unpredictable" leader assuming power.
Aren't you glad that we have someone as capable as Donald Trump to steer our Ship of State through these increasingly perilous waters?
Just kidding. We're all doomed.
61
@Stan Chaz
But there's always Cricket!
3
You don’t know us! He is far better then others in our arsenal. He is not that bad.
@Stan Chaz
Please don't compare Khan to Trump. This article does not do Khan justice.
Wish him luck, for he is going to need it. Most omens are not good -- a confused and contradictory agenda (eliminate corruption and create good relations with India? With a corrupt crony-capitalist army and religious establishment as your main backers?); the willfulness which comes with inherited wealth and an elite high status background in a poor, medieval and feudal country; and success in a celebrity creating but irrelevant field, cricket. I predict a short honeymoon before the disappointment sets in.
8
This is nothing but a desperate attempt by the Pakistani military and ISI to continue its hold and grow rich at the expense of the Pakistani people. This has been their modus operandi since the creation of this country. In between giving birth and supporting terrorist organizations, manipulating politicians, and fanning hatred for India, the military/intelligence complex has its finger in every aspect of Pakistani society. They have played this game for so long that it is difficult to see any way for this nation to come out of this quagmire. The sooner Pakistan is put on the black list of the the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) - from the grey list it is on - the better. If Imran Khan is genuinely serious about rescuing his failed country, he should start by dismantling the blasphemy laws. WILL NOT HAPPEN.
15
Love Imran the Cricketer. Awesome talent, awesome attitude to win. Hope he brings that attitude to his country and do what is right. Here are my two wishes from him.
Today, it is ingrained into every Pakistani's brain to hate India and they don't even really know why. Pakistan is ruining itself with this hate.
Pakistan need to stop being a client (expletive) state of one country or another. First it was/is USA, and now China. Please stand up for yourselves.
42
@Herodotus What you say about education in Pakistan is absolutely spot on. When I was a kid, I only read about the Muslim invaders, Partition was shoved down our throats as something we had to do because Hindus were against Muslims, never mind the fact that an independent India's first ambassador to US was a Muslim man who had been in prison along with the rest of the Indian freedom fighters. You are right about how the whole heritage and history is wiped out, it's been going on for 71 years now and I really hope somehow people start to see the lies they have been taught. I am one of those who grew up in Pakistan, and then I started to read about the history and I do not buy the government propaganda anymore. If I can do it, so can others, I hope!
10
@Sujay You are quite right. I say that as a Pakistani. This hate for India is encouraged for no reason other than, I suppose, to keep the Pakistani military in a job. Same for Jinnah, it is impossible to question his intentions (I don't think they were noble intentions when Pakistan was created, I think he did Churchill's bidding and divided a country so the ports could be used by the west), he is portrayed as a saint. The struggles of Indian independence by Nehru and Gandhi are completely wiped out...I can see those things now but that is because I read up on history. Unfortunately, many in Pakistan cannot read or write and then they are burdened with every day survival, they have no time to dig up the past. I wish for both of our countries to become friends (it will need more effort from our side). We, after all, share a common history and DNA. We are the same people and I hope for nothing but peace between us.
I think another reason why Pakistanis can easily hate India is because many never come across a Hindu or another religion. It is easy to fear what you don't know and hence the people getting brainwashed and becoming extremists. Look at India's Muslims, they have neighbours that come from all sorts of background/religions. It is hard to make people hate something when they can easily see the lies.
May Imran Khan start a positive tone towards you guys...it has been almost 71 years of drifting in the unknown, it may take time but may we get there!
81
@Zara
Hi Zara,
Thoughtful and fair.
Thank you.
Another no-knowledge Steve Bannon/Peter Thiel supposed "strong" man to join The Con Don, Putin, Netanyahu, Ergogan, Duerte, Boris Johnson in destroying democracy around the world with their insatiable greed.
Actors, sports stars, money managers, inheritors - the people who have amassed money beyond comprehension through tax evasion and market manipulation think they are the "masters of the universe".
Sorry, boys and girls. WE THE PEOPLE are the true masters of the universe and WE will not let you destroy OUR lives with your boy-power-religion games.
Not now. Not ever again.
9
Opposition parties has baseless claim that there was rigging. As a matter of the fact, Imran has youth (men and women) followers who wanted to bring in the change. Please visit the urban and big towns almost all of the young generation is not interested in extremism and corruption. PPP run by Bhuto-Zardari monarchy and PML-N run by Nawaz Sharif family. This is not democracy.
3
@Ahsan
Of course a glamorous, wealthy and famous ex-cricketer beholden to the corrupt military/intelligence complex is the epitome of democracy.
Imran Khan is to Pakistan what Modi is to India. In South Asia, political dynasties and nepotism kept general public at bay, giving opportunity to leaders who promise a transparent reign. Imran Khan, if elected as PM, will have to deal with several typical third-world issues, including widespread poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. He has been lenient to the hardcore Islamists and sycophant for Army. Hence, controlling extremism and keeping democratic institution firm should be in his rule book if he intends to improve image of his country on world stage. The exports of Pakistan are dwindling and it is not easy to turnaround the economy of one of the most populous country with low literacy levels. All in all, it's not going to be a rollercoaster ride for this guy. He should reflect everything he is uttering right now in his work otherwise people will lose trust in leaders who claims to live an austere life and to work for welfare of poor.
8
Mr Khan, if, as seems will be the case, he does indeed become Pakistan's Prime Minister, will have his work cut out for him. The United States government would do well to cooperate with him in the enormous task of bringing better governance to Pakistan, rather than for ideological reasons attempting to create obstacles. Alas, given the ideologues in Mr Trump's administration, I find it difficult to be sanguine....
Henri
6
I use to love watching Imran Khan play cricket against the Aussies every summer as a kid from my couch in Sydney. I am so interested to see where this goes.
Love to Pakistan!
We hope to see your current cricket side here in Australia soon.
19
I hope he is going to be against Islamist terrorism
9
America, please, not one more penny of tax payer funded foreign or military aid to this unprincipled, terrorist using (when it benefits the rulers), lawless, blinkered nation. Never be in a foxhole with Pakistani rulers. They continue to use the Taliban to terrorize India and keep the fanatical, clergy inspired, Sunni majority preaching the ludicrous belief that the whole world is out to destroy Islam. God help all females in Pakistan, especially those poor girls in the tribal areas.
52
@Sid
Imran is a moderate who was married to an Englishwoman. He is not a terrorist. One should know better than to generalise like that. I have been to the subcontinent many times and was always treated very well by people there including Moslems. If you want a broad minded Pakistan leader, Imran is what you are looking for.
31
@Bob Guthrie
Maybe you have memories of Imran Khan from 30 years ago when he was a cricketer. You should read his recent statements and interviews before commenting. He has made his Islamist leanings and antipathy to the west very clear.
@Sid
Yes and agree, please stop all aid to Pakistan. I think it has already been done. And message to indians like you , not all problems in India are created by Pakistan. Few thousand extremists get more nes coverage than remaining 200 million people. Go check how many seats did religious parties won? They have all been ignored by public.
3
My family are enormous fans of Imran as a cricketeer.
But we are worried that he will be assassinated, like so many Pakistani leaders. He has young children and, as a father, I feel apprehensive about his future.
8
@jp
He is a candidate both the Military and the Taliban are supporting and those are the ones who do the assassinations so he should be safe.
4
@Rahul
With you so focused on internal Pakistan ‘s politics and news, did you miss that recently PTI ‘s candidate was killed in suicide attack? Or just simply choosing whatever you like.
1
Big win for the hero. Best cricketer ever. Best guy to lead.
6
Good luck to Imran Khan. Pakistan can only benefit from a fresh take and new direction.
21
Imran Khan has just shown the world what his ambitions are for 220 million country. He has been struggling hard for a long time to fight against the evils in the society. Imran has has shown to have cordial relations with the US. Being a straight forward person he has also intended to be in good terms with all the neighbors including India, with a positive concern to resolve the long standing dispute between the two countries, the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Imran Khan intends to see the rule of law in Pakistan seen never before.
16
good luck with that
8