Imran Khan’s Political Innings

Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have spent many years in Pakistan’s political wilderness. Despite his platform for change and condemnation of the incessantly corrupt Pakistani political culture, PTI has had very little to show for itself in Pakistan’s political system since it was founded in 1996. So it came as a total surprise to many to observe Imran Khan reverse his political fortunes by leading a massive rally in Lahore recently. Estimates vary from 70,000 to over 200,000 people at the rally, depending upon who you talk to. Whatever the number it is poignant to note that Khan’s rally build up was given generous televised support in advance by parts of the media which without objection from Pakistan’s ever powerful establishment seems inconceivable.
.. This is proven and further complicated by the fact that Khan himself is beginning to accept old politicians from the established parties such as Mian Muhammad Azhar, Abdul Aleem Khan, Iftikhar Jhagra, and Shahid Akram Bhinder with many other PML-Q and PPP deserters looking to climb aboard the PTI ship. The biggest heavyweight arrival so far though with equally proportionate baggage is that of former PPP Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi who has quite spectacularly been installed as PTI’s ‘Vice Chairman’. Qureshi is the man who oversaw the subservient foreign policy for much of the PPP led government’s tenure including the secret pact with the US for the drone strikes which PTI has continuously denounced. Moreover the choice and addition of the notorious former Intelligence Bureau Chief and PPP legislator Masood Sharif Khattak can only strengthen claims of PTI becoming close to the establishment. (Excerpts from Atif Salahuddin’s article from View Point Online, Dec. 9, 2011 – Image: Dec.2)
Backdoor diplomacy: PTI ‘comfortable’ working with the US: Sloganeering and public rhetoric aside, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf would be willing to partner with the United States, party leaders say. Party Chairman Imran Khan, at a recent meeting with the US ambassador, indicated that his party would be ‘absolutely comfortable’ working with the US on all issues, including the war on terror, since both countries have strong mutual interests. (TET, Dec. 12)