Change has taken place

Posted by on August 13, 2012 in Articles by Dr Shabir Choudhry | Comments Off

Change has taken place

Dr Shabir Choudhry  28 December 2011

Imran Khan is admired by millions inPakistanand around the globe because of his cricket talent and charm. He is the man who won Pakistan first ever Cricket World Cup, built first cancer hospital in name of his deceased mother; and achieved other goals in welfare work.

As a cricketer, a fund raiser and a social worker he was very successful. He then decided to become a politician that he can change plight of people by eradicating political ills ofPakistan; but he soon realised that politics was different to managing 10 cricket players in the field.

Despite his charisma and much propagated image of being honest and man of principle he badly failed to make a mark on politics of Pakistan. People liked his ideas and admired his struggle, but did not vote for him. Apart from that he showed his immaturity in field of politics by sometimes supporting wrong people in hope of getting appropriate rewards; or by taking on big players in politics and then abandoning his fight against them, as he did with Altaf Hussain.

Imran Khan was also known for his principled stand in matters of cricket, for example no allegation of match fixing. Also up till recently, he was hailed as a man who does not compromise on principles and who is ‘Mr clean’.

But all this has changed over the past few months; and many people question what kind of politics Imran Khan wishes to promote, as he is apparently making too many compromises. His critics point out that he might not have fixed cricket matches, but he has learnt how to ‘fix a public meeting’; and how to bend his political principles and still claim that he stands for a change.

At one time Imran Khan was deadly against MQM and it leader Altaf Hussain; and held him responsible for nearly all the ills ofKarachi. He thundered in various public meetings and press conferences and boasted that he was going to Londonto present evidence to the British police that they could expel him from London.

MQM and on other hand, also used their power and influence and did not allow him to enterKarachi, a city which people claimed was controlled by the MQM. Now both MQM and Imran Khan’s party are glove and hand; and Imran Khan has managed to hold one of the biggest public meetings inKarachi, a city where he was not allowed to enter. Imran Khan’s critics say this was result of a compromise – ‘fixing of a public meeting’. In return, Imran Khan did not say anything against the MQM.

 

Altaf Hussain, whom Imran Khan regarded as a political enemy and enemy of peace and stability in Karachi, was the first person to congratulate him on holding a successful public meeting. So one can see a change has already taken place. Mohammad Ali Mahar, in his article, ‘Imran Khan: tsunami or hot air balloon’ published in Daily Times Pakistan on 28 December 2011, wrote: ‘The establishment now needed a new horse to put its saddle on. However, they wanted someone who could take the MQM along, for they did not want to shoot the limping, but still useful, horse as yet’.

Apart from that Imran Khan, despite his hard work and incorruptible image, wandered in political wilderness for the past fifteen years. He held rallies and public meetings on issues that really affected people, but he could not muster more than 4-5 thousands people. Then what happened over the past few months that print and electronic media are presenting Imran Khan as a ‘messiah’?

 

After the Lahore public meeting, Imran Khan is perceived as a serious contender for power; and impression is being created that the proverbial bird of power – Huma, is going to sit on Imran Khan’s head, hence the race of all opportunists to Imran Khan’s PTI. As noted above, rightly or wrongly, change has taken place; and the following support this view:

 

  • Imran Khan, like a lion used to roar up and down the country against American policy in Pakistan and Afghanistan, for past many months there is a change in his attitude and tone, hence the change – no more rallies against America and no harsh words;

 

  • He used to speak in support of Taliban and their issues; and now he is tight lipped about that;

 

  • Also he used to speak about heavy handedness in FATA and Balochistan, and for past some months he is quiet on issues related to these areas as all is rosy there; whereas fact is that situation is getting from bad to worse there;

 

  • He boasted to promote transparent politics and refused to accept in his party those who had bad or unsatisfactory record; but for past few months, every one is welcome provided they declare their existing assets (no matter how they accumulated those assets) and are in a position to win seats;

 

  • He claims to endVIPculture, but finds it appropriate to fly in a private plane himself and live in a ‘palace’ in Bani Gala (Islamabad), which occupies many acres of land;

 

  • In his Karachi public meeting, his old and sincere colleagues from modest backgrounds were sidelined; and visible were those who belonged to established political families and had jumped the bandwagon in the past few weeks;

 

  • He supported the Musharaf dictatorship, but when he realised that there was nothing there for him, he started opposing him; and vehemently criticised his policies, especially related toAmerica. Despite that he finds it appropriate to welcome Foreign Minister of that era (who must have had considerable role in foreign policy) with open arms;

 

  • Similarly, Imran Khan strongly criticises Zardari government on corruption and various other issues, including relations withAmerica. Mahmood Shah Qureshi was the Foreign Minister, who must shoulder some responsibilities for policies of that time (he was so close toAmericaand wholeheartedly defended American policies that some inPakistanquestioned if he was a Foreign Minister of America orPakistan.
  • Imran Khan had no problem in accepting him and hailed his joining PTI as a big wicket. But the question is if Mr Qureshi or others were ‘bad’ inPPPor Q League, then what tonic Imran Khan has used to ‘purify’ them that they are now acceptable; and are fit to be part of a team which, according to Imran Khan, will bring major changes in Pakistan.

 

  • Imran Khan supported Kashmiri peoples right of self determination, but his recent statements demonstrate that he regards Gilgit Baltistan as part ofPakistan. Furthermore, he has alleged to have referred to militants as terrorists.

 

Many more things could be added to the above list, but this is sufficient to show that the change has taken place, and that change, unfortunately, is in the policies of the Captain, who after years of political wilderness has finally realised that he has to change and make him acceptable for the post of the Chief Executive of Pakistan.

 

Even ordinary people ofPakistanunderstand this much that no one can come to power inPakistanwithout patronage of the establishment; and without making him/her acceptable toWashingtonand few other capitals. So with help, guidance and support of experts and king makers in the establishment the Captain has ensued his journey to power. He knows he is not getting younger; and if he fails to make it this time, he would probably be among ‘old guard’ next time, and might not have the same attraction for the younger and energetic electorate.

 

A Million dollar question is will he make it? In my considered opinion, despite the establishment’s patronage, help and guidance he will not sweep the polls as he anticipates. Establishment, in my opinion, has also matured and would not like a clear

winner. They have realised that the two party system has advantages and disadvantages. This time they would like to have a hung parliament with three parties holding majority of the seats with no clear winner. In any case, establishment likes to bet on more than one horse; and Imran Khan should know this.

 

However, Imran Khan’s apparent popularity has made some positive changes too. People are coming to public meetings; and it has forced leaders of the both big parties to pay more attention to their workers and leaders. It may even force them to come to some arrangements on certain seats to keep the Captain and his big boys out of the race.

Writer is Director Diplomatic Committee of Kashmir National Party, political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com

View: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com      www.k4kashmir.com

 

About K4Kashmir

PROFILE OF Dr SHABIR CHOUDHRY Dr Shabir Choudhry was born in Nakker Shamali (near Panjeri) in District Bhimber, Azad Kashmir. He went to UK in 1966, and holds a dual nationality. Dr Shabir Choudhry has done extensive research on the issue of Kashmir and Indo Pakistan relations. He passed BA Honours in Politics and History, and Mphil in International Relations (title of the thesis, ‘Kashmir and Partition of India’); and title of his PhD thesis is ‘Kashmir- An issue of a nation not a dispute of a land’. Apart from this Dr Shabir Choudhry passed Post Graduates Certificates in Education, and NVQ Assessor’s qualifications; and taught English in London. Political Achievements Founder member of JKLF (Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front established in 1977) and got elected as a Press Secretary in 1984. • Became its Secretary General in 1985, and resigned from this post in 1996. • Got elected President of JKLF and Europe in May 1999, and decided not to contest in elections of July 2001. • Said good - bye to the JKLF as it is in many groups and is largely seen as advancing a Pakistani agenda on Kashmir dispute, and set up a new party Kashmir National Party in May 2008. . At present, he is: • Spokesman Kashmir National Party and Director Diplomatic Committee; • Founder member and Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs; Previously • A founder Member and Trustee/ Director of London based registered charity, Kashmir Foundation International and resigned from this position in August 2001. • Regularly take part in the Sessions of the UN Human Rights (Commission) now Council in Geneva; and address various conferences and seminars to oppose violence and highlight the Kashmir cause. • Have addressed dozens of seminars and conferences in the British Parliament, European Parliament and other important capitals of the world on issue of Kashmir, violence and terrorism. • Addressed as a key note speaker in a Conference at New Delhi arranged by Jawahar Lal Nehru University. • Participated in a Round Table Conference on Kashmir, organised by Socialist Group of European Parliament in Brussels in 1993. • Addressed as a Chief Guest in a seminar on issue of Mangla Dam during the UN Sub Commission’s proceedings in August 2003. • Addressed as a key - note speaker in a seminar on the issue of Gilgit and Baltistan, organised by Association of British Kashmiris. • Addressed as a keynote speaker on human rights conference in Paris in 1991. • Addressed at Cambridge University as a Chief Guest in a conference on Kashmir in 1990. • Addressed as a keynote speaker at New Delhi conference on Kashmir, which was part of Track Two diplomacy in November 2000. • In September 2008, addressed a Conference arranged by Interfaith International in Geneva, topic of which was: “Kashmir Issue, Terrorism and Human Rights”. • Addressed as a speaker in a NGO Conference on Self - Determination in Geneva in August 2000. • Addressed as a keynote speaker in a fringe meeting of Liberal Democrats at their Annual Conference in Brighton in 1995. • Participated in World Human Rights Conference in Vienna in 1993. • Before President Clinton's visit to India and Pakistan in 2000, lead a JKLF delegation to the State Department to discuss Kashmir dispute and situation in South Asia. • Also had two rounds of meetings with senior State Department officials before President Musharraf’s meeting to Washington in June 2003. • Apart from that had meetings with senior officials including Ministers of different countries, and also held many meetings with the State Department and Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials on number of occasions. • Played important role in advancing a Kashmiri perspective on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir; and also helped Baroness Emma Nicholson with her report ‘Kashmir: present situation and future prospects’, which was adopted by the European Parliament in May 2007. • Won first prize in an essay competition in Urdu in 1976. It was organised by High Commission of Pakistan in London, and title of the essay was 'Qaaid-e- Azam's role in Islamic History'. • Apart from that have addressed conferences in Brussels, Geneva, Toronto, Islamabad, Delhi, and Publications • Got first Urdu novel ‘Fareena’ published at the age of eighteen. • Second Urdu novel ‘Bay-Khataa’ which was about the problems of Asian youths living in UK published in 1983. • Third Urdu book ‘Pakistan and Kashmiri struggle for independence’ published in 1990. • Fourth Urdu book is also on Kashmiri struggle, 'Is an independent Kashmir a conspiracy?' • Apart from that has twenty five books and booklets published in English on various aspects of the Kashmiri struggle. • Recent publications are: Kashmir dispute as I see it • Different perspective on Kashmir • JKLF visit to Pakistan Administered Kashmir • Kashmir Needs a Change of Heart • If not self - determination then what? • Emma Nicholson report- who has won? • Struggle for independence, Jihad or proxy war (Introduction by Baroness Emma Nicholson) • Why 22 October 1947 is important in Kashmiri history? • New dimensions of the Kashmiri struggle. The following books are published by a German company and available on www.amazon.co.uk • New Round of the 'Great Game', ISBN 978-3-639-33084-7 • Liberation Struggle, Jihad or a Proxy War, ISBN 978-3-639-33424-1 • Kashmir Dispute: New Dimensions and New Challenges ISBN 978-3-639-33566-8 • Kashmir Dispute and Peace in South Asia ISBN 978-3-639-33732-7 • Terrorism, Kashmir Dispute and Possible Solutions ISBN 978-3-639-34239-0 • Kashmir And The Partition of India, (my Mphil research) ISBN 978-3-639-34801-9 • Kashmir – an Issue of a Nation not Dispute of a Land, (my PhD research) 978-3-639-35593-2 • Are Kashmiris part of the Kashmir Dispute? 978-3-639-37225-0 • A brief background Dr Shabir Choudhry was born in a small village called Nakker Shamali (near Panjeri) in District Bhimber, Azad Kashmir. He went to UK in 1966, and like other people from the region, holds a dual nationality. He left secondary school in 1970 with no qualifications and began his life as a textile worker. In 1975 he started part time studies and passed Matriculation from Government High School Panjeri, passed ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels from UK, and resumed full time degree course in 1981, and passed BA (Hons) in Politics and History in 1984. He continued full time and part time jobs until he got his Mphil. He passed his PGCE (Post Graduates Certificate in Education) in 1990, and then started full time job as a Lecturer. Due to health problems he resigned from teaching in 1999. At present he is self - employed, provides private tuition, translation and interpretation and consultancy. Through out his adult life he has actively worked for the cause of Kashmir, and even during long illness he effectively carried out his responsibilities as a leader of the JKLF, a ‘prolific writer’ and consistent campaigner of Rights Movement and peace in Jammu and Kashmir and South Asia. Dr Shabir Choudhry Email:drshabirchoudhry@googlemail.com Telephone: 0044 (0)7790942471

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