Imran Khan’s political ‘short selling’

Guest Blog by Islamabad Observer

Short selling is a term widely used in financial world and equity markets. In simple words it is promise of selling something which you don’t own actually. Every year many traders gather fortune through short selling. Infect last year half of top 1000 richest of the world were traders and most of that half were short seller, as markets slides.

No business activity or production is involved in short selling. The person acquiring such wealth is sole actor and a ‘beneficiary’. Gain without Pain. Is not it interesting? But more interesting is politics in Pakistan where many have gathered political fortune through political short selling. What it takes is tricks of a ‘smart man’ and how good he is in manipulation. Principals, ethics, a program or political organization to implement such program are meaningless.

Movement for restoration of judiciary started by lawyers was a movement of middle class educated people. Participation of doctors, journalists, teachers and civil society organization made it a popular movement of masses. Ideally, the liberal and middle class political parties are natural allies of such movements. Surprisingly, liberal to left parties with roots in masses like PPP, MQM and ANP decided to stand on other side of a popular movement.

This created a vacuum which was filled by right to middle right groups like PML, PTI and JI. All of these gathered huge political dividend. Nawaz Sharif, whose political career was facing an end, rose to a popular national leader. Imran Khan successfully got huge number of young educated members. JI which always acted as a tool for dictators, become a champion of struggle against dictatorship. Is it anything more then political ‘short selling’?

A person or a group asking for independence of judiciary and rule of law must believe on dispensation of justice by state institutions and laws passed by duly elected parliament.

PML which stands as a middle right party dominated by traders and businessmen can digest an independent judiciary to certain extent. Not too happily. What about JI and PTI? JI’s constitution states to form a group of righteous men which will grab power and impose righteous rules. They do not believe on democracy and think it as a conspiracy of ‘kufar’ (infidels). Inqalab not Intakhab (revolution not elections) is their ideology.

We have witnessed danda bardar Shahab Milli (a group of self righteous law enforcers of JI with sticks) dispensing justice on streets on New Year eves and teaching ‘morals’ to youth by public beatings. Dispensation of justice through flogging by self styled Taliban Qazi’s is completely ‘Shari’ (according to sharia law) for JI, if, it is not carried in public. So where the slogan of dispensation of justice by institutions does stands?

The most interesting of all is PTI. Imran Khan, gathered huge political dividend during lawyer’s movement. I have a lot of respect for the former cricketer. He is doing a tremendous charity work. He speaks boldly and bluntly. But he is no different from other political short sellers? According to Imran’s TV interview his party manifesto is under review for more then 5 years. His party organization and elections will only complete when he has sizable support. Till then enjoy one man show!

The entire political dividend gathered by Mr. Khan is result of his public statements during his participation in lawyer’s movement. Does he actually believe in rule of law, independence of judiciary and freedom of press? What his program about equal opportunities, distribution of resources and system of governance. The only source, through which we can judge, is from his public statements. Do political parties work like that?

He believes on ‘Jirga’ system and in its support, quotes similar system in some North American tribes. He conveniently ignores the composition of our feudal society and rotten traditions which were imposed by authoritarian tribal chiefs and corrupt mullah for oppressing the weak. His ideological direction is more confusing then anything.

He launched his party with help of extreme left/communist activists like Miraj Muhammad Khan, Hassan Nisar and liberals like Hamid Khan. Then he jumped on bandwagon of a dictator Pervez Musharaf. He supported a dictator Pervez Musharaf who promised to appoint him as a Prime Minister, thus loosing the left wing comrades. As Musharaf picked Chaudhries for top slot, Imran joined the JI which was opposing Musharaf because of his liberal views. Left-Right!

From extreme left once, today his critics view him as a ‘Beardless Talib’. He is a close ally and supporter of JI and Hameed Gul ideology of strategic depth. His critics claim that he is doing so to get support of ethnic Pashtun’s. His personal life is not less confusing. An ultra liberal, ‘fun guy’ as most of the Pakistani youth from upper middle class in actions. Surprisingly he is a hardliner religious extremist in his public statements.

Mr. Khan publicly declares Dr. Mahatir of Malaysia as his role model. He wants to adopt ‘Mahatir’ model for development of Pakistan. Mahatir, a popular speaker overseas is an extremely controversial figure at home. During his rule he sacked entire higher judiciary and appointed corrupt, incompetent and puppet judges. To silence his political opponents he introduces National Security Act (NSA). Why to oppose Musharaf’s emergency?

According to Mahatir’s NSA state got the authority to put any person in prison for indefinite period with out trial. Thousands of political prisoners are still behind bars for decades, without any trial. Quite recently a bloger was sent to prison under ISA. Courts are still under control of administration. State lands were distributed on political bargains. Contracts were allotted without tenders to trade sympathies and jobs were given without any formal merit. Why NRO can’t fit in that?

Every corporate under Mahatir Model, should pay a donation to ruling party in order to stay in business. Entire press and media are owned by a government owned company further controlled by strict censorship. Money politics is a common practice. Institutions and accountability is absent. Do building infrastructure with petro-dollars by demolishing state institutions qualifies a model to be adopted?

The lack of institutions has forced the Malaysian National Bar to start a struggle of independent judiciary similar to Pakistan. People have started protesting against discriminatory laws and corruption. The entire ‘model’ dived nose down when last year Mr. Mahatir lost the election of a ‘delegate’ (something like a local councilor) from his home town and accused government of paying voters $ 500 each to vote against him. Well, no complaints, victim of your own model.

Has Mr. Khan actually studied the ‘Mahatir Model’ of governance?

Hardly after a week of restoration of judiciary, Mr. Khan has begun loosing the political dividend earned during lawyer’s movement. Criticizing USA is a fashion and another kind of political short selling. Not condemning Taliban ideology is unacceptable in today’s Pakistan as they are posing a threat to our existence. Mr. Khan has never condemned Talbanisation and Taliban ideology in clear terms. His mute response against Taliban and mixed reaction on public flogging of Swat girl has raised many questions. More flip flops?

Does Mr. Khan support such laws? Does he have any objection on dispensation of justice by groups above the state institutions? Why to negotiate with criminal gangs which do not recognize state authority? Can Jirga’s and independent judiciary get along at same time? Can justice and Talibanisation work in side by side? Can ‘Mahatir Model’ guarantee independent institution and freedom of expression?

Politics of tricks and hypocrisy is dying in Pakistan. Only those will survive in future who are clear about their vision and goals and sincere in their actions. There is a clear divide in society. Either you are on side of Taliban like JI, or you are against them. Either you are for rule of law or for rule of authority. Either you are for strong political institutions with elected offices or one man show. Either you develop a democratic model of governance or you copy a ‘glittering’ failure of someone else.

Unfortunately, the down side of short selling is that such profits are not sustainable. While the well organized institutions sustain their profits, the short sellers loose as quick as they earn. Let us see how long Mr. Khan sustains his dividend in absence of a program and a political organization. To sustain such dividends he will have to come up with a clear manifesto and program according to wishes of masses and a strong party organization. But it won’t be a surprise if his one man show worked.

This is Pakistan. Anything is possible.


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34 responses to “Imran Khan’s political ‘short selling’”

  1. Danial Burki Avatar
    Danial Burki

    Absolutely, Dr Jawwad! Jirgas provide immense relief to the people that they lord over by prescribing revenge rapes, murders, medieval bullshit like walking over coals to prove innocence, stoning to death, and by perpetuating serfdom/feudal values.

    How dare anyone criticise these noble, fair and egalitarian jirgas!

  2. Junaid Avatar
    Junaid

    well it was a bit harsh but being a supporter of imran i sometimes get annoyed with his one sided stance on taliban, alright americans are doing drone attacks but issue has gone bigger now whether american in or not we have to face this.

    either you keep quiet like nawaz or condemn both sides in clear terms as well.

    they taliban arent heros in no sense.

  3. Le Mystique Avatar

    "Mr. Khan has never condemned Talbanisation and Taliban ideology in clear terms. His mute response against Taliban and mixed reaction on public flogging of Swat girl has raised many questions."

    ¨

    Please read PTI's official stand on the Flogging Issue as penned down by Dr. Arif Alvi (general secreatry of PTI and the official number 2 of PTI)

    URL: https://teeth.com.pk/blog/2009/04/06/swat-flogging

    Also read this, copied straight from the PTI website:

    "

    "Mr Imran Khan has condemned the Swat flogging incident in very clear terms. In a telephone talk with the Secretary General of the party Dr Arif Alvi he said that this brutal incident has nothing to do with Islam or Shariah. He appreciated the fact that Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry has taken suo moto notice of the incident and thorough investigation must be done and strong action taken against all those who are found responsible. Mr Imran Khan appreciated that major elements from among the people of Swat, including the Taliban have also condemned the incident.

    He told Dr Alvi that it is unfortunate that some people draw conclusions regarding Islam from such gory and brutal incidents. He said millions were brutalized in Afghanistan and Iraq by coalition forces from democratic countries under the false pretext of safe guarding human liberty and freedom. But not once did people around the world say that democracy is a bad institution because we know that it was the people, and not the system of democracy which was to blame.

    Similarly the Swat incident has no link to Islam or Sharia but it is a brutal violent act carried out by some individuals against a helpless woman and which was perpetrated in the lawless situation of Swat a couple of months ago. Mr Imran Khan said that it is all the more important that the deal between the people of Swat and the government should be finalized to bring law and order back to people of Swat. He warned that if such an incident is allowed to sabotage and derail the peace process, we would be playing in the hands of international conspirators who cannot accept Pakistan struggling back to normal, after the great people’s victory in the struggle for the Restoration of the Judiciary. "

    URL: http://www.insaf.pk/News/tabid/60/articleType/Art

  4. Rana Avatar
    Rana

    This article makes no sense, the biggest evidence is MAHATIR is most controversial. !!! For the writer all i can say, it is not necessary that if you don't have evidence you can't decide between right and wrong, you can simply use the concept of "logical reasoning" and figure that out.

    The writer is bias and giving baselss argument.

  5. Faisal.K Avatar
    Faisal.K

    Ahhhh, a breath of fresh air 🙂 i commend the writer for making quite a few valid points, to me Imran needs to realize that Pakistani politicians cannot run parties on sound bites they need street power.

  6. Saad Bin Javed Avatar
    Saad Bin Javed

    He's still better than many others. And from what I've heard in his interviews, he praises the economic revival of Malaysia brought on by Mahatir.

  7. dr.jawwadkhan Avatar
    dr.jawwadkhan

    islamabad observer…..

    another liberal fascist who can't see beyond their cheep,3rd rated and disgusting ideology.the funny thing that he know all about malaysia but know nothing about jirga system in pakistan.he has no idea how jirga system works and amount of relief it delivers and support of the people for jirga system.

    he is ridiculing imran khan on the basis of his patriotism and his islamic faith.that is typical of liberal ***.

    so the rule is if you are condemn taliban,accuse islam for all mischiefs and denounce hudoodullah then you are infaliable otherwise a liberal *** will chase braying at you and will try to kick you.

  8. Syed Sajjad H. Naqvi Avatar
    Syed Sajjad H. Naqvi

    Its a great article with some solid proofs and records. Its on records that Imran Khan Supports Jirga system.

    Mairaj Mohammed Khan, the Tehrik-e-Insaaf's secretary general who has spent a lifetime advocating socialism and secular politics, finds it hard to defend the somersaults of the party leader, who has drifted from one extreme (of being pro-Musharraf) to the other extreme (of being anti-Musharraf) within a short span of time.

    A Leader of PTI says about him.

    "Even we are finding it difficult to figure out the real Imran.He dons the shalwar-kameez and preaches desi and religious values while in Pakistan, but transforms himself completely while rubbing shoulders with the elite in Britain and elsewhere in the west."

    Regards

    Syed Sajjad H. Naqvi

    TEAM PRAC

  9. stupid man Avatar
    stupid man

    Second u dr.jawwadkhan.

    Jirga system is great, it gave us Mukhtaran Mai, 5 ladies in Baluchistan through before dogs, hundreds of girls exchanged for mens crime ebery year, people walking on fire, flogging of swat girl…what not man. Why stupid people talk against Jirga system?

  10. Aamir Mughal Avatar

    he is ridiculing imran khan on the basis of his patriotism and his islamic faith.that is typical of liberal ***.[Dr Jawwad Khan]

    =====================

    Dear Jawwad Sahab,

    Where was to so-called Faith. Allah only know what is the status of one's Faith.

    Calamity of Imran Khan and Pakistan Justice Party

    http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2009/01/calamity

  11. tahir Avatar
    tahir

    A lot has been written about Imran's stance abour Jirga but none of the armchair bloggers has ever come up with something sensible.

    Yes'i support Jirga for time being for two reasons

    1-We don't have alternative which can attract people living in rural area.Can a Doger court be alternative?Of course not.

    Imran belives first he would bring revolution in our court which automatically would grab the attention of tribals as they would start expecting justice.

    As unfortunately we don't have the court which can give justice to people so one becomes bound to resorting on jirga system

    2-Secondly I support Jirgas for the time being as they are very cheap one doesn't have to spend money to fight his case.One doesn't have to be genious to understand that the people having 4000 salary can not afford a lawyer

    Can the 60% of this population affrd lawyer?

    Not at all

    An idiot in his comments above wrote down what jirga dcided about Mukhatara Mai.He even did know it was not jirga which decided,it wa rather Punchayat which gave its decision.

  12. Khaled Avatar
    Khaled

    @ Le Mystique

    sorry dear Imran Khan wants to impose Shariah in Pakistan.

    http://www.express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx

    PTI is also supporting Talibans as its official Policy, PTI president even greeting Baith Ullah Mehsood who is accepting responsibilities of killing innocent pakistanis.

    http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/7d125352d

    My simple question with all PTI Lovers.

    Can Imran Khan contest Elections according to Constitution of Pakistan ??

    Anyone who can answer ???

  13. dr.jawwadkhan Avatar
    dr.jawwadkhan

    dear danial burki!

    why don't you try to learn about islam,pakistan and pakistani society rather ridiculing every thing you come across.

  14. Danial Burki Avatar
    Danial Burki

    Dr Jawwad, what else do you expect me to do when someone tells me the jirga system provides 'relief' to the people? Heh. And don't tell me to learn, I have a far more learning oriented approach to the world than you do; as has been evident in several of our discussion.

    I guess now it's your turn to use abusive language, heh.

  15. Aamir Mughal Avatar

    Dear Jawwad Sahab,

    If Jirgas [Tribal Courts] were to be supported then what was the need to support the Kaafir – Secular Anglo Saxon Restore the Judiciary Movement.

    I hope you and me were friends then I would have taken you to Dera Bugti, Kallat, Sui, Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Garhi Khero and other areas around my birthplace Jacobabad to show how this Jirga system has destryed upper Sindh [Utradi – in Sindh]. If Jirga is not good for Sindh and Baluchistan then why Jirga is good for NWFP.

    My paternal grandmother was a Pashtun from Charsadda and I know what is the staus of women in these Tribal Belt that includes the Triabl Areas of Sindh and Baluchistan. Please dont condemn me for Partiality, Atheism, Secularism or Freethinking because I have also uploaded this on my blog:

    Imran and bandwagon of Mullahs and that rascal Ansar Abbasi raised hell on this but they are giving lame excuses for flogging in Swat. May I ask why this double standard

    Kill Women and become a Federal Minister!

    http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2008/11/kill-wom

  16. temporal Avatar

    imran khan is to today's pakistan what asghar khan was to yesterday's pakistan…sincere, honest, and impervious to wheeling and dealing that is the norm in politics

    he stirs the pot, other profit

    and sadly, he is a one trick pony…if he is not around the whole pti enchilada would whither away

  17. MUNIB Avatar

    Hey DOC , recently IMRAN gave a lecture on TV ONE and it was really worth watching. In fact a MUST one for those who dont understand IMRAN's views.

    Is there any way you can get it please

  18. Derivative Trader Avatar
    Derivative Trader

    Clearly this article attempts to capitalize on the ill feelings due to the financial crisis. Lack of research and proper understanding of concepts is evident here.

    The author is wrong about the very definition of "short selling" He writes that "Short selling is a term widely used in financial world and equity markets. In simple words it is promise of selling something which you don’t own actually."

    In fact it is not a "promise" but "actual sale by borrowing the security"

    Wikipedia says

    In finance, short selling or "shorting" is the practice of selling a financial instrument that the seller does not own at the time of the sale. Short selling is done with the intent of later purchasing the financial instrument at a lower price.

  19. Aamir Mughal Avatar

    Hey DOC , recently IMRAN gave a lecture on TV ONE and it was really worth watching. In fact a MUST one for those who dont understand IMRAN’s views.[Munib]

    ======================

    I have watched that he lambasted at the elite class of Great Britain where Imran Khan got his higher education but where his own sone are getting primary education, Schools in Swat are suggested for Imran Khan so to train his own children in 'Pure Islamic System'.

    Barbarians at the gate By Kamran Shafi Tuesday, 07 Apr, 2009 | 02:24 PM PST

    http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-

  20. dr.jawwadkhan Avatar
    dr.jawwadkhan

    danial!

    i can't help in it.it is the universal law.every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

  21. farrah, k.raja Avatar
    farrah, k.raja

    Imran khan is a choice ….a very different choice.

    An educated and moderate one.He is a shy person and also for a person like him it is very difficult to emerge as a main stream politician.

    Pakistanis live in a dream land where they think Musharraf a person who served in Paksitan army and fought two wars for country is not Muslim or Pakistani enough.

    So they tie him to USA and Britain .

    Same goes for Imran,a man who brought glory to Pakistan,and mind you it was not a glory of winning matches it was World Cup he won for us.

    He did charity work for people of Pakistan.He could have said goodbye to Pakistan long time ago and get British Nationality,he was playing for counties and no doubt about his First class cricket but the man remained loyal to Pakistan and never abandoned it.

    But for Pakistanis who are convinced that the Taliban video is fake ,think Imran is a fake Pakistani ,he married Jamima,

    truth is all of these people who condemn Imran ,given half the chance will marry any gorree to get British passport.

    Stuborn,Proud,Arrogant Imran ,is definitely a man of principals and of religion as well.

    I think he is a traditionalist.He understands and comprehends Quran,Islam,Pakistan and Pakistani culture.

    ——-

    I think he deserves a chance.He is strong but he is so independent and uncompromising,the two basic ingredients of a politician,Well ……Mr Imran we are watching the match of politics…

    Win it if you can.

  22. dr.jawwadkhan Avatar
    dr.jawwadkhan

    no doubt i have a raw knowledge.i need to learn a lot.

    you said that:

    "I have a far more learning oriented approach to the world than you do"

    right but you lack the most important thing in the learning oriented approach….the faith

    faith is not the delusion of poor,illiterate and superstitious people.it is inborn need of the human being.

    "Science without religion is lame, religion without science

    is blind"

    (Albert Einstein)

  23. Barrister Ali K.Chis Avatar
    Barrister Ali K.Chis

    Captain Clueless aka Imran Khan is Alice in the Wonderland – the bugger not only have a clear idealogy but has been constantly used and abused and thrown away not just by Mushraff but by JI, PML-N and other’s too.

  24. minhaaj ur rehman Avatar

    His probably the only educated and patriot guy in politics afaik. Bashing him isn't really shocking given the contemporary political culture in Pakistan. Writer needs reality check, badly.

  25. tahir Avatar
    tahir

    Who is bigger terrorists Taliban or radical MQM?

    MQM has killed more than 4000 people and there are more than 2500 hundered cases against them wheas Talioban has so far killed just 1200 people.

    MQM abused Pakistan wherweas Taliban has never….

    Hence it proves MQM is bigger terroist

    A Canadian court declared MQM as terrorists party..

    Shame on radical Mohajirs

    That's why God has made black

    God wanted to show the world how bad He makes terrorsist

    If someon want to see,see Altaf Hussain

    Kutta Altaf

    Kutta Farooq

    MAAn ka bhi nahin pata

  26. tahir Avatar
    tahir

    I always used to think why God makes people bad looking but after seeing Altaf Hussain I got to know that he makes bad people bad looking…….

    How can any person be a Pakistani who abused Pakistan?

    How can those persons be Pakistanis who support him?

    MQM was initaily funded by ISI now it is funded by CIA and Raw

    Why Altaf visits India more than Pakistan?

    Inida wale use hadian dalte hain

    Kutta Altaf

    Kutta hi hai

    Zia ka bacha hai

  27. Faisal.K Avatar
    Faisal.K

    @ Farah.K Raja even though i do not disagree that Imran excelled at the sport he played, i find it humiliating when people say he won us the world cup…he was a captain of a "team" who won us the world cup not him alone. Off course that did not stop him from taking all the credit for the victory at the podium…right at that moment the man was revealed before us all in his real skin.

  28. dr.jawwadkhan Avatar
    dr.jawwadkhan

    scholarly paper by ali gohar and hassan yousufzai about the restorative justice and jirga system in pakistan.

    http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddfbqf6s_33dsg2q6n5

  29. farrah k raja Avatar
    farrah k raja

    Faisal

    We must give the credit where it is due .Imran Khan apart from sportmanship excelled as a team manager.

    He kept them locked behind the doors and strict decipline like a PE Teacher.

    I am not a sports person and do not know a lot about the actual sport but Imran is an excellent manager and without his management team would have not been able to succeed.

    Imran performed under pressure and convinced his team to perform and fight against all odds.

    This is what turned the game around and that is what management is about.

    I like his fighting spirit.Imran is a focused ,determined fighter.He does everything gracefully.

    He is a winner all the way .

    The victory definitely belonged to him,that day belonged to him and of course all the boys who were on the ground.The match was won because of team effort but to keep people together and to get performance out of them is the impossible job.

    The great Khan of Pakistan.He is a pride of Pakistan,he is our hero .You know what the world is proud of him and trusts his sportmanship and skill.

    So do I.

    Best of luck to him all the way.

  30. I think therefore I Avatar
    I think therefore I

    When did PTI organise a rally led by IK to condemn Talibans' terrorist acts ?

  31. tahir Avatar
    tahir

    @I think therefore I am

    =================================================

    Well,I can sense how much honest you are to pakistan.

    The real issue is not condemnation the real issue is how to stop the terrorism and yes of course PTI has heldpress conferences and protests to ask the govt to sort out this issue…

    So called liberals don't want this issue to be sorted out as they are trying to score marks

    Both socalled taliban and so called liberals both are exremist and not sicncere to pakistan

  32. Syed Avatar
    Syed

    Hey watch out. This is again an attempt to down play the people's victory in the shape of restoration of judges and specially CJP. Imran is a great leader who speaks the truth. We can never call this war on terror our war because these are Pakistanis who are suffering from it. How many American soldiers are dead as a result of this war? Do you know 2100 Pak soldiers have been killed. what is civillian account of the war casulaties, who cares? No army can ever win a war against its own nation. We first have to disintegrate ourselves from the Amercian war of terror. condemn the drone attacks inside Pakistan. Then by a political process we can calm down the things. Believe you me that it is the only way out. 70% of the terror attacks will die down if we seperate ourselves from US war on terror. We have the example of India tackling the Sikh's Khalistan movement. They did it politically. And about Kashmir insurgency as well.

    I smell MQM behind this maligning campaign against Imran and PML N. Musharraf's lovers are trying to target those who opposed him. Now that the dictator has run away his chumacha's in Pakistan are trying to tell us we did not achieve any thing out of movement for independance of Judiciary.

    Be ware. It was a victory of the people of pakistan and all those who want Pakistanis to remain sleeping and behave like a dead nation, can not digest this awakended nation.

    Let us tell the world that Imran and all others who fought this war for restoration of judiciary, are our HEROES and will remain so till (God Forbid) they let us down. Lets give them due credit and Allah SWT gave them victory. Alhamdulillah.

  33. Insaf Hero Avatar
    Insaf Hero

    Dear All,
    About this article, i must say it is a rediculous stuff nothing more. Moreover it is written by some MQM representative. But why not written that He has faced the all time underworld don “Altaf Bhai” .. why he did nt write that Imran Khan publically sorry for the support of Musharraf..?
    why didnt he write that Imran khan was capt in jail by Musharaf who was the big fan of Imran Khan and soluted IK Publically…..
    Why ..why..

    Another thing…
    Imran Khan has a huge public support and street power atleast in my constituency and area peshawar. You can come here and see the power.. rest assure you are biased…