I am one of those people who dont affiliate themselves with a political party. Instead they wait for the elections and then after careful thought over the different manifestos and previous performances of the regimes, decide who to vote for. Last time I voted for PML (N)s Javed Hashmi for NA-55 and after 4 years I am truly disappointed with them PML (N) is what I mean. Javed Hashmi had left the seat of NA-55 after winning it. And as far as PPP is concerned, I dont want to think about it. This time I am carefully watching every ones manifestos and policies and then I will decide who to vote for. And so far I like what Imran Khan has to say and what his policy is, but there are some questions that have been boggling my mind for the past several years. I would like to know what he has to say about these questions.
Q1. There has always been a chant about ESTABLISHMENT. Who is this establishment and how have they gathered so much power over the 180 million Pakistanis and have become the masters of our fate. Politicians blame each other for being a part of the Establishment and Imran Khan has been accused several times for being a (pardon me) puppet of establishment. I want to know if Imran Khan is not a part of establishment then what is his stance on bringing them to their knees and how will he take the power from them.
Q2. The most organized power in Pakistan is the armed forces. But this organized power has ruled for almost half the time since independence. How will Imran Khan rein the generals and colonels so that they will remain in their barracks and stay away from the Presidency and Prime minister house?
Q3. The second most powerful department of Pakistan is the Bureaucracy. They live in big palaces and are provided everything a man could possibly imagine, from the tax paid by the remaining 96% of Pakistanis. AFSAR SHAHI is the term used for them which was originally NOKAR SHAHI. They consider themselves to be masters of Pakistan and if I anyone wants to prove me wrong, try to meet with the director of any department of government or your local AC and DC, then you will understand what I mean. The highest level of corruption is done in these offices. As a result of which these people gain more power every day. What is Imran Khans stance on these bureaucrats will he remove all the benefits and palaces so that these bureaucrats are once again humans instead of some high power sent from above.
Q4. What kind of government does Imran Khan want in Pakistan, Islamized government or a moderate government? Keep in mind the180 million people of Pakistan and what they want. In my opinion there are only two kinds of states, Islamic State or a Secular (western inspired, moderate) State.
Q5. America, its allies and their ties with Pakistan have always been one of the hot issues. What kind of ties does Imran Khan approve with the west? I already know what Imran Khan has said in the previous interviews about this question but I asked this question in another view. You see Sir, there are only 2 kinds of relationships you can have with the west. One, like the Islamic Republic of Iran where they truly stand for what they think is their right. And the other kind of relationship is like UK-USA, EU-USA, Saudi Arabia-USA, which I dont need to elaborate. There is no middle way between these as the US has specified it several times in the past, I quote Either you are with us or against us. What kind of relationship do you think the people of Pakistan want and what kind of relationship you think is better for Pakistan?
Q6. You have debated a lot on security and peace in Pakistan and currently your peace march in the Waziristan was very popular. I supported the act as I, like many other Pakistanis also want our country to be peaceful. But the point that is bugging me is how can security and peace come in Pakistan when there are militants in the country? Who are these militants and where did they come from? How are they getting funded and how are they getting their training? The issue is not about a peace treaty with the Talibans or militants. The issue here is how they are able to breed their forces. This issue has very strong branches and all these branches lead to secret services of other countries, who are funding and training Talibans and other militant groups in different areas of Pakistan. Stopping the drone attacks in the Waziristan and FATA will only calm the local people who are angry on the deaths of their relatives. What about Baluchistan, Swat and other areas? Proof of foreign agencies funding the militant groups in Baluchistan is present but no political party or government has ever said a word about this. My question here is that how will you stop these militants and the foreign powers that are training and funding these militant groups, and once there is a peace treaty with the militants how will you keep them from breaking the treaty?
Q7. These days our military, police and other security departments are mostly engaged in protecting the PM, President, Members of Cabinet, MNAs, MPAs, High ranking government officials and other prominent politicians. All this is being funded by the People of Pakistan. PMs motorcade consists of 50 to 150 cars. CM and Governors of provinces have the same security measures and they have several million rupees worth of automobiles. If the military and police are engaged in providing security to this handful, how do you expect them to provide security to the People of Pakistan? In Islamabad and Rawalpindi it is common to stop the traffic for several minutes to let the motorcades of PM, president or other officials, pass. Should we expect the same display from your government? Or are you going to use all this money and man power to some better use?
Q8. What is your stance on the Kashmir Issue? Let me give you an idea of how Pakistan Government has treated this issue in the past. Before 1999, we used to watch PTV news, each and every day we heard about the news of what is happening in Kashmir. It could be a 1 minute short story or a 10 minute long bulletin. Kashmir news was there each and every day so that we are aware of the situation and this issue does not die. But today it is discussed rarely on the mainstream media.
Q9. Pakistan is an industrial and agricultural state. And during the past few years both of these sectors have been destroyed due to government policies and economic depreciation. Pakistans textile, leather, sports goods, furniture, fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products were once the best in the world. Today these sectors are dying. What does your government plan to do with them and what is your economic policy has to say about them?
Q10. The previous governments of Pakistan were known for hiding facts from the people. I personally think that all the power of a state is the people who are living in it. These people elect their representatives so that these representatives make policies and laws that are for the benefit of the state and its people. When the people of Pakistan are the power behind the Government of Pakistan, then The Government of Pakistan should come clean with the people. The people should be able to hold the officials accountable for any corruption or any other matter which goes against the benefit of the State. Do you agree to this? If yes then how do you plan to give the power of people back to them which has been taken from them and spread among the Government, Army and other departments.
Sir, I am asking these questions as a sincere Pakistani and the answers would help me a lot. I have many other questions but these are the ones on top on my list. I hope to get a reply from you because I know how busy you are. Thank you for your time.
A Concerned Pakistani
Taimoor Ali Khan
Q1. There has always been a chant about ESTABLISHMENT. Who is this establishment and how have they gathered so much power over the 180 million Pakistanis and have become the masters of our fate. Politicians blame each other for being a part of the Establishment and Imran Khan has been accused several times for being a (pardon me) puppet of establishment. I want to know if Imran Khan is not a part of establishment then what is his stance on bringing them to their knees and how will he take the power from them.
Q2. The most organized power in Pakistan is the armed forces. But this organized power has ruled for almost half the time since independence. How will Imran Khan rein the generals and colonels so that they will remain in their barracks and stay away from the Presidency and Prime minister house?
Q3. The second most powerful department of Pakistan is the Bureaucracy. They live in big palaces and are provided everything a man could possibly imagine, from the tax paid by the remaining 96% of Pakistanis. AFSAR SHAHI is the term used for them which was originally NOKAR SHAHI. They consider themselves to be masters of Pakistan and if I anyone wants to prove me wrong, try to meet with the director of any department of government or your local AC and DC, then you will understand what I mean. The highest level of corruption is done in these offices. As a result of which these people gain more power every day. What is Imran Khans stance on these bureaucrats will he remove all the benefits and palaces so that these bureaucrats are once again humans instead of some high power sent from above.
Q4. What kind of government does Imran Khan want in Pakistan, Islamized government or a moderate government? Keep in mind the180 million people of Pakistan and what they want. In my opinion there are only two kinds of states, Islamic State or a Secular (western inspired, moderate) State.
Q5. America, its allies and their ties with Pakistan have always been one of the hot issues. What kind of ties does Imran Khan approve with the west? I already know what Imran Khan has said in the previous interviews about this question but I asked this question in another view. You see Sir, there are only 2 kinds of relationships you can have with the west. One, like the Islamic Republic of Iran where they truly stand for what they think is their right. And the other kind of relationship is like UK-USA, EU-USA, Saudi Arabia-USA, which I dont need to elaborate. There is no middle way between these as the US has specified it several times in the past, I quote Either you are with us or against us. What kind of relationship do you think the people of Pakistan want and what kind of relationship you think is better for Pakistan?
Q6. You have debated a lot on security and peace in Pakistan and currently your peace march in the Waziristan was very popular. I supported the act as I, like many other Pakistanis also want our country to be peaceful. But the point that is bugging me is how can security and peace come in Pakistan when there are militants in the country? Who are these militants and where did they come from? How are they getting funded and how are they getting their training? The issue is not about a peace treaty with the Talibans or militants. The issue here is how they are able to breed their forces. This issue has very strong branches and all these branches lead to secret services of other countries, who are funding and training Talibans and other militant groups in different areas of Pakistan. Stopping the drone attacks in the Waziristan and FATA will only calm the local people who are angry on the deaths of their relatives. What about Baluchistan, Swat and other areas? Proof of foreign agencies funding the militant groups in Baluchistan is present but no political party or government has ever said a word about this. My question here is that how will you stop these militants and the foreign powers that are training and funding these militant groups, and once there is a peace treaty with the militants how will you keep them from breaking the treaty?
Q7. These days our military, police and other security departments are mostly engaged in protecting the PM, President, Members of Cabinet, MNAs, MPAs, High ranking government officials and other prominent politicians. All this is being funded by the People of Pakistan. PMs motorcade consists of 50 to 150 cars. CM and Governors of provinces have the same security measures and they have several million rupees worth of automobiles. If the military and police are engaged in providing security to this handful, how do you expect them to provide security to the People of Pakistan? In Islamabad and Rawalpindi it is common to stop the traffic for several minutes to let the motorcades of PM, president or other officials, pass. Should we expect the same display from your government? Or are you going to use all this money and man power to some better use?
Q8. What is your stance on the Kashmir Issue? Let me give you an idea of how Pakistan Government has treated this issue in the past. Before 1999, we used to watch PTV news, each and every day we heard about the news of what is happening in Kashmir. It could be a 1 minute short story or a 10 minute long bulletin. Kashmir news was there each and every day so that we are aware of the situation and this issue does not die. But today it is discussed rarely on the mainstream media.
Q9. Pakistan is an industrial and agricultural state. And during the past few years both of these sectors have been destroyed due to government policies and economic depreciation. Pakistans textile, leather, sports goods, furniture, fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products were once the best in the world. Today these sectors are dying. What does your government plan to do with them and what is your economic policy has to say about them?
Q10. The previous governments of Pakistan were known for hiding facts from the people. I personally think that all the power of a state is the people who are living in it. These people elect their representatives so that these representatives make policies and laws that are for the benefit of the state and its people. When the people of Pakistan are the power behind the Government of Pakistan, then The Government of Pakistan should come clean with the people. The people should be able to hold the officials accountable for any corruption or any other matter which goes against the benefit of the State. Do you agree to this? If yes then how do you plan to give the power of people back to them which has been taken from them and spread among the Government, Army and other departments.
Sir, I am asking these questions as a sincere Pakistani and the answers would help me a lot. I have many other questions but these are the ones on top on my list. I hope to get a reply from you because I know how busy you are. Thank you for your time.
A Concerned Pakistani
Taimoor Ali Khan
