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Columnists vs burger babies: And the winner is…

May 31, 2012

What people fail to realise is that in their sweeping, over generalised judgments, they had closed their eyes. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

Imran Khan and the PTI’s ‘tsunami’ are both ever present in today’s online, print and social media society in Pakistan. Views vary but it is two groups in particular that I will speak about in my post today.

On one hand, you have Pakistan’s regular columnists who heavily criticise the Tehreek-e-Insaf, and on the other, you have PTI Facebook fans and Twitterati – the newly politicised urban youth or famously titled ‘burger-baby revolutionaries’ that support and defend the party.

I don’t want to generalise, so just to be clear when I say columnists, it includes a newspaper regular who has criticised the PTI in some capacity, and when I say burger-baby, it includes the young, well-educated upper-class PTI supporter who isn’t a ‘troll’.

Getting back to the point then, who is winning the argument? Who understands the PTI better?

As a person who has been supporting the party for a good six years, I feel like the columnists are a little off the mark.

In 2011, Mosharraf Zaidi criticised Imran Khan for not having a team and termed his political influence in Pakistan as barely anything. Later, the same year, George Fulton criticised Imran Khan for not being able to attract any political talent and being an egoistic one-man-show. And yet, before the very same year ended, a headline in this newspaper read, ‘Imran’s Dream Team wows Karachi’.

In June last year, Fasi Zaka complained that Khan was riding on anti-Americanism and was the only person that ‘treats the Taliban as a legitimate entity that has tangible demands that can be accommodated with negotiations.’

Imran Khan’s view is to talk to all groups; to separate retaliating Pashtuns from real militants, who would then be eliminated. He has repeatedly said that no militant group or any group that wants to impose a theocracy on the tip of a sword will be allowed to operate in Pakistan under any condition. The tangible demands, he says, are of the tribal locals reacting against violence initiated by America and its allies.

In the later All Party’s Conference, regarding the war in the tribal areas, all parties agreed to start negotiations with the tribal people and ‘give peace a chance’. The view is also somewhat shared by elements in Washington, many of whom have come out and said that they would not be against Imran becoming the prime minister of Pakistan.

Before the October 30, 2011 rally in Lahore, a major criticism faced by the PTI, was that the majority of its support was on Facebook and from sit-on-the-couch ‘burger-babies’. Feisal Naqvi called Zohair Toru ‘fantastically ignorant’, further stating that any revolution depending on people of the likes of him would be a long time coming.

Knowing Toru personally, from our time in school together, I can say he is far from ignorant, and most would agree that the ‘inqalaab’ he was talking about has come a long way from the infamous ‘garmi mein kharaabvideo. He obviously had more faith in the party than the critics and columnists who have had to eat their words.

I’ve been called a burger-baby many times myself. Before this year, in arguments, I’ve been called a supporter of a ‘tanga party’, a supporter of an Imran fan club and even a religious fundamentalist – all for standing by the PTI.

But what people fail to realise is that in their sweeping, over generalised judgments, they had closed their eyes. When the PTI woke the youth of the elite class up and politicised it, it wasn’t the party’s only step; it was the party’s last step.

For the elite youngsters in Pakistan, the state of the country barely affects their living. To invoke a sense of responsibility, patriotism and revolutionary passion in this part of society was the real sign of victory. It is easier to reach out to the poor and weak who have been deprived because of the declining state of the country. Not easy – just easier. But if you have gone as far as to affect the affluent urban youth, it can only mean the message you are carrying has something unique that strikes a chord.

Since 2007, I have been witnessing a movement of epic proportions. I have literally seen Pakistan change before my eyes. My driver – whose village elders hurt those not voting for the PPP – today says the entire community is with the PTI.

Rikshaw drivers, tailors, gardeners, labourers, lawyers, engineers, students, doctors, artists, overseas Pakistanis – I have interacted and spoken to people from all walks of life and learnt that the vast majority support the PTI today.

In an article, a couple of months ago, something I had never witnessed before happened; Saroop Ijaz called Imran Khan a liar and questioned whether he was even genuine in his cause. This is where the critics lose the battle. There was no argument to back up the premise. It just didn’t exist.

Imran Khan, through his life and his message, teaches us to be idealists and that is why he is who he is today; that is why so many years of supporting the PTI are bearing fruit. In the latest International Republican Institute (IRI) survey, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf is the most popular party in Pakistan.

I got to spend 30 minutes at the, August 13, 2011 Tehreek-e-Insaf rally in Islamabad, which was a few hours before my flight to Chicago, and during those few moments, I was convinced for good that change was inevitable.

This rally was not aired prominently on television.

Maybe if it was, the columnists would not have been so shocked on October 30,2011. The burger babies certainly were not.

Read more by AbuBakr here, or follow him on Twitter @AB_Agha 

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Readers Comments (66)

  • Reply Aasim Mukhtar May 31, 2012 - 5:53PM

    Wonderfully written. I hope that people like Chaudhary Nisar and others from PPP & PML-N would keep on using slogan like “Kia Yeh burgers inqalaab laein ge>” and “Election Facebook par nahin hotay” etc as to my expectations these slogan do invoke PTI’s target youth, the BURGERS. I hope that these burgers come out to prove that BURGERS are the ones writing this country’s fate. Being the most informed section of the society, they are the ones who rely on logic instead of blind followership, who dare to be different from what thier parents have been following, they vow to critically analyse the situation and think of bringing change. They are the minds who could perceive what change would look like. They are the educated lot, who could differentiate between a wealthy and a successful person. They are the very same lot of people who still see hope in this country, and do not preach a message to flee.Recommend

  • Reply Hassan May 31, 2012 - 5:56PM

    Once again, great article Abu Bakr! Recommend

  • Reply Faizan May 31, 2012 - 5:58PM

    Great piece of writing broRecommend

  • Reply Yasir Mehmood May 31, 2012 - 6:04PM

    The point is vast majority of burgers will not even come to vote. Atmosphere at election centres is very intimidating and secondly ‘woh garmi main kharab ho jayen ge’. Have you ever been in a rally apart from a PTI one? how can you assume that they are the biggest and most diverse?. Another thing is that Pakistan is not all about its urban centers. In rural politics PTI is not worthy of making an impact.Recommend

  • Reply Sara May 31, 2012 - 6:06PM

    “Imran Khan, through his life and his message, teaches us to be idealists and that is why he is who he is today; that is why so many years of supporting the PTI are bearing fruit.”
    Right. And that’s why he is the Establishment’s mouthpiece.
    I haven’t heard of any new, innovative ideas from Imran Khan. In fact, I’m fairly sure he would further destroy Pakistan’s economy with his naive vision for a “welfare state.”Recommend

  • Reply Danish Mughal May 31, 2012 - 6:10PM

    Said so many things, that I always wanted to say. “Tabdeeli aani nahi hai, Tabdeel Aa Chuki Hai”Recommend

  • Reply Hashmi May 31, 2012 - 6:12PM

    The author fails to realise it is not just the burger bachas, IKs revolution has penetrated all classes of the society, just roam around Pakistan, the rural and urban areas and take comments from common people, 95% have only one political allignment i.e IKRecommend

  • Reply bangash May 31, 2012 - 6:16PM

    Pakhtuns of tribal areas have been conquered by the Taliban and have suffered tremendously because of it, and Imran Khan wants to “negotiate” with those animals. That is a dangerously foolish plan.Recommend

  • Reply ... May 31, 2012 - 6:26PM

    I have two major problems with IK

    a. He is a hypocrite. At one point he will say that he is against religious extremism and against the Taliban and whatever, and then he sends Ejaz Chaudhary, the party’s vice chairman, as an envoy to a Difa-e-Pakistan Council rally (This happened in February). And please don’t tell me the DPC isn’t an organization of religious extremists.

    b. He keeps away from all touchy subjects. Rallies about loadshedding and corruption? Those are old hat, everyone does those and they are useless. You will never see IK talking about religious extremism in public, no, it is always the same stuff about corruption and loadshedding. You will never see him talk about domestic abuse, no, since all the tribes still believe in the premise that women and children are property, he doesn’t risk offending them and doesn’t address domestic abuse. Think about it; when was the last time IK had a rally about any controversial subject? There were 1200 fake articles published solely to defame Ahmedis last year, has he spoken a word? Anything about Hindus forcibly being converted to Islam? Or maybe about sectarian violence? Or the medieval mentality of most of our tribes? Until he can step up and face these issues, he will not be a decisive enough leader for our countryRecommend

  • Reply mj May 31, 2012 - 6:27PM

    I hate people who live on assumptions, the one who assume Imran khan is the toy of establishment (where are your proofs) and even argue that the burgers will not come to election centers (just wait and watch). and @sara if you think the vision of Pakistan as a welfare state is bad..seriously do you even care for the poor Pakistani or just live in the PPP and MQM’s DEMOCRATIC Pakistan.Recommend

  • Reply Sarah May 31, 2012 - 6:34PM

    Finally a sane piece of writing.Recommend

  • Reply Salman Zafar May 31, 2012 - 6:50PM

    Veryyy well written….Recommend

  • Reply Jamshaid Imam May 31, 2012 - 6:51PM

    People against PTI thinks they should lie so much negative about PTI that mass start believing it.. They may be right temporarily in slowing down the pace of the party but will be wrong once they are out of government and under neutral (?), caretaker setup.Recommend

  • Reply ali khan May 31, 2012 - 6:51PM

    imran khan is last hope no matter what he do but we will vote for him this time insAllahRecommend

  • Reply Twitter Toddler May 31, 2012 - 6:55PM

    There is no doubt that PTI will definitely win in general elections only if voting through facebook and twitter is allowed.Recommend

  • Reply Ahmed HM May 31, 2012 - 7:00PM

    Abu Bakr brother, you the man !!! :)Recommend

  • Reply Ali Q May 31, 2012 - 7:35PM

    I want to make a general point though to Pakistanis who are still skeptical of IK’s every move. You need to understand that there is governance risk involved in every project the government undertakes, because authority must be diffused. The corrupt cannot seem to diffuse authority efficiently. Critics/intellectuals keep demanding more clarity on PTI policy… Pakistan has volumes of policy papers written on its problems & there is no shortage of proposed solutions to those problems. With the nation’s current state decades into its existence, one can’t help think that maybe it’s not the policy, but those who have been managing these policies who need to be replaced. Recommend

  • Reply Mohsin May 31, 2012 - 7:40PM

    @Sara: Hater!Recommend

  • Reply Jamshaid Imam May 31, 2012 - 7:54PM

    @Sara: What innovation u r expecting from him? He z an idealist man and wants to see pakistan a success. He has the courage and commitment and if you have this, you can hire expertise. Lee kuan Yew was a barrister and Mahatir was an army man, what vision did they have? They only had the will to prosper their country. Do you expect Imran to reinvent the wheel? Some one asked Margaret Thatcher the key of her successful regime and she without loosing a second replied her cabinet. So if one has will, can hire expertise. No rocket science. Recommend

  • Reply Jamshaid Imam May 31, 2012 - 7:58PM

    @bangash: Hitler was even worst, yet west engaged Germany.Recommend

  • Reply Seemab Gul May 31, 2012 - 8:00PM

    Those who criticize IK have the right to criticize bcz IK z a public figure, PTI supporters should welcome them but i fail to understand wat the critics want to prove. do they mean PPP, PMLN, ANP, JUIF, MQM,PLMQ etc are better than IK and they can solve the problems Pakistan facing today, no man no. IK deserve a chance not bcz he has not got a chance till today but bcz he z a honest, capable, trustworthy, intelligent, visionary person. My friends be sure PTI will sweep the elections. Recommend

  • Reply Jamshaid Imam May 31, 2012 - 8:08PM

    @…:
    1- Talk about issues, forget whom IK is mtng with, If someone on any agenda talking the same, he supports as he supported NS on boycot election and judiciary movement, musharraf for 7 point agenda, Altaf on Ramind Davis, PPP in APC, DPC for Netto Supply, if they dont stand on principal, how would Imran know in advance?

    2- He z not in power so what you expect from him? He cant speak on every issue, every time, but take any question asked from him and he has given a diplomat answer? Recommend

  • Reply Umer Rasheed May 31, 2012 - 8:14PM

    I don’t see why politicians and journalists have such a huge problem with ‘burger bachas’. If a burger bacha can change his surname and become the head of the ruling political party out of nowhere then there is absolutely no problem with burger bachas cheering for some other political party.Recommend

  • Reply Ahmad May 31, 2012 - 8:21PM

    Feisal Naqvi may well have called Mr. Toru ‘fantastically ignorant’ but his larger point was that it is good to see somebody who as more positive expectations from the police force and society at large. You misrepresent it completely and intentionally just so that it goes with the flow of your article. Another way to say that is tat you’re lying just because it fots the narrative. That IRI survey you mention is irrelevant in a parliamentary system (as opposed to a presidential one where it would have much more significance) .
    Imran Khan was allowed to rise because Nawaz Sharif stuck by this government even in opposition, which was by and large the right call, for he realized that democracy should be allowed to continue, flawed though this democracy may currently be. He realized that dictatorship should not be allowed to return because of the whims of the opposition as was the case in the 90′s. Even though lately he seems intent on getting rid of the PPP. IK took his place in the vacuum that was thus created. I hope Imran Khan does succeed in a limited manner, because a plurality of opinions is never a bad thing. But having a populist, reactionary as PM is the worst thing that could happen. Leadership is defined by making the right decision when it is unpopular to do so. Nawaz Sharif did so when he decided to support this government, when he said in the 90′s (and has been saying ever since) that Pakistan and India should seek peace, when he went against the army last year. What was Imran Khan doing then? Nawaz Sharif taz nahin deta. Which, btw, was a lie. Thats what he was doing. That + meeting with Ex-DG-ISI Pasha as he himself admitted on his own twitter feed. I am not a PML-N supporter, but IK has zero credibility as a politician, though he is a philanthropist par excellence. And Pasha’s retired now, let’s see how thins tsunami goes from here.Recommend

  • Reply geeko May 31, 2012 - 8:32PM

    @Yasir Mehmood:
    Well, actually PTI concentrated on the rural Punjab some months ago (the recent al Jazeera show “People & Power” on Imran Khan actually talks about that – towns like Bhakkar, Chicawatni, …) and now’s heading towards Sindh.

    The “problem” with PTI is the following : it has supporters from every corner of Pakistan, every profession, every social class and every sexual gender may I add – so, obviously, you’ll not find the man who went under heavy rain and despite target killings to the Quetta jalsa twitting on how great Imran Khan is. You’ll not find the masdoor who went to the Pindi jalsa recently on Facebook either – on the social media, the “mummy-daddy burger” type is just more present, and not only in PTI, but the whole social network itself.

    @Sara:
    Take a look at the Insaf Research Wing (IRW)’s reports on these issues (economy, welfare state, …) you’ll know how “innovative” he is as compared to Pakistan’s old tyrants.Recommend

  • Reply wouldnt want to know May 31, 2012 - 9:18PM

    You have presented your points well. But the problem is IK even now hasnt really targeted the poor people, the people who make up 90% of the population. The burger babies like you (as you said yourself) dont represent the population and are still quite naive when it comes to the basic problems of the poor people. You guys talk about ending corruption in 90 days when these poor people dont even care what happens to corruption-they are worried whether they would get enough food for next meal or not. You guys talk about justice (with a name like “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) when IK himself backed out of the 12th May, Karachi fiasco. He never dares to talk again about the the situation of Karachi and culprits behind it.
    The point is, anybody and everybody can bluff about changing the situation of the country and showing us greener pastures, but wouldnt talk about real issues the country is going through.
    Also, if I may not offend anyone, burger babies always have an option of running abroad, it’s the middle and lower-middle class that would have to suffer whatever happens here. So you guys can afford to be “idealists”, others just cant.
    Only attracting burger babies to rallies and jalsas wont help, the real change would come when the poor people themselves would come to vote for PTI and that can only happen when ‘their’ issues are highlighted. Recommend

  • Reply fahad May 31, 2012 - 9:56PM

    honestly, i really can’t understand who are these people criticizing IK on this website. Haven’t seen or met a single anti-IK soul in the last two years on the streets of Pakistan.Recommend

  • Reply Aasim Mukhtar May 31, 2012 - 11:40PM

    @ Sara:
    I haven’t heard of any new, innovative ideas from Imran Khan. In fact, I’m fairly sure he would further destroy Pakistan’s economy with his naive vision for a “welfare state.”

    Can you please to some extent explain the word FURTHER here? I am sorry to remind you that there’s nothing left to be detroyed. Our economy needs to be reincernated. Our Debts have doubled in this Democratic Era solely because of the fact that this government did not have the Ideology or will to do something about it. Even if they had, unfortunately to say they did not have the brains to run an economy. As far as Imran Khan is concerned, he is well versed with experience of running successful things, that were not achieved by Pakistan (or Pakistanis) before. 1992 world cup and the Cancer Hospital speak themselves of the abilities Khan possesses. Besides, Asad Umer is a wonderful addition to the team who comes with the latest tricks of the trade. It has to be a welfare state if economy has to return to prosperity. You got to create demand for your own goods, and thats only possible through creation of a welfare state. I do not understand why people confuse a welfare state with a charity state. A charity state is the one that PPP is creating by distributing 1000 rupees to the poor each month under BISP to add to thier income and they, without even knowing that just becasue that 1000 is not earned through production and adds to the Inflationary pressure on the poor economy, accept the sum which actually contributes towards making them even poorer. AS far as the Establishment thing is concerned, I would just say that I and most of my friends support him and none of us is from the Establishment. If you think he is, bring some proofs, and yes the phrase “Sab yehi Kehtay hain” does not qualify as an evidence for that matter.
    Imran Khan is the Future, as he is the only hope of Change for the Nation, becasue he is the only one who stands with the vision on this political arena..Recommend

  • Reply Parvez May 31, 2012 - 11:43PM

    PTI will win this election unless it is stolen from under their nose, which is very possible.
    If what exists in the country today passes as democracy then anything is possible.Recommend

  • Reply Khalid khan May 31, 2012 - 11:55PM

    @…:
    To label ,hypocrite, is easy than analysing in depth his vision and practical understanding of malady,extremism or whatever you call it.DPC was only protesting against Nato supply and nothing.Khan never joined their protest and even if he send an envoy was only the basis of one point agenda,NATO supply issue and nothing else.I wish you understand what infllame extremism.American presence in AF-PAK is the real cause of this curse.What will you say regarding US efforts to engage Taliban and bring to a negotiating table even to Qatar.Would you like to label UNCLE SAM the hypocrite.
    Please go through his statements and you can glean away all the stuff you are complaining.
    For loadsheding he gave an energy plan;regarding minorities and women rights ,he elaborated in detail in their respective conferences;on blasphemy law he openly condemned the death of Salman Taseer when even ppps leaders were cowed down;on secatrian , target killings and missing persons he has a solid understanding.
    One point to understand is that he is not head of the govt to act on your and mine concerns but a bright hope keeping in view of his track record OR else you guide us which lot of present tested politicians we have to blindly follow. Recommend

  • Reply Jawad Khan Babar Jun 1, 2012 - 1:26AM

    Brilliant piece. Especially surprised to read it at ET. You have nailed it. Also goes true pretty much for all the PTI supporters who have seen this transformation. InshAllah the upcoming elections will see our dreams materialize. Keep it up.Recommend

  • Reply mj Jun 1, 2012 - 1:58AM

    @… well you look like one who believes in USA and India, well I dont and most of the Pakistanis dont believe them too, just because they pick one person from Pakistan and call him terrorist does not make him one. and just because Difa-e-Pakistan have people who talk against what media teaches you, does not make it a terrorist group.

    and you talk about speaking for controversial issues, if he does well then you know the fate of people who tried it, so first of all Pakistani people needs to be educated, it is illiteracy that is giving rise to extremism and all other problems.Once the nation becomes educated and sensible enough then we can talk about all these petty issues.

    we are all tired of these DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED politicians, make right choice this time and all will be good inshALLAH.Recommend

  • Reply Wtf Jun 1, 2012 - 3:11AM

    @…

    How is being opposed to restoration of NATO supply lines indicative of religious extremism?
    Is this to imply that being supportive of restoration of NATO supply is normal/acceptable?
    IK is reflecting the will of the people which is based on morals.

    If the Pak liberals are so keen on continuation of the war, then why don’t they join NATO? What are they doing sitting in comfort ?Recommend

  • Reply Syed Awais Jun 1, 2012 - 3:25AM

    A much better blog than the Goebells’ one; simple and straight forward yet clearly hitting the nail on the head.

    Well done!Recommend

  • Reply Sam Jun 1, 2012 - 5:32AM

    The end gave me chills.Recommend

  • Reply Ironman Jun 1, 2012 - 5:40AM

    A pleasure to read you as always! Please dont make us wait so long for a post!Recommend

  • Reply Pakistani Agnostic Jun 1, 2012 - 6:44AM

    Honestly, I love Imran Khan but i just don’t think he has the same stature as that of Pres. Musharaff who knew how to make laws and make others follow it.
    Still i will go with my heart and vote for himRecommend

  • Reply Iram Jun 1, 2012 - 8:40AM

    Ani PTI trolls, please do not stop criticism because the more you criticize the more passion we gain to work for the PTI. carry on. Recommend

  • Reply sherry Jun 1, 2012 - 9:30AM

    @Sara:
    please do not just copy n paste what you read in newspapers, imran khan , establishment mouth piece??? are you sure ? Do you really think establishment or the khufia takatain can afford to have a party like PTI in power ,knowing fully about their policies regarding decentralization of power and relations with US ,and most importantly PTI has the clearest agenda for dealing with taliban and for ongoing operation in tribal areas which is again a total negation of establishment plans on these sensitive issues,
    it is more than clear that what suits establishment more Recommend

  • Reply sherry Jun 1, 2012 - 9:34AM

    @…:
    alas !!!!!! a lonely liberalRecommend

  • Reply Azfar Hussain Jun 1, 2012 - 10:38AM

    Will Imran be able to win two third majority in the next elections??? My answer is no. Will PTI get more than 50% of seats.. that is also highly unlikely.. So even after making impressive electoral gains say 25 % of the seats, PTI will have to ally with other forces.. He is against all mainstream parties except JI and some nationalists.How will he be able to form government??? Secondly, PPP has majority in Senate, this factor cannot be ignored.Recommend

  • Reply Maheen Jun 1, 2012 - 10:55AM

    @Yasir Mehmood: I beg to disagree. If the burger youth can stand and cheer in searing heat for 6 hours to listen to their leader, they will definitely spend 90-odd minutes on election day taking their whole families with them to realize their dreams :)Recommend

  • Reply Maheen Jun 1, 2012 - 10:57AM

    @…:
    You are just carping and trying to pick holes when in fact ruling political parties have CRATERS deep enough to have buried the nation. Recommend

  • Reply Maheen Jun 1, 2012 - 10:58AM

    @wouldnt want to know:
    You may not want to know but if you attend ANY PTI rally, you’ll be astounded to see the common poor man of the streets of Pak in hordes. Recommend

  • Reply Sajid Mahmood Awan Jun 1, 2012 - 11:21AM

    Dear Abu Bakr,

    You have represented the “YOUTH for PTI” the way it should have been a long time ago. Thank you so much.

    PTI Zindabad – PAKISTAN PAAINDABADRecommend

  • Reply Yousaf Jun 1, 2012 - 12:28PM

    I am extremely thankful to abu bakar for giving words to my thoughts and replies to all these critics …sanity will prevail in the end InshallahRecommend

  • Reply Ali S Jun 1, 2012 - 3:18PM

    I’ll admit that Imran Khan may not be an ideal candidate for a center-left person like me in some respects, but what other options do we have? Voting for any other mainstream political party is a tried and tested way to failure and false promises – at least the PTI has never had any chance to prove itself.

    To be very honest, I’m skeptical about whether the PTI will be able to really deliver on the tall orders that the public expects of him, but Imran Khan deserves a world of credit even if for just bringing out this segment of society – well-educated, urban youth who cut themselves off from the democratic process out of frustration – out to cast their votes. These so-called “liberal” columnists should be more than thankful for that.Recommend

  • Reply Ziaahmad Jun 1, 2012 - 3:43PM

    @Yasir Mehmood:

    Voting is far easy than going to rallies.

    and I think u havent been to any PTI Jalsa Rally they are diverse where there are ppl frm FATA to Lahore – Karachi – Islamabad

    from a Rickshaw driver to Telecom Engineers to BusinessmenRecommend

  • Reply Amjad Jun 1, 2012 - 3:48PM

    @bangash:
    you sir need to talk to me for i belong to TRIBAL area called KHYBER AGENCY and i say you are 10000% wrong… prove me wrong with facts if you have any .. Imran Khan knows how to deal with it because he has been in touch with Tribal leaders ( jirgah representatives ) from all tribes. you need to understand if you have their backing you can win over the area in no time.. and Imran Khan is so confident because he has the elder’s vote .. Recommend

  • Reply Khalid Jun 1, 2012 - 3:51PM

    Its better to consolidate our polices and plans in order to stand the pressure of dirty politics and biased media.Talking about other parties may result in unwanted conflicts disturbing our smooth sailing.Recommend

  • Reply Shahrukh kazmi Jun 1, 2012 - 4:36PM

    Of course why won’t you support Imran khan you too are a burger baby you will definitely support him, he stays in a dreamworld and so his burger followers and i can grantee you half of his supporters will not come and vote for him, he said i’ll remove corruption, i’ll remove poverty, i’ll make education standards better i’ll bring this i’ll finish that but how he’ll do that he’ll never tells it, amazing right trust me all politicians are same yea you can give him a chance but seriously he’ll be no savoir Recommend

  • Reply Faiza Jun 1, 2012 - 4:37PM

    Superb piece. So true that the critics claim to know the party so well, but were surprised by the Lahore rally.Recommend

  • Reply Ashar Jun 1, 2012 - 5:09PM

    @…: and what exactly have those in power done about the issues that you have listed? IK haters will never be satisfied and you deserve leaders like Zaradri.Recommend

  • Reply Ahsan Jun 1, 2012 - 9:23PM

    Loved every bit of you blog mate.
    Keep writing thanks.Recommend

  • Reply Rana Ahsan Jun 1, 2012 - 10:37PM

    imran khan is a real hero..he is our hope..plz dnt lose lope just support imran khanRecommend

  • Reply Khan Jun 2, 2012 - 6:11AM

    To the author – um, so you got on your plane to go to Chicago and escaped the reality of Pakistan. Your one story about your driver should convince us of what? Well it’s clear you are one of the mummy-daddy burger kids yourself. Next, your driver is one data point amongst millions of Pakistanis.

    The truth is that no party is really that great but it bothers me to see so many people wetting their pants with excitement over Imran Khan. He’s a hollow face who refuses to confront the harsh realities of what plagues Pakistan. What are Pakistan’s biggest problems in ORDER?

    *Terrible and corrupt governance
    *Government spending almost entirely diverted to (a) corrupt politicians and (b) the Deep State – Armed Forces, ISI, and other useless agencies that have never and never will protect anyone but themselves
    *Terrible education system that promotes religious hatred and intolerance while leaving people with any real skills to obtain a job making them more likely to become fanatics/terrorists/etc.
    *Religious hatred and intolerance

    Imran Khan only vaguely addresses the 1st problem and as a Deep State stooge, he’ll do nothing to reduce spending on the Armed Forces and ISI. On the same front, he’s not got the guts to take on Pakistan’s religious fanatics because he’s in bed with them.

    Please do respond PTI fanatics. Recommend

  • Reply raw is war Jun 2, 2012 - 8:06AM

    you guys really deserve a IK rule. At least once.Recommend

  • Reply Blindfolded Jun 2, 2012 - 11:38AM

    Alright, so the author as well as the critics here @Sara have ignored the countless repetition of IK about ‘conflict of interest’ law, increase of pays in govt. servants, ensuring transparency in government contracts etc! Someone mentioned about women and children and tribal/feudal traditions. I think IK was targeting feudalism altogether not just its section that you referred to… He talked about community based decision making and democratic bodies at grass root levels, including villages and village institutions.

    Are these not innovative things? I guess ‘conflict of interest’ law is too innovative for people to fathom!Recommend

  • Reply Yasir Mehmood Jun 2, 2012 - 5:50PM

    @Geeko Sir you have the answer in your point. Other parties also have a large number suppourters even larger than PTI but they are not active on social media hence the author seems to smell the PTI victory from what is on display on Social media and other media. i Suppose he lives in US. We all know how much electronic media has helped Imran to polish his image since 2002.

    @Maheen
    I dont have much hope from these burgers. The elite class of this country I think is part of its problem. The educated and well off people have been very unsincere to this country whereas look at India its educated and buisness elite has done wonders. Burgers only suppourt PTI because it is fashionable nowdays what stake they have in this country?.Recommend

  • Reply kaalchakra Jun 2, 2012 - 7:20PM

    Greatest Burger of Them All

    To all haters of PTI, the Great Quaid was the Greatest Burger of them all and he swept all before him. Recommend

  • Reply Yasir Mehmood Jun 2, 2012 - 9:48PM

    @zia ahmed
    from FATA TO LAHORE would have made much more impact if elections were presidential form. In upcoming electios I see majority of PTI candiates finishing 2nd and 3rd positions in Punjab. Therby helping PPP. In sindh PTI is non existent Jalsa in Karachi will not challange mqm. About KP im not sure perhaps PTI has the chance there.Recommend

  • Reply Zaheer Alavi Jun 3, 2012 - 11:41AM

    Very well written article with good refrences. One thing I always believe that to walk on honesty path is a difficult one, because our whole lot is habitual in unfair activities, so it is not easy for them to accept a person who is honest, petriotic & will provide the real justice. As I have written above its not an easy walk & sure IK will face lot of difficulties, but if you are honest & sincere, InshaAllah you will achieve your goal. As the saying is: There’s always somebody saying you can’t do it, and those people have to be ignored.” Pakistan ZindabadRecommend

  • Reply tk Jun 5, 2012 - 10:13AM

    BRILLIANT!Recommend

  • Reply UY Jun 6, 2012 - 2:14PM

    Leadership provides hope and optimism, IK is an idealist, that’s what a leader should be. Columnist, intellectuals and experience campaigners question IK’s motives, ideals and moves and that is exactly what they should be doing. Unless you a substance goes through a litmus test you will never be able to realize its real characteristics.
    It is because of the criticism IK got chance to change his strategy and form a more agreeable stance. Examples are realignment of his stance on Taliban and MQM which depicts his pragmatic approach and for me this is one of the key qualities a leader should have (at least for a third world county like ours).

    But when it comes to providing ideals and achieving it no body has a track record better than Musharaf. so should we chose him as our leader, My personal answer is NO in caps. but the question remains unanswered.Recommend

  • Reply Sane Jun 7, 2012 - 1:49PM

    If not Imran Khan, then who? ‘Maulana’ Fazlur Rehman, Sharif Brothers, Zardari Geelani & Co., Isfandyar Wali, the ‘great’ Altaf Bhai. OK, then elect the tested % experienced ones. Then stop crying upon your choice.Recommend

  • Reply Muzammil Jun 24, 2012 - 10:57AM

    Great Article. Indeed, the state of country doesn’t effect the elite youngsters but seeing them taking responsibility and owning country is a revolution in itself. Credit must be given to Imran and PTI for that.Recommend