The Way I See It
PTI walay, 'kon log o tusi?'

PTI walay, 'kon log o tusi?'

If the PML-N decides to go after PTI’s government in KPK and their unfulfilled promises, things could get really ugly.

Waqas Habib Rana December 30, 2013

After being beaten in the May 11, 2013 general elections in Punjab, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) came back to the heart of Lahore in their attempt to portray a ‘real opposition’. They carried out a protest rally on Mall Road against rising inflation in the country.

Their action left curious political minds wondering why they chose Lahore.

Why couldn’t they give a tough time to the government by raising their concerns within the walls of parliament?

Or why couldn’t they stage a hunger strike in front of the Parliament?

After all, inflation is a federal issue and can be addressed in a legal manner.

So, why did the PTI feel the need to bring out the people on the streets?

You may remember that prior to the general elections, PTI Chairman Imran Khan was all over the Sharif brothers, targeting them from all corners. He tried his luck back then and he is trying it once again before the local government elections under the façade of inflation. However, Imran should understand that if you cannot win the throne of Punjab as a political power, you really cannot have a major influence in Pakistan’s politics.

More recently, the PTI resorted to its favourite option of carrying out dharnas (protests) outside the Bilawal House in Karachi. Their new mission is to tear down the bothersome wall guarding the Bilawal House.

In Punjab, if someone says or does something strange or inappropriate, we usually look at them in utter amazement and ask,

“Kon log o tusi?”

(Who are you people?)

The appropriate action would be for the PTI to protest in front of the inspector general of police (IGP) Sindh’s office or the Karachi Press Club if they think that court orders are not being followed, or perhaps, file a complaint of contempt with the Sindh High Court (SHC).

If that does not work, they should go to the Supreme Court (SC), but at no point should they encourage people to pick up shovels and pursue vigilante action.

Screengrab from Dr Arif Alvi's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ArifAlvi

I fail to understand why the PTI does not seem to hold different institutions in prestige. The party’s politics seems to be an epidemic outbreak of immaturity and illicit activities.

Another concept dominated by the PTI vigilantes is social media abuse.

If someone speaks out against Imran Khan’s approach and politics on social media, they are berated. Since Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also active on Twitter, it seems that while one fight commences on the road, another is fought on Twitter.

When PTI made an announcement of their protest outside the Bilawal House, Bilawal’s first public reaction was on Twitter:

If Buzdil Khan, Nawaz Sharif and JI find the courage to say 1/2 of wht I said vs. TTP yesterday I will tear down Bilawal House wall myself.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) December 28, 2013

PTI’s General Secretary Information Shireen Mazari also tweeted:

PPP running scared of PTI across Sindh. In Khi they target PTI peaceful protest; in Umerkot,Tharparkar PPP goons snatch PTI nommination pprs
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) December 29, 2013

If one is to listen to the PPP’s leadership, they are addressing issues currently faced by Pakistan such as terrorism. They have extended their full support in this regard to the federal government. They talk about guarding Pakistan against extremism and making sure that democracy is not derailed in the country. The PPP is also in opposition just like the PTI, but it seems that the latter has ideas other than simply playing the role of an opposition party.

When a party is elected by the public, all they want is for them to deliver on their promises and impact their lives in a positive way.

Yes, in a positive way.

People want to be able to go to their jobs and businesses in a peaceful manner without any road blockages, dharnas, agitation and most importantly, without any anarchy or chaos. They want to carry out their business as usual and expect politicians to do the work that they have been elected for –work for the betterment of the common man.

Unfortunately, Imran Khan has failed to deliver on his promises in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and his 90 days deadline now sounds like mere words. Had he come to Lahore to stage a protest while having fulfilled his promises, it would have put him on a much higher moral high ground.

He could have confidently rattled the government by saying,

“Look this is what I have done in KPK. What have you done?”

Sadly, that is not the case and shallow political shouts are all that we are getting from the PTI at this time.

Even in developed democracies, agitation on the road is an extreme step. And personally, I do not consider it to be a normal democratic practice, especially if it is organised by an elected political party.

People choose their representatives to fight their cases in parliament or any other forum available before they come out on the street. When such protests are carried out by elected political parties, it gives the impression of a cover-up to their assorted promises and failures, fearing an outcry among the common public.

The situation turns into a blame game – a common tactic used in Pakistan’s politics.

I fear that if the ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) decides to go after the PTI’s government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), their protests and dharnas against the deteriorating law-and-order situation, price control and promises made by Imran Khan before the general elections which have not been met, things could get really ugly.

None of this will be good for a still young democracy in Pakistan. After all, it is not just the PTI who has the right to take up the role of ‘real opposition’. If other opposition parties decide to follow their lead, how would that pan out for the people of Pakistan and democracy?

One thing will lead to another and before we realise it, it will be too late to get out of the mess we will find ourselves in.

We have had a nasty political rivalry between the PPP and the PML-N in the past, which greatly damaged democracy in Pakistan. Our political history is regrettable and shameful, and such party-based rivalries not only damage the interests of the common man, but put peace and economic stability at stake in the country.

Both these parties showed some maturity during the previous PPP government when the opposition was labelled as friendly. This was also the first time in the history of Pakistan that a democratically elected government completed its term.

However, if the PTI keep on pushing PML-N against the wall in their effort to gain political mileage, the PML-N will hit back. Same applies for the PPP. And if that happens, we, the people of this country will be at a loss. Competition is good for politics but it should be healthy and based on performance.

We have to feed our people and we have to move forward. And this cannot happen with agitation and instability in the country. Such actions affect our economy and foreign investment, and an already tarnished image of Pakistan in the world could certainly improve if we had some political stability and unity.

Can we afford to go back to the politics of the 90s?

No, we cannot. The PTI must wake up to this fact.

WRITTEN BY:
Waqas Habib Rana A freelance writer and Editor in Chief at Paknewsbeat.com , who has been associated with video production, theater, event management and business. He tweets @waqas464 (twitter.com/waqas464)

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (37)

Junaid | 10 years ago | Reply Rizwan, you believe that Hakimullah Masud was a citizen of Pakistan? How deluded you are. No one in Fata or Pata believes that they are a part of this great country. They threaten our existence. They threaten our way of life. Check your facts.

Riaz Papin | 10 years ago | Reply Waqas. Brilliant article, and no I am neither a Jiala nor a nationalist Pashtun or NS supporter. I even voted for the first time in my life for PTI in May 13 Elections. I am from KPK and can safely say that PTI has done nothing in KPK so far that can be remotely referred to as change, except for the ill conceived Dharna on Ring road and vigilante action, complicating the exit of NATO forces and depriving the country of the associated funds, beside creating further confusion in the minds of the nation. I wonder why a sane person does not understand that declaring an Alqaeeda motivated/created/led/sponsored and coordinated war as a tribal rebellion by the local tribes against the Pakistani state(which it is not); further divides this society and bring fissures. Besides it makes the task of fighting out these beasts inspired by radicalization beside sheer lust for power as much difficult. On a side note, I would request the PTI protesters under Alvi Sahib to first come to Peshawar and remove the blockades created on two side roads of CM Pervez Khattak's residence at Hayatabad. I never actually believed, but the comments on this blog convince me about the truth in an observation by a friend that the worse thing PTI has done to this country is to confuse the youth of this country

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Do Not Agree | 10 years ago | Reply O Kaun ho tusi????

Kapal | 10 years ago | Reply My sympathies with you Waqas Sb. If you could really understand! By the way, Have you ever been to KPK, that you have said that nothing has been done by PTI?

Tajjee | 10 years ago | Reply PPP and Its allies murdered 10,000 Karachites in last five yrs, and many were cold blooded killd on May 12 2007... Yet, abuse of words by allegedely a PTI supproter on SMedia is a bigger CRIME then Sending BOREEs, Bullets and Bombs..

Tajjee | 10 years ago | Reply Faulty Facts and biased analysis.... He simply has failed to understand this 'PTI NA250 constituency protested to get an illegally build wall down'..Extrapolating it to national level to saisfy self proclaimed conclusions is worst ever form of TROLLING>

Why don't you get it? | 10 years ago | Reply Problem with most Jialas is that they never bother explaining the wretched 5 years under PPP. And why not just destroy that wall that is ILLEGAL. How can you go about defending something that is illegal. You can't defend it. That is why these freelance bloggers go on attacking the other party. Why on earth did they dare protest against something illegal. Plus if you write an anti-PTI article. You get a LOT of views and comments. Which are mostly Pro-PTI. Because everyone gets angry at these bloggers and are dismayed at how stupid this nation is. And naturally feel like venting out. Pakistan is in its current predicament, because of the attitude this blogger has.

Hina | 10 years ago | Reply Just a piece of crap you have written. Biased Article. You just remember the protests of PTI, what about the PMLN's protest in last Government (2008 - 2013)?

JB | 10 years ago | Reply Do you regard blocking NATO supplies while protesting against drones (something which the current Government is not even addressing) as nothing? Seriously? To quote you-kon log o tusi?? And were you asleep the last 5 years? That is what PPP does-talk. Atleast IK has the guts and the vision to be heard whether in the Parliament, in the media or on the streets. I have yet to hear Nawaz Sharif to protest against drones. And have yet to see Bilawal Bhutto stay in Pakistan for a full year. These are our so called 'leaders' ladies and gentlemen!

Syed Mubeen Hussain Sabzwari | 10 years ago | Reply u lost the plot buddy when u wrote in favor of 'mukmuka' politics. u and me r happy bcz we do have home to live, education, and jobs but can u plz ask from a common man how does he survive? PPP is ruling Pakistan for decades and the mess we r in these days is bcz of mainly PPP, PMLN and Dictators.

Talha Farooq | 10 years ago | Reply This blog should have been titled "Appeasing my Fuedal Overlord"

Proletarian | 10 years ago | Reply PTI is so firmly stuck in dharna mode that it cant seem to do anything else. Not even take measures that work to it's advantage. It so annoying. They cant seem to see that if they ally with PPP in calling for the diviision of punjab into two or three provinces they will tame PML-N and greatly improve their prospects for the enxt election/

Furqaan Hafeez | 10 years ago | Reply Waqas mere dost, keep writing. But concentrate more on reading accomplished writers to improve the medium you have chosen to express yourself. Expression of your observation is a bit flat and unimpressive. I totally disagree with the entire theme of your piece, but I respect your right to have an opinion and express it too :) A PTI Wala

SAM | 10 years ago | Reply Excellent Article. These immature politician and supporter of PTI don't know what they are doing. As expected before election PTI is such a big disappointment. PTI calls for demolishing wall is insane. Who gives you right to do that? who are you? If that wall need to be demolish it is concerned authorities responsibility and there is legal system to handle it. Their immaturity now turning into an idiot-ism. Writer has correctly mentioned that, instead of focusing on their irresponsible and failure govt in KPK now they are trying to distract their baby supporters. Now they are doing what they do best i.e. Crying. Losers...

Syme | 10 years ago | Reply MoM inflation rate last month in Peshawar was two times higher than Lahore's. And why YoY inflation ending Nov 2013 in Peshawar was 50% higher than Lahore's MoM inflation (in Nov 2013): 1.9% in Peshawar, 0.8% in Lahore YoY: 14.1 in Peshawar, 9.9% in Lahore http://www.sbp.org.pk/publications/Inflation_Monitor/2013/Nov/IM_Nov_2013.pdf

Aaliyan | 10 years ago | Reply Mr blogger it is totally unethical to publish onesided opinion in journalism..clearly shows how "immature" u are urself but ppl of PAKISTAN r no more under the influence of the dynastial politicians.....If BILAWAL have declared jihad against talibans than what plan he has given to fight against them or solution to the problem of terrorism...just tweeting and giving speeches behing STRONG WALLS is just like what we say 'KULA TIZAD'...If friendly opposition is the only need of country then PKISTAN would have been a PARADISE now...PTI is symbol of change and we youth can never expect them to have 'mukmukka'with ruling party just like PPP n PMLN...They r given votes in name of change and we expect tough opposition for them...........And for KPK performance ask KPK representatives first than raise ur fingers on others

TheAverageMoe | 10 years ago | Reply "Imran should understand that if you cannot win the throne of Punjab as a political power, you really cannot have a major influence in Pakistan’s politics." Exactly why we need to split Punjab into 3 smaller provinces, that's the only way we're going to be able to end their hegemony over the rest of Pakistan. "If one is to listen to the PPP’s leadership, they are addressing issues currently faced by Pakistan such as terrorism. They have extended their full support in this regard to the federal government. They talk about guarding Pakistan against extremism and making sure that democracy is not derailed in the country. The PPP is also in opposition just like the PTI, but it seems that the latter has ideas other than simply playing the role of an opposition party." PPP were in power for the past 5 years, what did they do in the war on terror?what did they do for the people of Pakistan and it's economy?Nada Zilch Zero. PPP doesn't want to derail the process of 'democracy', because they know very well this corrupt manipulative system is their only way to power. I suggest the new army chief overthrow the current government ban all the previous parties that had the throne of Islamabad, turn Pakistan into a meritocracy like Singapore, once Pakistan gets developed and the average IQ of a Pakistani increases ten-fold, then we can go back to democracy, just like South Korea and Taiwan did. I don't see any of that happening though, but that seems like the only conceivable way to change this country. -

Parvez | 10 years ago | Reply This was a rather poor ' snow job ' by the author. The pathetic state the country is in today is primarily because of the 5 years of inept governance, loot and plunder by the PPP-Z. Allso, peaceful street protest is very much a part of the democratic process.

M.Faisal | 10 years ago | Reply We all are Pakistani brothers... No hatred for anyone..

Ch. Allah Daad | 10 years ago | Reply PTI with its cheap tactics is playing with fire. Wall is an obstruction and must be demolished, agreed, then what about Dharnas and Canadian Anarchist's processions, these are obstructions too. What would PTI think, when stupid vigilantes like them, attack obstructions caused by them.

ovais | 10 years ago | Reply Ppp destroyed karachi , 1000 deaths every year and you say who is PTI. PTI is the party which got the second largest number of votes in karachi .Grow up

Agnikul | 10 years ago | Reply The massive illegal wall around Karachi's Bilawal House is a glaring symbol of oppression, an example of the contempt in which our oppressing class holds both the law and ordinary citizens.

muzaffaralisyed | 10 years ago | Reply Hum woh log hain jo Bilawal 'Zabardasti' Bhutto ki deewar gira kar rhen gey

Saad Salman Zia | 10 years ago | Reply PTI does have some immaturity. Although you lose your argument when you claim PTI's tweets as immature while defending Bilawal's childish remarks posted right above them. The PPP has no credibility and their 5 disastrous years of governance are living proof.

aby | 10 years ago | Reply tu kon hai bhyyee? :)

Ada | 10 years ago | Reply The PTI rally was attacked on purpose. They did not even carry any weapons at all and the level of PPP workers manifest on tv with the police supporting them upfront was clear on every TV channel. However, it was their right to protest against a wall that has caused inconvenience to all who are residents of the area and is built on public property. I am a resident Mr and I did not vote for PTI in the past election but now I will since it has become my party and representative of my interests.

Rehan | 10 years ago | Reply Lol at the blogger who should atleast have the guys to face the criticism. Didn't approve my comment! Woah, haha what a coward!

fahad | 10 years ago | Reply The author should know that it was because of PTI's rally that woke up the fed and brought the dollar to 105 from 108. Although not much, but this still shows that the fed did feel the threat that IK wanted them to feel. That is how I think we should really do opposition, unlike what PML-N did for last 6 years. The country's people are being brought to the knees b/c of inflation and no one cares. No one gives a rat's a** what strategy the opposition applies but if it solves the problem go ahead. You've got my vote ! BTW a pathetic attempt by a jiyala to ridicule IK where only KPK's govt is atleast making an attempt on good governance ! PPP has yet to show some governance in sindh, forget about good ! Oh We do find TTP evil, but you can't fight them without winning over your tribal people. They currently support them ! So there's no point fighting in a territory where you are the hostile side !

Syme | 10 years ago Yup seriously. Government got some funds from IMF and also bowed down in front of speculative banks and that brought down the rates for a little while, I must say.. Government has to auction short term 3 month T-Bills, You will see the results of your so dearly put Dharna of Imran khan in March with a rate of at least above 110 per dollar and then nobody will be laughing except few with fists full of dollars. Now for your conspiracy mongering, please google PML N involvement in Bitcoins. . . And "fahad" who said that the war is over. We are still fighting. If we couldn't achieve the desired peace (after 3 operations) till now by fighting in a difficult battle field then does it justify that we must bend over :)

footyfan | 10 years ago | Reply @Waqas - I am very surprised that well educated people like you are so delusional and misguided that they can't differentiate that who is speaking for the people and who is just running a business (Dokan). Also just to clarify that I am not a PTI supporter and will never support those who are not working in the best interest of Pakistan but have enough common sense to figure out that why PPP is not in power any more.

Wess | 10 years ago | Reply Ok, so let me get this straight the blogger implies that PTI should not have had gone down the path of protest ? and its perfectly ok for PPP to occupy Public property and block traffic and their so called jialas (Thugs) being ready to die if the wall was taken down ? Democracy, Seriously ?

Zara | 10 years ago | Reply PPP is being 'Friendly Opposition' just like PML(N). They have nothing to do with country's interest. All they care is about 'Turn' that they could easily have in absence of PTI. And as much as PTI's performance in KPK is concerned, make some research and u'll get to know how 'Immature' their projects are. And what bilawal is doing? Coming to pakistan once in 6 months and making a speech and a few tweets, that's all what he does and what he's capable of doing.

Rehan | 10 years ago | Reply Mr delusional blogger, I'm nt crazy enough to believe in political point scoring by bilawal . Where was his jihad against terrorists when his party was in the govt? Too busy resting in daddy's wallet I believe. And for the record, go visit KPK and ask the people about the performance of the govt rather than falsely accusing! The Poole there are absolutely satisfied. You, in turn, have failed to put a logical and rational blog. Lol

Sophya Khan | 10 years ago | Reply "If one is to listen to the PPP’s leadership, they are addressing issues currently faced by Pakistan such as terrorism. They have extended their full support in this regard to the federal government. They talk about guarding Pakistan against extremism and making sure that democracy is not derailed in the country. The PPP is also in opposition just like the PTI, but it seems that the latter has ideas other than simply playing the role of an opposition party." Oh yes, only if you were living on Mars for the last 6 years and did not know what PPP "achieved" in their government, we have no terrorism, no mehngai, no foreign debt, 100% merit... I wish the workers of PPP media cell should not be guised as independent bloggers...

Junaid | 10 years ago Wow, I knew that us Pakistani's enjoyed the occasional conspiracy theory but this is just ridiculous. You think it was because of the PPP that we still have terrorism in this country? Do you know nothing about our history? As for "mehngai", I assume you're not an economist because if you were you would know that inflation was in single digits for 4 out of the 5 years that the PPP was in power. It's in double digits now (I'm not even going to acknowledge your comment about foreign debt because it's probably based on pop-figures published by the media and not on any sort of academic enlightenment). As much as you disagree with the author please share with the rest of this comments section what the PTI has ACTUALLY achieved so far... other than jeopardizing our royalty payments from NATO. Dear Author, in matters concerning the PTI be prepared for the PTI social media mafia taking you apart. Pieces like yours need to become more regular. I assume that at some point sanity among your detractors will prevail.

Furkan Awan | 10 years ago Well said , i was thnking the same that PPP media cell is working very hard to destroy thr image of pti, long live imran khan

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