Pak1stanFirst.com

A Phenomenon called Imran Khan

Tuesday, 22 November 2011 08:29

Editorials

User Rating: / 1
PoorBest 

Is this the beginning of a revolution?

Seventy one years ago, on March 23^rd, 1940, our forefathers gathered at the Minto Park to stamp their own destiny on the pages of history. A destiny that demanded to be etched with their blood and countless sacrifices. But, they remained steadfast, faced the challenges head-on and achieved the unachievable for us.

Today when the nation has been hurled into an abyss by the current “democratic leaders”, Imran Khan and his Tehrikis decided to defy all odds and rally at the same location where our forefathers once rendezvoused to lay the foundation for Tameer e Pakistan. But this time the mission was to lay the foundations to reclaim our lost self respect, take the nation out of despair and decline to yield to a rotten corrupt feudal system.

Before Oct 30^th, most of the top-notch analysts were questioning if he can pull it off, skepticism from all political clouts about the success of the rally was at its hilarious peak, Punjab Government was treating it like a laughing stock and last but not least Federal Government was busy in it’s usual merrymaking.

Then came the Historic Day of Oct 30^th and stunned the entire world, not just Pakistan.

They came on buses, cars, bicycles, trucks, tractors and if they could not find a transport they came on the foot. The ones who did not have feet came on crutches. The ones who could not uses crutches came on the wheel chairs. Those who could not use either of the two came on the shoulders of their loved ones. The inspirational vibrancy and the unflinching determination were spine-tingling.

It was not just the mood in Minto Park that was surreal. People who could not come to the venue were glued to their television screens, the ones who were not watching had their ears plugged to the radio channels, the ones who only had access to the internet flooded the web sites where History in making was being streamed live and those who did not have access to any media related gadgets called their homes only to put the home telephone in front of the TV so that they can listen on their phone as the event unfolds in Minto Park.

He revived the word “hope” in their minds, taught them the courage, stoked the fire of energy, stirred their passion, infused the resilience and changed the dimension of Pakistani Politics from every possible angle for the times to come. It felt as if the mood of March 23, 1940 at Minto Park was reborn and suddenly, he became the rip roaring Phenomenon.  A Phenomenon which I have decided to call, “Imran Khan”.

Yes indeed, Imran Khan and You, the workers, the Tehrikis deserve the full credit for shocking the world to the core. You are now the wow factor!!! You are now contagious and yes, you did turn the tables. Yes, you have finally fractured the decayed political system of this country. Yes, you are now what I call “the third force”. You are no more a myth, you are the reality. Therefore, welcome!!....welcome to the politics of the real world but the party has just started and the hard work is yet to be done.

What will stamp success of the Tehriki Movement are the specifics that you need to unfold now on how to fix the countless problems faced by the country.  How you plan to alleviate poverty. What is your economic model. How the deficit will be turned into surplus. What educational and health reforms you plan to bring. How will you improve the infrastructure of the country. How joblessness will be spun into job opportunities. What will you do different that the current election system will bring the best at the helm of affairs. How will you curb nepotism. How the speedy justice will be served at the lowest levels and not just by the Supreme Court. How the delimitation of provinces will happen.

Everything said above has a true indication of a revolution in making.

The romance, the idealism, the sincerity indeed has the reminiscent of 1940’s era but how can this revolt be turned into a successful revolution is the question that every Tehriki and its leadership need to ask themselves.

But for the opponents, do not take Oct 30^th show as a onetime fluke by a cricket rock star. In fact you are quickly running out of options if you do not decide to fix your crooked political doctrine.

The Author is the CEO of  “The Pakistan First Group”, a Pakistani Think Tank and host of INTERNET RADIO SHOW “HAWK EYE” AT WATAN RADIO, pakistanfirst.com. He is also a senior editor of the magazine “The Re-Volt”.

The author can be reached at: faisal@pak1stanfirst.com