"WHAT CHANGE??" - A Rebuttal.

'WHAT CHANGE?' is a piece that has recently been written by a friend on Facebook. The following is a rebuttal to the arguments he's put forward. 

"The single largest emphasis of Imran Khan’s campaign in recent years is on the eradication of corruption. Without a doubt, corruption is an immensely popular slogan all around the world. Veritably spirited displays of vehemence and hostility are inspired by it, no matter where you go, who you talk to. There isn't a society that doesn't condemn it. But after all this is agreed upon, we can’t refute the fact that it also exists everywhere, in every society over the world, among all groups of people, in different forms and shapes.

So of course, our country isn't free of its tentacles either. Thus, correctly interpreting sentiments and commiserating with the people’s resentment against the practice, Mr. Khan has pertinently raised and projected the issue, and gained the heartfelt appreciation and support of the public. Mr. Khan has identified two institutions who indulge in these malpractices, namely the Politicians, and the Civil Bureaucracy."

Corruption is no doubt a massive issue in Pakistan. I wouldn't be surprised if corruption, in some form or the other, is being practiced here in Australia as well. However, few of the reasons why countries like Australia and UK are epitomes of success is because of their institutionalization of each and every aspect of their Government(s), and courtesy their independent judiciary. Hence, corruption in any form that it may exist stops hurting the society, and especially the lower tier, which has been out-rightly compromised of their rights. If a person gets caught speeding in Australia, bribing the Police Officer is not even considered remotely. Why is that? Because the system is institutionalized where the Officer will be held accountable for any corruption he might exercise. Imran Khan's arguments based around corruption target exactly these issues. Shaukat Khanum Hospital is a prime example of an institution. 

You criticize Khan's 'manipulation' of the public using the-all-too-common-global-issue, corruption, as his premise; well, it is the reason why Pakistan is where it is today, hence it's a perfectly sound evil to attack. I'm sorry but your argument of corruption being a global issue so accept it and move on doesn't make sense at all. 

"POLITICIANS

As everyone has witnessed, Mr. Khan has so thoroughly discredited, disgraced and besmirched this group, stripped them of their dignity beyond repair, that to further sully their honor would be redundant. Excepting those, OF COURSE, who joined PTI; the exception lasting until they are part of the party, OF COURSE. The message that was projected through the media to the whole world was that not even ONE of the 1176 elected representatives/parliamentarians of our country deserve the right of representation!"

"I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion." ~ Alexander the Great

The worth of all our parliamentarians is equal to none solely because of the leaders they follow. No matter how honest or impartial they might be within their personal domain of authority and existence, it's all negated the minute they swear by the integrity and rectitude of the Sharif's or Bhutto's. 

The reason why I wouldn't care less as to whose joining PTI is only because of Imran Khan. Change always comes from top to bottom, not the other way around. If the leader exercises self-accountability, the corrupt elements tend to slither away out of mere trepidation. Of course, I base this on my complete faith in Imran Khan which he has earned over his years of service to Pakistan and achieving his larger than life ambitions. 

"CIVIL BUREAUCRACY

As for this group, it has been declared by Mr. Khan that they have been politicized, giving way to corruption. The patwari, police, management, all. The KEY, according to him, is to de-politicize them, so as to eliminate the corrupt practices. Way to go, Mr. Khan! How simply you've explained away a highly complex situation. Some would call it reductionist! Actually, all sensible people would. The fact of the matter is, your impractical grasp of the situation, and your over-simplified proposed solution, only appeal to you and your equally unrealistic followers. Evidently, you don’t even have any comprehension of the sheer magnitude of their corruption; how then can you possibly put an end to it!? It seems gravely Utopian."

Did you even read PTI's manifesto? Honestly speaking, it is as simple as de-politicizing these filthy outfits (minus Patwari). Again, having an institution in place with all the subjects being held accountable at every stretch is exactly what will put an end to all this farce.

His comprehension of the problem at hand is conspicuously clear by the fact that he's been in politics for the last 18 years with absolutely nothing personal to gain. He compromised his personal life for the sake of Pakistan; the least we can do is support him, skeptically or otherwise. He is one of the most famous cricketers in the history of the sport; you think he would've had any problems exploiting a lavish and kingly lifestyle? I'm aware of these cliched arguments but they are no less true than they were earlier. And fortunately, or otherwise, no one has been able to refute them. 

I don't know Khan personally, and all I have is the image he's created over the last four decades as a celebrity with his subordinates and colleagues, and even his competitors, singing songs about his honesty, impartiality and discipline. These qualities of his also shows that he's above material gain. Not sure about you, but these principles and morals are very dear to me personally.

"LOWER JUDICIARY

People say that many of our lower judiciary members are living life beyond their means. It is inexplicable that you downplay the role of the most important segment of society in your reproaches, a segment without which society can’t survive, THAT’S how important it is. But bafflingly, all we hear is cursory reference to the group! If only this one institution is straightened out, we might not only see the corruption prevalent among the sub-ordinate bodies (Patwari, police and administration) wiped out, but common people might start getting justice as well, leading to a radical, most prosperous change in society! So really Mr.Khan, practical people honestly don't see how emphasizing the role of the subordinates over the controllers is the way to go about it."

I object to Khan not addressing the problem of widespread corruption being exercised by Government College, Sargodah. Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Lower judiciary is a part of the judicial setup in Pakistan which automatically got confronted the minute PTI released its manifesto outlining the revamping of the judicial system. 

As far as I'm aware, not even once has Khan talked about giving the power to the 'subordinates over controllers'. Because a democratic system he's proposing does not condone that. 

"MEDIA

Stories of yellow journalism and lafafa journalism are widespread and common, old news practically, the petty benefits of the job surely not a secret to anyone; but the corruption scandals connected with some of the media persons and owners are downright demoralizing and disillusioning! It seems that you aren't daring enough to censure this most influential of groups. One mere media person is regarded as a force to be reckoned with, and some of the media persons take wrongful advantage of their position as opinion-makers, and yet you are blind to their corruption. Is it because it’s them you owe your popularity to? Mr.Khan, it is the bitter truth – Today if you are a leader, it is just because these media houses worked upon making you one. THEY MADE YOU and you fear that they will break you. And for that, you can’t ever wipe out their corruption. You have NEVER talked about it; you WILL NEVER talk about it. Where’s your vision now?The change you sing about?"

In defense of the media in Pakistan; that fact that you're writing this article exclusively because of the media that has 'matured' over the last few years in Pakistan. And of course because of Imran Khan who has inspired the youth enough to actually develop some kind of opinion on politics, no matter how baseless and flimsy.  

As far as Imran Khan and media is concerned, following is what Talat Hussain has to say about it. Now if you want to go on a tirade against this guy as well, beautiful. 

"ESTABLISHMENT

Mr. Khan, with all due respect, you are known to be an establishment-born party. So we understand that you need at least ten years time to pluck up the courage to speak on issues regarding them."

Seriously, we're just awesome. Establishment-born parties are like PML-N who came from the loins of IGI/IDA, Zia-ul-Haq party. Their incompetency reached a completely new level when toppled over by the likes of General (Retd.) Musharraf, the continuation of their tirade against him while sitting in opposition for the last five years claiming to hang the bugger for his crimes, and doing practically shithouse now that the General has returned to Pakistan. Please have a look at the following:

This, my friend, is an establishment born entity and the brilliance that they've concocted since their origin. 

"Sometimes I wonder why Donald Trump was stupid enough to ask President Obama to show his birth certificate. But now I understand that such demands are put forward in times when the fundamentals of a leader are in doubt because of their actions.Today I question YOUR degree, Mr. Khan! Philosophy, Politics & Economics from Oxford, right? Do you really have one? I suppose you do. But I am sorry to say that it doesn't show. Corruption, you say, is the most important issue barring the country from success and prosperity. Well then, how do you justify India?There’s more corruption over there in comparison to our country and yet it is much more prosperous, better than us in every way! So basically it turns out that corruption is not the main issue, it is just ANOTHER issue. And the way you suggest we go about it, the 90 days hogwash concept, how delusional Mr.Khan. Our societies, culture, WE as a nation, are drenched in corruption to the core. We are corrupt down to our fingertips. Now that kind of plague doesn't go away in 90 days with your ‘all PM/CABINET being clean’ proposal. How naive of you.There is only one way to go about it and that is to get the economy moving. The more money that comes in, the more the business activity, the more the capital generation, the more satisfaction and the LESS corruption. I just wish the youth that follow you blindly get this in their heads that You are NOT what you appear to be. Corruption is just a popular slogan for you, something that you’re using to win the elections; nothing more,nothing less."

A very fair act to question Khan's degree as well, I guess all of us should have. However, to say that it doesn't show is something that does not lie within your domain of judgement, neither does it in mine. All I can do is comment on what his party has written in its manifesto. Khan is not the policy maker of his party, neither is he going to be a policy maker for Pakistan; that is where his subordinates such as Asad Umar  and Jahangir Tareen come in who have brewed up the entire energy and economic policy for Pakistan. As Khan's been saying for ages; PTI is NOT a one man party, it is purely a democratic institution. 

You quote India's success? Please read the following article:

http://rupeenews.com/2009/12/reflections-on-india-by-sean-paul-kelley/

Arundhati Roy has always had a similar take on India as well. And much to the chagrin and anger of Indira Gandhi, so did Fidel Castro when he visited India in the 70's. That is a whole other debate as to how has India managed to sell their image of prosperity and cleanliness. 

Khan has be reiterating exactly the same thing for over 10 years and is a core part of the security policy outlined in PTI's manifesto; disengage from the War on Terror so that foreign investment comes into the country and the economy starts moving. However, your point stating corruption will be less because of more capital being generated; I don't even want to start on that. Pray tell how you came up with this correlation, I'm more than intrigued. 

As for me personally, I do not follow Imran Khan and PTI blindly. I genuinely believe in his mission and the intent with which he has taken on these evils in Pakistan. I take you calling me blind an affront, and would really request you to refrain from passing such baseless and crappy judgments on me. 

Lastly, I would just like to congratulate you for clearing my mind even more and further strengthening my belief in Imran Khan's vision. Your single-tracked criticism of Imran Khan is nothing more than a futile attempt at throwing baseless dirt on him exactly like the others have been doing all this while. Criticism is healthy only in scenarios when some semblance of a solution is also provided. Otherwise, that makes you no different from the likes of NFP and Fasi Zaka who criticize to get some sort of a hit out of it. 

Following is a copy of PTI's manifesto, please make time to read it. 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/134950996/PTI-Manifesto-2013

Pakistan Zindabad, PTI and Imran Khan Paindabad!

I'm watching you!