Extremism will fade away if we delink from war on terror: Imran

KARACHI: If the fiasco of May 2, followed by the memogate scandal, had occurred while he was in power, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan says he would have resigned without batting an eyelid rather than dragging the issue further. “I wouldn’t have let it happen,” he says.A confident Imran Khan was extolling the virtues of strong leadership and comparing himself to the present rulers who he sees as weak and compromised. A day after holding a successful rally in Karachi, a relaxed Khan met a group of senior journalists from the Jang Group and Geo on Monday at an informal gathering. Dressed in a grey shalwar kameez with a black waistcoat, he answered a barrage of questions from every direction. From his speech at the Karachi rally, his blueprint for the future, his dream team, relations with India to the ongoing wave of terrorism and extremism in the country, he faced every question with ease.While speaking, he was at once candid over some issues and non-committal on others. Speaking about memogate, Khan said that resigning is mistakenly considered a cowardly act by politicians in Pakistan, who refrain from doing so as they have too much to lose. Giving an example, he said that he resigned twice as captain in his cricketing career, when his selection of the team was rejected by the administration. “It shows your strength and resolve towards an issue for a higher purpose,” he says, adding that it is a symbol of a strong leadership. Talking about his concept of an Islamic welfare state and whether Pakistan can actually become what he wants it to be, he says with a smile that the term ‘Islamic state’ instantly evokes a reaction that the foundation of such a state might be radical and extreme. UGG Classic Short “My idea of a welfare state is one which is based on the outlines of what Allama Iqbal wanted. That is, a spiritual democracy. A society which is humane and where liberal thought can flourish,” he says. He points to the Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden and Norway, which he believes are closest to his ideals. He adds that these countries were not only humane and had a remarkable social security system but also had high growth rates and low crime. People paid high taxes, he said, because they believed that society would give them something back in return. This could also be the case in Pakistan, his experience shows, where people give generously to causes they believe in but not to the government which they do not trust. Imran believes that he can inspire the people and make them pay taxes because of their trust in the system he would introduce.His concept of a welfare state is easier to achieve, said Khan, by taking a broader view of what Islam has to offer in terms of the economy etc and include it in governmental policies. At the same time, the state must take responsibility to reverse the decline of four sectors: education, unemployment, health and justice. He says that he believes it is necessary to impose an emergency in certain key sectors, beginning with education, to put Pakistan back on its feet.The courts too need to be overhauled from below. “The judiciary has been subservient to the state for a very long time now. It can’t go on like this,” he says, and adds that the creation of “informal courts” at the local level can take care of routine matters and take the pressure off the higher judiciary which is now independent. The issues that we are facing today have been a result of complacency. “I can lay the foundations to resolve these issues within 90 days,” he claims.Imran insists that his interpretation of Islam is liberal despite the fact that his critics have accused him of being pro-Taliban and close to right wing elements. The question is relevant specially given that rampant radicalisation of society where killing in the name of religion is justified, even among those forces he sees as allies. Answering this charge, Khan retorts it is impossible to be a secular-minded politician in Pakistan. “You can either be on one side or the other. The reality is that a person who speaks for secularism is considered irreligious,” he says quietly.In his political career, there have been times where he has been accused of being a radical himself after some of his statements in the press were considered to be ‘soft on the extremists.’ “I have been bracketed many a times as a radical and that’s because I said I prefer talking to the extremists rather than waging a war (against them),” he says vehemently.The point, he insists, is to speak to the tribal elders and take them into confidence rather than make an enemy out of them. He insists that the US-led war in Afghanistan and drone attacks have radicalised a large section of the population of Fata which sees the US-led war in Afghanistan as a war against Islam. As a result, many suicide bombers have been created who see themselves fighting a jihad for Islam. He insists that the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan will ease that pressure and make it much easier for Pakistan to contain terrorism and extremism.”If Pakistan chooses to delink itself from the war on terror, the radicalisation and polarisation within society will eventually fade away,” he says, adding that the momentary halt in suicide bombings does not mean that we have won the war. Just one single operation in any one of the troubled areas will make extremists pour out from all corners, he states.Taking a pause, he adds cautiously that the extremist element persist because the establishment has patronised them for a long time. When asked whether it still supports such elements, he gives a non-committal answer: “We are in a peculiar situation and cannot afford to have extremists in our country.” He also says that the US elections will force Americans to take a much harder line against Pakistan and that we must prepare for the worst and learn to stand on our own feet.With the euphoria of the successful Karachi rally still fresh, Imran Khan is asked why his speech to the massive crowd was not “Karachi-specific,” at all. The main issues plaguing the city — for instance, target killings, rampant extortion, the rise of the drug and land mafia —- were not discussed at all. What does Imran say to that? Taking a deep sigh, Khan replies that he did discuss the need for the de-politicisation of the police which is the root cause of all these issues. However, he seems uncomfortable when asked whether his differences with the MQM have been resolved. “The MQM is not an enemy at all. They hold 18 seats in the assembly and we have to first take on the bigger fish,” he trails off.He was asked about another important point of his speech at the rally in Karach; the apology that Khan sought from the people of Balochistan for the “issues that they are facing.” Is apologising enough after what the people, from all communities in the province, go through on a daily basis? And can development be a substitute for real autonomy and an equitable sharing of resources? Khan says he is not looking for a safe way out, “as apologising is a step in the right direction so we can begin talks with the people.” He points to the example of West Germany, which focused all development activities on the East after reunification. Repeating what has been said before, he said that once the development projects in the province start most of the issues of the people will vanish. On that, Jahangir Tareen, who had been sitting silently beside Khan, added that, “people within the province say that the dams and bridges are being made for the contractors and outsiders and not for the people of the province, which is true to a large extent.”Imran Khan was also asked about his position on a separate province for the Seraiki-speaking people of the Punjab, from where many of his party’s most recent high profile entrants hail. Khan says that a lack of autonomy within provinces has exacerbated the need for new provinces and that, although he is all for the creation of smaller units, he is against the creation of provinces on an ethnic and linguistic basis and the Seraiki issue needs a lot of further debate.On the issue of Kashmir and relations with India, Khan says that Kashmir cannot be kept on the back-burner while talks on trade and other issues continue. “If the agencies on both sides stop meddling in each other’s countries, a lot can be achieved through dialogue as it is high time that relations with India go a notch higher.”Asked whether he knows his main weaknesses and strengths, Khan replies that introspection goes on throughout life and he knows what he is doing. It is best to learn from past mistakes and move ahead.Asked about his team and whether the new entrants in the PTI are just leftovers from the Musharraf era, he points to Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Javed Hashmi as not fitting into that category. “I am an expert in team selection. And so far my team has not been completed as yet. The day it will, we will sweep the elections,” he says confidently. He is adamant that he will only take power if he can do so on his own terms. If he feels that he is not in a position to follow his agenda he would prefer to sit in the opposition, rather than rule on the basis of compromises.From not being taken seriously to being called a confused politician, Imran Khan has come a long way, though there is speculation about the help he is receiving now to reach the top. Rubbishing the speculation, he says, “I’m stubborn. And will fight till the last ball.”