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Imran Khan,corruption,twists and turns in Pakistan politics

I had high hopes that Mr. Khan would be better than the typical cohort of corrupt, career politicians. But he turned out to be a disappointment. He cozied up to Islamic extremists and the Taliban (actually referred to Osama Bin Laden as a “martyr”). He had delusions of being a global champion for Muslims unless it conflicted with handouts from beneficiaries like China (he famously weaseled on the Uighur issue repeatedly because he “hadn’t had time” to look into it). He could not manage an economy competently, resorting to a never-ending train of loans from the IMF and Saudi Arabia. And he turned out to be just as much of a wily, bullying politician - maneuvering to place his lackey as army chief while threatening political opponents with reprisals. He tried to create a massive conspiracy theory out of vanilla comments at a meeting between mid-level officials (Donald Lu and the Pakistani ambassador), and ultimately even his supporters were unimpressed. His penchant for threatening political officials and the judiciary is what got him in trouble this time, and it isn’t entirely undeserved. So long as religion and the military does not get out of Pakistani politics, other reform measures are likely to fail. The nexus between the mullahs, the terrorist groups, and the military makes it difficult for them to give up power. Pakistan’s problem is not the West or India but its inherent contradictions. An IMF bailout will simply kick the can down the road. The country will remain as unstable as ever.

Pakistan is the only country created in the world on the basis of religion. It is the country that has practically disowned its only Nobel prize-winning scientist because he belonged to another sect. Imran Khan's own appointee, Atif Mian, a professor of economics at MIT, was sacked from his post of economic advisor because he was an Ahmadi. The results are for everyone to see. After 75 years of creation, Pakistan has hardly anything to show. Pakistan is a great example of what happens when society lets religion control every aspect of its function. All stakeholders in Pakistan - the politicians, the military, and the so-called religious leaders - use the country for selfish gains while hiding behind Islam. And the nation struggles to survive as a viable entity. The political elite of Pakistan was/is the "Landed Aristocracy". Indeed, see any photograph of any of the Muslim League Annual Meetings. All but one were be-medaled and "decorated 'feudal lords". Not only Sheriffs but also Mr. Imran Khan! "the leaders who are now in power come from the entrenched Pakistani political elite" .*The exception was the Delhi lawyer, Mr. M.A. Jinnah. He died soon after independence.

The twists and turns in Pakistani politics leave any made-up political show far behind. Truth can be stranger than fiction. But why is anyone surprised by Pakistan's constant lurch from one political crisis to another? A country formed in the name of religion should have learned its lessons when East Pakistan ( now Bangladesh ) split away to become independent. The leaders including the Army have continued to amplify the use of religion, anti-India hatred, and false charges to one-up each other while the reservoir of human talent remains unexplored and the common Pakistani continues to suffer. The groundswell of support for Imran Khan seems to be a result of the common man's frustration at the leadership failures of the past 75 years. One can give Imran Khan the benefit of doubt regarding his intentions to clean up the mess and forgive his trespasses but given his performance during his time in power, his capability to really understand the complexities of governing a 220-million-strong country with deep structural flaws in every aspect remains a big question.

The former leader of Pakistan loses an election and leaves his office. He still wishes to remain involved in the country's politics. The new leader and his supporters don't like this. The new leader, supported by some in the judiciary, filed federal charges against the former Prime Minister. Major media deny the former Prime Minister access to the media. All the details provided, i.e., the military wants control over foreign relations, does not support normalization of relations with India, wants to maintain the primacy of its own power, privilege, and wealth, etc. seem to support the assertion that the Pakistani military leaders definitely have a stake in who is prime minister. Imran Khan has been removed by the Army Chief of Pakistan Army, Gen. Bajwa. Gen. Bajwa has now “served” five different Prime Ministers. Nawaz Sharif, Khaqan Abbasi, Nasrul Mulk, Imran Khan, and Shabaz Sharif. He has forced the Prime Minister out to ensure he gets his extension.

Many would like to see Imran Khan, a darling of the Pakistan liberal high society elites, in prison without parole. A cuddly puppet in the hands of the Pakistani Army chief, Khawaja, this man is guilty of continuing to torment Islamic Jihad in Kashmir that has left thousands of Kashmiri Hindu Pandits ethnically cleansed or brutally killed. He did not initiate this religious bloodlust; Khan simply toed the line.They will only support someone for the prime minister who they can ensure will protect their agenda.Given the current situation, it would be hard to dismiss Imran Khan. He has single-handedly energized the entire Nation to the dismay of the powerful Military and the parties in power - a collection of parties, who are corrupt and many are out on bail. The Military is calling most of the shots and the Nation has descended into an Economic abyss.One of the biggest issues surrounding political stability in majority Muslim countries is the tenuous relationship between democracy (in those countries where it even exists, at least "democracy" is defined from a western perspective) and Islamic thought. Much of Islamic scholarly thinking regarding democracy ultimately ties it to the interpretation of the Quran, for which there is much disagreement (much like interpretations of the Bible in many countries). It also makes it difficult to establish a secular state. Pleasing religious fundamentalists (via blasphemy laws, tacit ignoring of oppression of religious minorities, etc.) and political interference by the military ensure that there will be no peace in the region.But this is Pakistan.

It's a shame that the Pakistani military engineered Mr. Khan's government's ouster and installed a bunch of criminals in its place. Nearly two-thirds of the military-installed government ministers, including the Prime minister, are facing corruption charges. Pakistan's military has morphed into a mafia that now effectively controls the just as corrupt judiciary, a spineless parliament, an ineffective Civil Service, and the well-funded and often armed religious groups. The military generals are corrupt to their core. They control the entire economy.They have become filthy rich by stealing money from the unaudited military budget that eats up a large chunk of the federal budget, leaving not much for the people.These generals own foreign bank accounts and properties all over the world. Their children attend private universities in the US and elsewhere and pay over $100 K in international student tuition fees.Mr. Khan's only fault was his honesty. He attempted to control the corrupt generals, the judges, and the politicians.He is undoubtedly the most popular leader the nation has ever seen since its founding father, Mr. Jinnah, 75 years ago. The military won't allow fair elections to be held. They fear that Khan's party would return to power with over a two-thirds majority allowing them to legislate to control widespread corruption in the military and its partners in crime, the judiciary, and the politicians.

Imran Khan’s massive support among common men and women in Pakistan is genuine and his only asset. The depth of support was affirmed and is noteworthy when Imran Khan’s party won local elections in Punjab, the seat of power of the Sharif brothers who since 1990 have occupied the prime minister’s office four times among themselves. However, contrary to Mr. Imran Khan’s assertions, the Pakistani army is really neutral. The army really does not have a preference for a prime minister so long as the primacy of its own power, privileges, and money-making businesses set aside for its cadre are kept intact. Also, if it gets to make foreign policy decisions regarding India and China, the Pakistani army will leave the domestic (mis)management of education, health, etc. to the civil government and let it take the blame. Army also wants the financial gains from the lucrative China- Pakistan Economic Corridor contracts and ensures its pound of flesh. The army is really neutral and does not care whichever prime minister is doing its bidding and provides a façade of democracy. If Imran Khan or any individual gains too much popular support and threatens its power, the army will stop him in every way possible. Also, if the prime minister talks of normalizing relations with India, thus taking away the army's extortion of the Pakistani populace and protection racket from India’s imaginary aggression, it will put its foot down. Imran Khan is in serious trouble because he is "openly" charging/challenging the Pakistani Military! The irony is that he became Prime Minister of Pakistan, thanks to the Army's "support"! Biting the hand that feeds is no sin in politics! But biting the Army's hand in Pakistan is foolhardy!

Pakistan is going through very dark times these days. The Fascist government is trying to keep the people of Pakistan from speaking up, there is no Freedom of Speech or Freedom of Expressing any idea against the government. Pakistan is a deep state and Shahbaz Gill is one of the victims of Fascism in Pakistan. This Arrest of Pakistan’s most popular leader Imran Khan is one of the chained events towards Marshall Law. They will create anarchy in Pakistan through the arrest of Imran Khan and then there will be no other way around except Marshal Law. The people of Pakistan are awake and very well informed this time.Right to Speak is more important than the content of Speech!! Indeed.Pakistan has strict blasphemy laws, punishable by death. But most defendants never make it to court anyway. They are killed based on an accusation. India doesn't want unstable Pakistan, Period. There are two main reasons, one is, that an unstable Pakistan will lead to more terrorism in the Indian state of Kashmir. Secondly, Say eventually India and Pakistan become one country, then who will be India's neighbor, Afghanistan, and the lawless northwest frontier region will be India's headache.

Pakistan acts as a buffer between India and the real crazies.

What ...No poster blaming America?

Imran was removed for political reasons not corruption.

In reply to Curtis