State of politics in Pakistan “The right is fighting the Right wing & the left is rescuing the right wing”

Politics demands more politicians to take care of their people rather standing for the personal gains & privileges but since Pakistan’s date of inception & from there on, the noble & the laureate profession of politics stands in shambles, today the politics in Pakistan has become messy & murky not just because of the politicians but also because of the vested interests of various corporations, media outlets, bureaucracy, non-governmental organizations, the black money market, elite groupings, last but not the least, the landlords and the industrialists. Though a large number of Pakistani politicians are either land lords or industrialists and those who do not fall under these two categories, they usually toe a popular policy which is to double their assets and to less talk and care about their people who vote them.

Though the role of money in politics has been there in every society but in Pakistan it is more than needed and strengthening its roots further, In Pakistan it’s money which has been a symbol of political status, the more money you have, the more bigger leader you are or you have the chances to be. It’s the money which determines your status in political party but not the association or your loyalty but this case is limited to the right wing political parties because the left doesn’t exist anymore, once those were leftist political parties, they have altered their image into a half boiled egg, they are in a confused state, they are in a state of trauma but this situation and this state of mind exists also on the other side i.e. among the right wing political parties, because in Pakistan both the right and the left have become cartels of the elite class, the cartels of industrialists and the landlords, and this is the result of money introduced in politics by scandals like Midnight jackal and Mehran Bank that today Pakistani politics merely stand in a muddle.

But it’s not only these political parties which are in a state of confusion but entire society is going through a state of conflict within conflict, it’s in a static state, in a paranoid state where neither a Mulla knows what he was taught for and what he has to impart, nor a leader knows what his duty is and whom he has to lead, The citizens don’t know what their rights are? In factories, the working class, the laborers are being forcefully taken 12 hours duty, but who care no one and even these laborers who once used to agitate, they are going through worst situations in factories but are reluctant to stand for their rights. Moreover we are in a society where a military action has been going on against terrorists in FATA and another operations going on in rest of Pakistan and that operation is against minorities and its intensity says it’s a “Operation Minorities cleanup” because in Pakistan, it’s mobs and the majority which decides everything, but not the mobs and majority of the working class but the majority of the ruling elite. The majority of the working class gets suppressed whenever it comes out in a form of mob and MRD movement, 12th May carnage are few instances of such mobs, where working class was brutally suppressed when they came out to demand their rights.

But who has to bring us out of this state of mind? Obviously the leaders, the political parties but how? When they themselves are in a state of confusion, the genuine class and the genuine political party is talking about saving the system and saving an engineered party which was constructed in 1988 to oust genuine class from parliament, and another engineered political party is standing against an engineered party. This has been the real tragedy with Pakistan that the right wing is opposing the right wing and the left wing is standing to rescue the right wing, absolutely wrong class is taking right things but the absolute right class is reluctant to accept the right things and wants to stable a system, which doesn’t have remedy to the problems of common class.

Another tragedy with Pakistan’s political system is that it’s hardly 15% Pakistanis who are staging protests against an elected government and rest of 85% Pakistanis are silent majority, though they are living in miserable conditions, they are being persecuted, they are being mentally tortured, their rights have been snatched, their lives are worse than those in Rwanda and Ethiopia but still they are reluctant to come out, the way they come out in 1968/69 but why? Because in this 85% a large majority is the working class and the working class hardly denounce their allegiance and their loyalty, they are still waiting for their party to wake up, their party. the party of commoners, the party of laborers, the party of peasants and the party of downtrodden class has to realize now that their workers are not their strength, their landlords, their personal friends are not their strength it’s the awaam, the common Pakistanis who are their strength and who bring them into rule, it’s the time for all the political parties to break the statuesque exist within and to bring the common classes on forefront so the static situation of society could be blown up, because the political activism at the bottom is the only way out to get Pakistan towards the road of progress & prosperity. Otherwise sooner or later we will lose this democracy because the democracy in elite class is not the democracy, the democracy has to be shared among the commoners, who are the movers and shakers of the economy, the system and the parliament.

Let’s hope Pakistani intelligentsia, the political brass, the policy makers and the political parties will soon realize the gravity of inertia, today exists in our society, which is a breeding ground for many conflicts, and which is a breeding ground for further dividing society into various factions, now it’s the duty of Pakistani leaders and the political parties to break this existing inertia by bringing political activism in the working class of Pakistan and Pakistan Peoples Party is the only force in the country which can unite the working class, the laborers under its flag as it previously did in 1968/69’s revolution, because Pakistan’s electorate begging for a leadership which could unite all the factions of society and this is the test of each and every Pakistani leader because a leader is the one who forms a nation out of factions, by uniting them all under one flag. Let’s hope for the dawn which was promised.

Malik Zameer Hassan Awan.
Zameer0201@hotmail.com
Twitter: @ComradePk

“Election campaign seems tragedy rather than festivity”.

The date for next general elections has already been announced in Pakistan, almost more than half of process to contest elections have been cleared by candidates & political parties, despite facing crucial challenges & hurdles along with numerous religious questions from returning officers from candidates, finally the first step has been completed and now the government machinery & the Election Commission of Pakistan set to  enter into the final phase of the election process.

This process is taking place when the clouds of terrorism and extremism hovering upon our frontiers and inside our societies, religious & sectarian conflicts have been hiking day by day in almost three provinces of Pakistan. Not only the law and order situation is further deteriorating day by day but also the financial capitals of Pakistan and their stakeholders specially MQM from Karachi has several reservations about the election process and its fairness. North – West Pakistan has almost turned into a breeding ground for terrorists, where suicide bombers never miss chance to attack an ANP’s political gathering.

With all these facts and dubious situation, its first time in the political history of Pakistan when the election campaign hasn’t got that momentum which usually the political workers of Pakistan used to witness in election campaign & in the election process. As soon after the election’s date announcement & till final day there used to be a festivity everywhere with Jalsas, corner meetings & door to door canvassing but unforunatley only 3 weeks left for final contest but we have been deprived of festivity which earlier also in the last election, was turned into a tragedy after Shaheed Benazir’s murder.

Recent attacks on ANP , PPP, MQM, & PML-N candidates, along with death threats from Talibans to these parties are the main reasons for election campaign’s slow run rate along with this one of the biggest reasons for slow, steady & a calm election campaign is that still various candidates of Elections- 2013 are not convinced & sure about the election date, neither the parties are. And this fear of election delay is keeping candidates away from investing money on election campaign due to which there has been less circulation of resources & candidates are more relying on E- Sources rather than direct public contact.

Pakistan’s election commission should immediately come up with solution & must arrange an adequate security not only for candidates but also for public gatherings. And political parties like PML-N , MQM & PPP should come up with massive public gatherings, which they are known for, this will help  gaining general public’s interest in the elections along with this such massive gathering will wipe off the fear of election’s delay from candidates, last but not least Pakistan Army should immediately play its role and provide its full strength & its security expertise to ECP.

Timely, free & fair elections are the only way out to take Pakistan towards the road of progress & prosperity.

Malik Zameer Hassan Awan
Secretary Information
P.Y.O- Karachi Division.
Zameer0201@hotmail.com

Punjab’s agri productivity falls in five years

 Agriculture productivity declined from 2007 to 2011 in almost every major and essential crop in Punjab, while it increased in Sindh, Pakistan Agriculture Scientist Association Chairman Jamshad Iqbal Cheema said in a briefing to the Agriculture Journalist Association (AJA) here on Thursday.

While quoting from the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2011-12’s figures, he said that Punjab’s agriculture productivity has registered a downward trend due to the provincial government’s policies. However, the province of Sindh, which has always remained far behind Punjab in agriculture productivity, registered improvement mainly due to government’s nonexistence in agriculture sector. “Sindhi farmers increase agriculture productivity by their own means and no credit goes to the provincial government,” Cheema said. He said that in Punjab area under wheat cultivation increased by 0.20 percent in the last four years, while productivity declined by 9.7 percent and 9.90 percent per acre yield as compared to Sindh where area under cultivation increased by 4.75 percent, production by 13 percent and per acre yield by 8.25 percent.

In view of maize, area under cultivation declined by 0.94 percent in Punjab but the productivity increased by 2.48 percent and per acre yield by 2.48 percent, he added. On the other hand, in Sindh reduction in area under cultivation was by 6.66 percent but productivity increased by 11.11 percent and per acre yield by 17.77 percent.

He further said that area under rice cultivation in Punjab grew by 4.07 percent with enhancement in production by 2.31 percent, but per acre yield declined by 1.76 percent as compared to Sindh where area under cultivation increased by 9.96 percent, production by 12.84 percent and per acre yield by 2.88 percent.

“Another major crop, cotton, witnessed a reduction in area under cultivation by 2.34 percent, production by 11.81 percent and 9.47 percent per acre productivity in Punjab,” he said. “Whereas, Sindh was again in the lead with an increase in area under cultivation by 1.53 percent, in production by 28.57 percent and a 27.04 percent increase in per acre yield.” Similarly, a declining trend was registered in sugarcane in which area under cultivation reduced by 0.94 percent but production increased by 2.48 percent and per acre productivity by 3.42 percent in Punjab due to the use of better and certified seeds. However, in Sindh, area under cultivation increased by 14.49 percent and production by 12.98 percent, but per acre productivity declined by 1.50 percent, he added.

“In Punjab, area under cultivation of gram, lentil, mung, mash, canola and sunflower crops declined by 0.85 percent, 55.60 percent, 17.12 percent, 29.46 percent, 45.79 percent and 16.67 percent, respectively.

He believed that due to the careless attitude towards Punjab agriculture sector, the country faced food security risk.

 

Sources : The News , Pakistan Agriculture scientist Association, AJA – (Agriculture journalist Association.

Why Pakistan is not a failed state by Michael Kugelman

 

More than 24,000 Pakistanis form the world’s largest “human national flag” in Lahore. –APP Photo

It’s been about a week since the Connecticut school massacre, and Americans are still grieving.

Yet we’re comforted by the thought that, with time, the bereaved community of Newtown will bounce back. Students will return to school, and victims’ families will somehow get on with their lives. This is because America, as politicians and the US media have intoned repeatedly in recent days, is a strong and resilient society.

For me, such words bring to mind another strong and resilient society — one that endures constant afflictions, tragedies, and privation. I can think of few nations that suffer more misery than Pakistan.

Pakistan certainly isn’t the only country where, in a span of hours, an infant can be bitten by a rat in a hospital nursery, and 16 people can die from consuming toxic cough medicine. This happened several weeks ago.

Yet, place these individual incidents alongside the unending onslaught of natural disaster, insurgency, terrorism, corruption, poverty, natural resource shortage, and disease. Now you can understand why so many Pakistanis suffer from PTSD, and are driven to desperate measures.

In 2008, in one of the most harrowing pieces of journalism I’ve ever read, Newsline’s Shimaila Matri Dawood wrote of Pakistanis murdering their children, jumping in front of trains, and setting themselves on fire — all because they couldn’t provide for their families.

Still, the aim of my final post of 2012 is not to dwell on Pakistan’s suffering. It is to showcase the remarkable strength and resiliency with which the Pakistani society responds to it.

When the 2010 floods plunged 20 per cent of the nation underwater, the government was largely missing in action. Yet doctors, housewives, students, and many others (not to mention the military) immediately deployed to the affected areas to render assistance. Of course, many Pakistanis minister to the needy every day, and not just after humanitarian catastrophes. Witness the tireless work of Pakistan’s living legend, Abdul Sattar Edhi.

Some of Pakistan’s citizen-first responders come bearing not relief or medical supplies, but inspiring words and campaigns that galvanise the nation. Malala Yousafzai certainly comes to mind — as does Sana Saleem, the free speech advocate recently named one of Foreign Policy’s top 100 global thinkers of 2012 (Malala made the list as well). Their ilk will increasingly take center stage as older generations — led by the likes of the late Ardeshir Cowasjee — retire from public life.

Then there are those Pakistanis who use their rare gifts to benefit the country. The tragically short life of Arfa Karim, the teenaged IT genius who provided computer training to the poor, is a shining example.

Also admirable are those who labor under the most difficult of conditions, yet still pull off extraordinary acts. Take journalists and doctors, many of whom are severely underpaid and overworked, and work in dangerous environments. Admittedly, some of them succumb to the stress (recall the surgeon who left operating scissors in a patient’s stomach, and the journalists who fell for the infamous Shamsul Anwar hoax). Yet many more shrug off threats to break critical stories, or save countless lives. I’ll never forget the young doctor I met last summer, who told me he constantly fears getting attacked at his hospital by livid people denied care. When I asked why he keeps going back, his answer was immediate and simple: “Pakistan needs medical care.”

And then there are the besieged religious minorities, who quietly persevere in a nation that refuses to protect them. It’s a wonder more haven’t fled.

Finally, there are the simple yet poignant acts of charity and benevolence — like the kids in Karachi who collect garbage every Sunday, or the Islamabad-based peace activists who travel to KP to speak to students about tolerance and nonviolence.

One of Pakistan’s enigmas is how it manages to “muddle along” despite its multitude of problems. The answer can be found in its people, who hold the country together. They are undoubtedly driven by patriotism, which runs deep despite the nation’s divisions. This is why I cringe whenever I hear Pakistan referred to as a “failed state.” So long as the Pakistani society remains strong, I can’t imagine how Pakistan can fail.

At least not yet.

The question, in the years ahead, is whether Pakistan’s resilient society can beat back the cresting waves of militancy and sectarianism that threaten to tear Pakistan apart and, one day, even plunge it into civil war. Balkanisation, more so than an Islamist takeover, is a very real threat to the Pakistani state.

Up to now, the Pakistani society has stepped in to provide services and fill roles where the government is absent. Yet this isn’t a sustainable strategy. To avert disaster in the decades ahead, the Pakistani state will need to step up — and provide the leadership and good judgment long exemplified by its society.

See you in 2013.

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The author is the Senior Program Associate for South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC. You can reach him at michael.kugelman@wilsoncenter.org

President Zardari’s felicitates Christians

ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari has felicitated the Christian community on the eve of Christmas.
In his message, the President said “on the auspicious occasion of Christmas, I extend heartiest greetings to our Christian brethren all over the world and in particular to those living in Pakistan.
Christmas is a time for celebration and rejoicing. It is also a time to reflect on the message of Jesus Christ (May Allah be pleased with him), the eternal message of love, peace and forgiveness. It is time of rededication to his teachings and to seek forgiveness for sins.
We as Muslims deeply revere Jesus Christ as one of the great messengers of Allah Almighty. His universal message of love and peace transcending race, color and geographical boundaries holds great promise in today’s world that has increasingly become bereft of tolerance, harmony and peace.
On this occasion I also wish to acknowledge and appreciate the great contributions made by our Christian brethren in Pakistan in all fields of endeavour. The nation is proud of their great contributions to the development of the country and deeply admires their loyalty to the state and commitment to abide by the law. I have no doubt that they will continue to play their positive role for peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
The equality of all citizens of the state has been enshrined in our Constitution. The Quaid-e-Azam made it abundantly clear in his address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947.
The democratic Government of Pakistan is committed to pursue policies that are aimed at creating greater harmony and cohesion between people of different faiths. I wish to reiterate that we will continue to fight religious apartheid. Let it also be made clear that we will not permit the persecution of members of other faiths in the name of religion nor permit their hounding by misuse of laws and abuse of judicial processes.

Why ? Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should be Mover & Shaker of PPP ?

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s reaction after attack on Malala YousufZai

Most of my fellow Pakistanis specially those between youth age group hardly understand or try to get harsh realities of Live, being part & resident of heterogeneous society they are always told to force their view on others, rather then accepting logic they keep bashing other’s view with irrelevant statements and distorted facts and history. Since media revolution in Pakistan not only the youth but general Pakistani adopt a lot many things from media and anchor persons, in early 80’s & 90’s the prime time used to have drama contrary to this, these dramas replaced current affair shows, but not exactly replaced in fact the general audience started giving more concentration to current affair shows. This not only effected mindset of every individual living in Pakistan but also media started playing role in movers and shakers of society, it started transforming the thoughts of individuals, groups and societies and today one of state’s pillar is truly acting as a pillar of state. In fact this pillar has been very productive to some extent in Pakistan but there has been some forces working in and behind media who are toeing an agenda that’s not their agenda but in fact its hidden agenda and its secret agenda.

When it comes to PPP and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, there has been several media persons who have been trying to convince their audience that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is not eligible to be PPP’s supreme leader, because he is not more than 22 years old, he can not speak Urdu, he can not speak any of regional languages ? Let me reveal you today After Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, when Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was announced as Chairman PPP, I was more of the opinion that PPP should only be leaded by Asif Ali Zardari, as Bilawal need’s to be more mature in next 10 to 15 years. Then to lead Pakistan one need to be aware of ground realities in Pakistan, specially the culture, language and traditions and last but not least one should have leadership qualities to lead PPP and Pakistan, specially those once my elder generation witnessed in Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

I have been working in PPP for last some years, I have been trying my best to avoid buttering which I often find in some political workers doing with great command over this profession, since I started my political career being political activist I was not that much mature to seek or realize reasons for joining PPP‘s student wing, one thing in my mind was to get maximum benefits being a student activist, But later during my education in department of International relations, University of Karachi. I got chance to evaluate Pakistan Politics and political history of Pakistan, Till then I was not well aware about political history of Pakistan, But my education in Karachi university gave me chance to research a lot about Pakistan and its political parties and truly speaking from there my commitment with PPP started strengthening to a extent that today I proudly say After Islam and my religion if anything next I am proud of in my life is PPP.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari chairing meeting in Karachi

I don’t want you to read a lot about PPP over hear even I don’t want to write persecutions PPP faced in Pakistan by its establishment, I don’t want to write about historic sacrifices of PPP leaders and its workers, But I do wanna state here that I am not an old PPP worker  just started my political worker in 2002 through PPP’s youth wing and later when i went in university I got affiliated with PPP’s student wing PSF. Through out my political career I was not convinced either I am going to get any place in political cadre of PPP or even I would get chance to be called a PPP leader, because I knew after all I am a son of Poor worker, who have been working in Steel mills for last many years.

But last year I received call from Owais Muzaffar Tappi’s  coordinator to reach Bilawal House next day as I will get chance to meet Party’s chairman Bilalwal Bhutto Zardari following a training on media by foreign qualified media expert, who was here in karachi on chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s request, only 18 high profile PPP workers were there for that training. The day for me and my feelings can never be written, neither i could find any couplet to detail my feelings, but one thing I would like to say I never knew that chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would be having those all qualities which usually I was told by the generation which had chance to work closely with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, I never knew and even I was not convinced before meeting him that he is exactly the guy next for Pakistan who has the idea for future of Pakistan & how can get Pakistan towards road of progress.

About two months back watching my abilities Owais Muzaffar Tappi  gave me chance to work for party through bilawal house media cell, for me again it was a great attachments as in my party literate workers hardly get chance to come at front and lead the party, If you are an educated workers in my party no doubt its hard to survive because my party has all those characteristics which you would find in an ordinary Pakistani citizen, but I am great full to Owais Muzaffar Tappi who saw abilities inside me and let me have chance to demonstrate my skills for party. Even though I already have been working with PEOPLES YOUTH  ORGANIZATION- Karachi Division as its divisional Secretary Information for couple of last months, where I was promoted by Mr. Rauf Nagori President Peoples Youth Organizaation- Karachi, again couldn’t find words to describe qualities of these young jeala who almost sacrificed his entire life for PPP, and have been struggling for PPP since he was in college, and had to went in exile as well.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari with HH SH.Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and vice president and prime minister of UAE

Again coming back to my point my Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should be Mover and Shaker of PPP ? So let me tell you again recently I had chance to meet him again in Bilawal House Karachi, where I had chance to talk to him, and he kept listening me and answering me with a logic to every of my question, Let me reveal you without any buttering or polishing as being political worker the very first lesson I was told was to speak truth either its in favor of your leadership or not, But what I the qualities and leadership skills I have recently witnesses once again I can describe them in words, but let me detail you that my elder generation who miss Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, no doubt they will get their bhuttos back in Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s charismatic personality. I have the worst critique of family politics, but today I wanna confess Bilawal Bhutto Zardari today is the only guy who is right man for the right job, thats PPP’s leadership, rest you will witness a lot on 27th Decemeber, Be ready to listen Benazir’s Benazir son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on 27th December. My words are not ample to describe here today, all you will witness yourself on 27th December.
Malik Zameer Hassan Awan
Secretary Information
Peoples Youth Organization- Karachi Division.
Zameer0201@hotmail.com

The declining political prospects of Imran Khan

One year ago, I wrote a piece asserting that Imran Khan was peaking too soon.

I argued in part that the PTI’s electability is exaggerated because most of its support lies in cities, which contain only a third of Pakistan’s population. In several decades, when a majority of Pakistanis are living in cities, the story could be different. But not now.

Predictably, I was pilloried by Khan’s feisty followers. “Give us a break,” one of them wrote to me. “Imran Khan shall Insha Allah rise, and no anti-Imran propaganda would work.”

Alas, based on events of the last few weeks, it may be more accurate to say that Khan’s star has already risen — and is now in danger of falling.

One can’t deny his popularity, as evidenced by those monster jalsa turnouts in Lahore and Karachi, and by the polls that find the PTI to be Pakistan’s most popular political party. Khan is a hero to young, urban-based, middle-class, conservative Pakistanis — a rapidly growing demographic much more representative of Pakistan than the small cosmopolitan elite most familiar to Washington.

Khan’s popularity actually extends beyond urban Pakistan — to the Beltway and Big Apple. I’ve met numerous Khan aficionados within the US-based Pakistan Diaspora, including angry yet articulate students who pepper me with probing questions when I make presentations on university campuses. If Khan were to give a public talk in Washington, he’d attract hundreds of Pakistani Americans — and not just because of his celebrity status (incidentally, Pervez Musharraf, far from Mr. Popularity and dismissed by many as a has-been, drew an audience of 400 at a Wilson Center lecture in 2011).

But let’s consider what’s happened of late. Where has Khan gone? He’s been relatively quiet, and especially since his anti-drones peace caravan. He continues to score some media interviews, though mainly in Western outlets. The only major headlines he has generated of late came from hisunpleasant encounter with US customs officials during a visit to Canada.

Has Khan decided to lay low for a while because of the death threat he received from the Taliban this summer? I seriously doubt it; Khan isn’t the type to cower in the face of such threats (when I met him several years ago, it was clear that he exudes strength — from his large frame and booming voice to supreme confidence).

More likely, he’s taking some time out to rethink his problematic political strategy and platform.

After all, while he has attracted some big names to the PTI (think Asad Umar and Shah Mahmood Qureshi), the party has suffered some recent defections (think Shireen Mazari). Additionally, anti-Khan commentary has been especially vociferous of late, as exemplified by a devastating takedown on Dawn.com.

Some of the criticism he’s receiving is misplaced. Sure, ending corruption in 90 days is outlandishly idealistic. But let’s face it: No politician campaigns on substance; he or she campaigns on sound bytes and rhetoric (I dare anyone to uncover one second of substance from the just-concluded $6 billion US presidential campaign).

It is Khan’s views about militancy — and how to address it — that deserve criticism. The Malala tragedy crystallises the absurdity (and danger) of his seemingly conciliatory position toward the sickeningly brutal TTP. Pakistan’s overwhelming, broad-based public condemnation of the TTP after its attack on the young schoolgirl — a far cry from the responses to the assassinations of Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti or, for that matter, to any sectarian killing — suggests that Khan’s position is sorely at odds with public opinion.

However, it’s the Pakistani political system — the very institution he vows to radically reform — that most threatens his quest for political power. It is a patronage-driven machine that offers practically no electoral victory hopes for political parties not named PPP or PML.

The PPP may be unpopular, but I can’t imagine one of its leaders not becoming the next prime minister. Certainly the PTI will win seats in next year’s election, but not enough to form a government (unless, of course, the security establishment helps propel Khan to power — a prediction heard less often now than earlier this year, at least here in Washington).

This is why it’s wrong to compare Khan to Barack Obama, as some observers have done. Sure, they’re both candidates of hope. But Obama belongs to one of his country’s established political parties; Khan does not. A more appropriate American equivalent to Khan would be Ralph Nader — an incorruptible third-party politician with strident views and young, fervent supporters. Yet he has never come close to winning an election.

Before the PTI trolls release their venom on me, let’s be clear: Khan could well become prime minister one day. Urbanisation threatens the rural-based bastions of the PML-N and PPP, and an opening could eventually emerge for ascendant parties like the PTI.

But that’s a discussion for another day.

 

 

The author is the Senior Program Associate for South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC. You can reach him at michael.kugelman@wilsoncenter.org