It seems Imran Khan (‘This is a Political Tsunami...’, Apr 30) wants to have his cake and eat it too. He’s now a career politician craving after power. How can he be truthful, reasonable or logical in matters related to India and Pakistan?

G.N. Rao, Hyderabad

What distinguishes Imran from others is that he is not focusing on trade alone...it can’t be the only way to keep the two countries connected.

Muhammad Ahmad, Aligarh

Someone must let Imran know that Rahul Gandhi is aiming to become PM straightaway and not putting himself through the paces as he supposes.

R. Ram, Reunion Island

Those out of power tend to make statements reflecting a practical and wise approach, but change once they get power. I hope Imran, sportsman that he is, stays committed to what he says.

Lt Col S.P. Karir, on e-mail

I am impressed with what Imran says. But even if he means it 100 per cent, will circumstances in Pakistan allow him to put it into practice?

H. Brahmbhatt, San Diego

 Actually, I did read it and I was impressed.

Even if he was being 100% honest in his words, it is hard to say real-politik of Pakistan will let him do what he desires (just like same on Indian side). On the other hand, power has a way of corrupting people so it is also hard to say if he would sing a different tune once in power.

But, regardless of how he approaches relations with India, Pakistan is in dire need of new leadership that avoids the extremes (Turkish-style military imposed secularism or Zia-style again military-imposed fundamentalism). If he can create a space for true Pakistani democracy and find some room to breathe for people of Pakistan, he would have achieved a lot.

I sure hope with age and experience he has developed a world-view that he can comfortably stick to and if that is the view he is honestly expressing in this interview than Pakistan has something look forward to.

Yasser >> TV news channels leave much to be desired. Almost as bad as fox news

Watch Lok Sabha TV. Parts of it are good.

 The comments on this forum are idiotic.  Did anyone bother to read the interview?  Imran condemned the Bombay attacks. He wants a welfare state with a complete freedom of religion. He also mentioned that the issue of militancy needs to be tackled but it has to be done tactfully. Declaring outright war on the militants is going to destroy the country. Who in India dares to take on fascists like Bal Thackeray or Narendra Modi. Problems in India and Pakistan and with each other do not exist in a vacum. There is a long and complicated history there and these issues need to solved now than to keep leaving them for future generations. I have been following the Indian media for a while now.  While the publications such as Outlook and Tehelka are excellent, the TV news channels leave much to be desired. Almost as bad as fox news which in my opinion makes the public poorly informed.

 Imran says that Rahul Gandhi has run around the process only to compare and say that Benazir became sirectly the PM! RG ran around what? Let Imran know that RG too is aspiring to straight become the PM!

As a cricketer, he was one of the top class of his time; as a cricket commentator he analysis are based on his practical experiences and therefore interesting! But the way he answers one way to the foreign press and the other way to the local media, he does not inspire any confidence! He and his statements are like a knife that cut on both the sides! 

His lie to have never met with Salman Rusdie while he did meet with him further downgrades him in the esteem of the people! His political inexperience reveals itself when he takes his country's army in a lighter vein! 

Imran is pak army's stooge. pml's army faction is gravitating towards him and he is spouting army line on saeed, us and taliban. his rallies are attended by army supporters and taliban supporters. he is bad news for India.

 I have the highest regard for Mr. Khan, but I want to know, has Mr. Saeed been involved in any bomb blast in Pakistan? The Indian Govt. is sure, that Mr. Saeed is a terrorist. People who carry out bomb blasts in India, could they not do the same in Pakistan? There used to be unhappy incidents, for India and Pakistan, in Pakistan, happening every few days. There could be an unhappy misunderstanding all around, but why would the Indian Govt. say that Hafeez Saeed is responsible for bomb blasts in India, which have actually taken place? I assume there are other incidents, along with the Mumbai carnage, which he has been booked for.

On:
The Mumbai terror attack: He wants perpetrators to be brought to justice and he condemns the attack.
 

Hafiz Saeed: He says there is no evidence to indicate he is a terrorist.
 

Now, Imran is speaking from both sides of his mouth and every orifice in his body. He cannot ask for "dividends of peace" for India and Pakistan while maintaining the above hypocrisy and ducking around inconvenient truths because of the potential for trouble otherwise to his own campaign.
Get real, Imran. You cannot win your way into the Indian hearts (at least you gave the interview to sound off Indians about your views), by hiding behind such double dealings and deceit.
 

In interviews, such as this with foreign journalists and outside Pakistan,   Imran tries to make appropriate noises which sound reasonable and  palatable to the ears of Liberals. Whether he is indeed liberal is rather difficult to say. If he is so,  and is against Pakistan-originated terrorism and terrorists, he should have straightway condemned the main perpetrator of terrorist  activities in Mumbai. Instead,  he is wishy-washy. He sees the record of  charitable activities carried out by that Demon's  outfit and not the enormous destruction  his men caused in Mumbai.

Imran  wants to have the cake and eat it too. To be blunt,  Imran is a Hypocrite--nothing less. After all, he is a Pakistani politician craving for their votes and wanting to come to power..  How can he be truthful, reasonable and logical in sensitive matters related to india and Pakistan ?

 “A bowler who can ‘Lift The Seam’ to pick up an ’Extra Wicket’ cannot be taken on face value as he can always ‘Unstitch & Undo’ the very Net of the Nation to earn ‘Extra Credit’.”

 5/D-194

5.When he was the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, he made the umpires to report to him in the dressing room to take intructions from him before the start of the test matches in Pakistan grounds. Just to reveal the streak of dictatorial tendency he possesses in him.  

What is his view on secularism?

As he is concerned about the plight of Muslims in secular India, what is his view about the state of Hindus in the Islmaic Republic of Pakistan?

Does he see any contradiction between minority rights and an Islamic state?

The Qualities that distinguishes him from the other leaders are ..

1. He did not emphasize much on the trade. Trade should not be the only way to keep both the countries connected unlike these days where Zardari is on his toes for maximum trade

2. The answers from him seemed to be more of a serious diplomat rather than a fast bowler. 3. He has made his passage into the national mainstream with his potentials and popularity. His expressive, bold and confident behavior is exuberant to watch for.

4. His statement on relations with US was to observe for. It was an intelligent one and thus signifies his approach to the west.

The Qualities that distinguishes him from the other leaders are ..
1. He did not emphasize much on the trade. Trade should not be the only way to keep both the countries connected unlike these days where Zardari is on his toes for maximum trade
2. The answers from him seemed to be more of a serious diplomat rather than a fast bowler.
3. He has made his passage into the national mainstream with his potentials and popularity. His expressive, bold and confident behavior is exuberant to watch for.
4. His statement on relations with US was to observe for. It was an intelligent one and thus signifies his approach to the west.

 He is a dangerous guy. He is the one who had suggested India-Pakistan should settle their differences with a cricket match

India too has been hijacked and taken over by a selfish political and industrial elite. Most Indian political parties too are family run, have little or no internal democracy and have made huge amounts of  money. Yet India is a lot more successful, stable and prosperous than Pakistan. Imran Khan should be reminded of the fact that the over obsession with Jihad and Islam are the main reasons for the state of Pakistan today, and not a bunch of corrupt politicians.

 Is there is a single point, other than him abusing Zardari and Sharif, where he is different from the present Pakistan government. He wants good relations with India so does PPP government. He wants a stop to dron attack, so does the present government. He doesn't see Hafiz Sayeed as a terrorist so does the present government.

Are Pakistanis so foolish to elect this idiot who has no idea where the hell he is and what the hell he is going to do. The only difference between him and Zardari is that Zardari is a Shia, widower and corrupt while Imran is a Sunni, divorcee (to a Jew of course) and has no idea of governance. I pity Pakis.

From what I have come to understand Imran,he looks like a guy who panders Fundamentalist to get to Power.

Given Pak"s liason with Jehadi's Imran cannot go ahead without Talking for a Rabid Saeed.If he does make it,he is not going to be any different to his peers in Pakistan.

He was if at all liberal it was in his relationships with Women.Nothing else.Pak is hurtling towards anarchy and none can stop it.

While we  drive to bankruptcy.

From what I have come to understand Imran,he looks like a guy who panders Fundamentalist to get to Power.

Given Pak"s liason with Jehadi's Imran cannot go ahead without Talking for a Rabid Saeed.If he does make it,he is not going to be any different to his peers in Pakistan.

He was if at all liberal it was in his relationships with Women.Nothing else.Pak is hurtling towards anarchy and none can stop it.

While we  drive to bankruptcy.

 Is there is a single point, other than him abusing Zardari and Sharif, where he is different from the present Pakistan government. He wants good relations with India so does PPP government. He wants a stop to dron attack, so does the present government. He doesn't see Hafiz Sayeed as a terrorist so does the present government.

Are Pakistanis so foolish to elect this idiot who has no idea where the hell he is and what the hell he is going to do. The only difference between him and Zardari is that Zardari is a Shia, widower and corrupt while Imran is a Sunni, divorcee (to a Jew of course) and has no idea of governance. I pity Pakis.

India too has been hijacked and taken over by a selfish political and industrial elite. Most Indian political parties too are family run, have little or no internal democracy and have made huge amounts of  money. Yet India is a lot more successful, stable and prosperous than Pakistan. Imran Khan should be reminded of the fact that the over obsession with Jihad and Islam are the main reasons for the state of Pakistan today, and not a bunch of corrupt politicians.

 He is a dangerous guy. He is the one who had suggested India-Pakistan should settle their differences with a cricket match

The Qualities that distinguishes him from the other leaders are ..
1. He did not emphasize much on the trade. Trade should not be the only way to keep both the countries connected unlike these days where Zardari is on his toes for maximum trade
2. The answers from him seemed to be more of a serious diplomat rather than a fast bowler.
3. He has made his passage into the national mainstream with his potentials and popularity. His expressive, bold and confident behavior is exuberant to watch for.
4. His statement on relations with US was to observe for. It was an intelligent one and thus signifies his approach to the west.

The Qualities that distinguishes him from the other leaders are ..

1. He did not emphasize much on the trade. Trade should not be the only way to keep both the countries connected unlike these days where Zardari is on his toes for maximum trade

2. The answers from him seemed to be more of a serious diplomat rather than a fast bowler. 3. He has made his passage into the national mainstream with his potentials and popularity. His expressive, bold and confident behavior is exuberant to watch for.

4. His statement on relations with US was to observe for. It was an intelligent one and thus signifies his approach to the west.

What is his view on secularism?

As he is concerned about the plight of Muslims in secular India, what is his view about the state of Hindus in the Islmaic Republic of Pakistan?

Does he see any contradiction between minority rights and an Islamic state?

 5/D-194

5.When he was the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, he made the umpires to report to him in the dressing room to take intructions from him before the start of the test matches in Pakistan grounds. Just to reveal the streak of dictatorial tendency he possesses in him.  

 “A bowler who can ‘Lift The Seam’ to pick up an ’Extra Wicket’ cannot be taken on face value as he can always ‘Unstitch & Undo’ the very Net of the Nation to earn ‘Extra Credit’.”

In interviews, such as this with foreign journalists and outside Pakistan,   Imran tries to make appropriate noises which sound reasonable and  palatable to the ears of Liberals. Whether he is indeed liberal is rather difficult to say. If he is so,  and is against Pakistan-originated terrorism and terrorists, he should have straightway condemned the main perpetrator of terrorist  activities in Mumbai. Instead,  he is wishy-washy. He sees the record of  charitable activities carried out by that Demon's  outfit and not the enormous destruction  his men caused in Mumbai.

Imran  wants to have the cake and eat it too. To be blunt,  Imran is a Hypocrite--nothing less. After all, he is a Pakistani politician craving for their votes and wanting to come to power..  How can he be truthful, reasonable and logical in sensitive matters related to india and Pakistan ?

On:
The Mumbai terror attack: He wants perpetrators to be brought to justice and he condemns the attack.
 

Hafiz Saeed: He says there is no evidence to indicate he is a terrorist.
 

Now, Imran is speaking from both sides of his mouth and every orifice in his body. He cannot ask for "dividends of peace" for India and Pakistan while maintaining the above hypocrisy and ducking around inconvenient truths because of the potential for trouble otherwise to his own campaign.
Get real, Imran. You cannot win your way into the Indian hearts (at least you gave the interview to sound off Indians about your views), by hiding behind such double dealings and deceit.
 

 I have the highest regard for Mr. Khan, but I want to know, has Mr. Saeed been involved in any bomb blast in Pakistan? The Indian Govt. is sure, that Mr. Saeed is a terrorist. People who carry out bomb blasts in India, could they not do the same in Pakistan? There used to be unhappy incidents, for India and Pakistan, in Pakistan, happening every few days. There could be an unhappy misunderstanding all around, but why would the Indian Govt. say that Hafeez Saeed is responsible for bomb blasts in India, which have actually taken place? I assume there are other incidents, along with the Mumbai carnage, which he has been booked for.

Imran is pak army's stooge. pml's army faction is gravitating towards him and he is spouting army line on saeed, us and taliban. his rallies are attended by army supporters and taliban supporters. he is bad news for India.

 Imran says that Rahul Gandhi has run around the process only to compare and say that Benazir became sirectly the PM! RG ran around what? Let Imran know that RG too is aspiring to straight become the PM!

As a cricketer, he was one of the top class of his time; as a cricket commentator he analysis are based on his practical experiences and therefore interesting! But the way he answers one way to the foreign press and the other way to the local media, he does not inspire any confidence! He and his statements are like a knife that cut on both the sides! 

His lie to have never met with Salman Rusdie while he did meet with him further downgrades him in the esteem of the people! His political inexperience reveals itself when he takes his country's army in a lighter vein! 

 The comments on this forum are idiotic.  Did anyone bother to read the interview?  Imran condemned the Bombay attacks. He wants a welfare state with a complete freedom of religion. He also mentioned that the issue of militancy needs to be tackled but it has to be done tactfully. Declaring outright war on the militants is going to destroy the country. Who in India dares to take on fascists like Bal Thackeray or Narendra Modi. Problems in India and Pakistan and with each other do not exist in a vacum. There is a long and complicated history there and these issues need to solved now than to keep leaving them for future generations. I have been following the Indian media for a while now.  While the publications such as Outlook and Tehelka are excellent, the TV news channels leave much to be desired. Almost as bad as fox news which in my opinion makes the public poorly informed.

Yasser >> TV news channels leave much to be desired. Almost as bad as fox news

Watch Lok Sabha TV. Parts of it are good.

 Actually, I did read it and I was impressed.

Even if he was being 100% honest in his words, it is hard to say real-politik of Pakistan will let him do what he desires (just like same on Indian side). On the other hand, power has a way of corrupting people so it is also hard to say if he would sing a different tune once in power.

But, regardless of how he approaches relations with India, Pakistan is in dire need of new leadership that avoids the extremes (Turkish-style military imposed secularism or Zia-style again military-imposed fundamentalism). If he can create a space for true Pakistani democracy and find some room to breathe for people of Pakistan, he would have achieved a lot.

I sure hope with age and experience he has developed a world-view that he can comfortably stick to and if that is the view he is honestly expressing in this interview than Pakistan has something look forward to.