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LAHORE: The extremist groups not ready to come to the negotiations table would be facing Imran Khan in a gunfight if one goes by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman's statement given at a party function here on Sunday.
"If the Taliban groups not in favour of talks continue their terror hits to derail the peace process, they'll find me armed standing by the armed forces," he told the maiden meeting of the PTI Punjab Council here.
Reiterating his opposition to army operation in North Waziristan, he said it would badly hurt 700,000 innocent tribesmen, expressing fear that the victims would also take up arms and become Taliban.
Mr Khan denied the impression that the statement in support of the operation had been given to keep the PTI's popularity intact. "I'm not after vote bank rather I take decisions by my conscience."
He said the PTI was the first to promote dialogue with the Taliban and the ceasefire announced by the Taliban vindicated the party's stance that dialogue should be the first option.
The party never asked that those who wanted any lenience for those who wanted to rule the country at gunpoint but it did propose to isolate those who wanted to talk from those who didn't, he said.
"I'd be ready to counter those who would dare to implement Islam at gunpoint," Mr Khan said.
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Mar 03, 2014 08:00am
Lol. Standing by the military facing Taliban or standing behind the military facing Taliban. This man is pure jokes. It would have been nicer if he was only funny.
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Mar 03, 2014 08:54am
A joker is found in every pack.
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Mar 03, 2014 09:04am
IK gained some respect after this statement....too late though... this should have been his stance from day one...
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Mar 03, 2014 10:25am
IK is the only mainstream political leader who has remained consistent in his policy statements on this issue (dialogue first, operation second). Everyone else seems to change their stance all the time. Khurshid Shah (PPP parliamentary leader) now says (yet again) that they're in favor of dialogue if Taliban have announced a ceasefire. Really? A day ago he and PPP's God-gifted chairman Bilawal Zardari were labelled pro-dialogue people as cowards and demanding nothing short of a military operation.
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Mar 03, 2014 10:25am
People Only Listen what they want to listen...
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Mar 03, 2014 10:26am
"Reiterating his opposition to army operation in North Waziristan, he said it would badly hurt 700,000 innocent tribesmen, expressing fear that the victims would also take up arms and become Taliban."
What about those of us who have been hurt by the taliban? Should we pick up arms? It is strange how polticians play politics, not caring about the victims and only giving the impression that no one cares. If this continues, God knows how many victims will be forced to pick up arms.
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Mar 03, 2014 10:28am
Imran Khan, the empty vessel who makes whatever noise he thinks will get him to power. The blood of Pakistanis murdered by the Taliban over the years as he played their propagandist is on his hands.
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Mar 03, 2014 10:59am
islam they have nothing to do with Islam avoid using this term for them jihalat ka nizam ho sukta ha Islam nahi
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Mar 03, 2014 11:27am
From defender to Gunfight, from one extreme to the other
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Mar 03, 2014 11:52am
@Observer:
It was his stance since day one, but somehow I think he did not articulate it well enough or the media circus made what it what it is today.
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Mar 03, 2014 12:24pm
@A z khan:
You should stop blindly submitting to your god and religion. Your submission strengthens the hard liners and the mullahs.
The militants have everything to do with Islam. Whether you like it or not. They are one of your brethrens who have gone bad. Come on.... own it up.
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Mar 03, 2014 12:46pm
@Observer:
Too little....too late !!!
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Mar 03, 2014 02:20pm
For the first time I ever supported a political party was Mr. Khan's. His stance on Taliban issue has been disappointing to me too. I agreed his critics most of the times but now I feel that whatever he says his critics are doing it just for the sake of criticism. On certain issues, like Malala, Salman Taseer, and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, his stance has been admirable. He is the only politician who openly and explicitly criticized Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and supported Hazara people. Yes his viewpoint on Taliban has been blurred but now when he is speaking all out against the extremists, he is termed as a joke??
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Mar 03, 2014 02:21pm
I dont know why I ever voted for him
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Mar 03, 2014 06:27pm
Vindication? Just a week ago the TTP were refusing to call a ceasefire . Its only after they faced the wrath of the PAF did they finally agree to a ceasefire.
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Mar 03, 2014 06:30pm
He should have invested in efforts in building more hospitals in the country and stuck to cricket commentary.....
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Mar 03, 2014 06:32pm
I am really worried about him
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Mar 03, 2014 06:44pm
Enough of Imran said this, Imran said that. - Look back, what did Zardari & his cohorts do in last five years to thwart terrorism ? Let us pay attention to Nawaz Sharif, & see what he does. Imran is a minor player in this game. Major players are Sharif brothers & Choudhry Nisar Ali.
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Mar 03, 2014 07:15pm
@zahid:
Kindly read his recent joke oh statement please which is also availble on these pages
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Mar 03, 2014 07:40pm
Imran saab there is saying in Urdu and my father reminded every day "Lathon ki booth Baathon se nahi manthi"
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Mar 03, 2014 07:52pm
Suicide bombings and ruthless killings of innocent individuals are on the rise in Pakistan.
For us, the country is more important than democracy. We should loyal to the country always. We should loyal to the democratic government when it deserves it. Without Peace democratic government is meaningless.
Taliban
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Mar 03, 2014 08:29pm
He is only wise Leader in Pak. I am ashamed we elect Sharif family for Pakistan and Zardari family.
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Mar 03, 2014 08:52pm
Imran Khan is old coffee now. He has completed his mission and has no more relevance. All along he was trying to save army casualties! Not any longer, the moths always go to the burning glow. First the artillery, now helicopters and the fighter planes, in time they will learn that nothing can save them from the vengence of the Talibans.
Rex Minor
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Mar 03, 2014 10:10pm
WOW!!! AND "THE BLOW HARD" CONTINUES ON. Imran Khan said he makes all his decisions based on his conscience not on votes. He probably does not understand that "Brain Deads" can NOT have a conscience. For any one to have a conscience they have to have brains to logically and truthfully use it.
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Mar 03, 2014 10:19pm
I always thought that this man was substandard but now I really feel sorry for this guy. Probably it is not his fault. He has some form of mental disease and as a result he cannot comprehend the reality and everything is an illusion. Therefore, his stance on the same issue differs due to his mental status on a particular day. I hope by grace of God one day he will recover.
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Mar 03, 2014 11:16pm
@muzammil ullah khan:
You are not alone
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Mar 03, 2014 11:19pm
@G.Nabi:
Brother, people don't have any hope from the Sharifs and Zardari. There is a reason we complain and scuritinize IK so much, because this man actually made us dream of change. Seeing him talk like this and talk about vindication, when he knows his party didn't do crap, it was the PAF that forced the TPP to ceasefire. And what vindication is he really talking about? "Dialogue should be the first option" Really? He must not have read the headlines this morning.
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Mar 03, 2014 11:50pm
@muzammil ullah khan: Because he is the only one not corrupt!!
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Mar 04, 2014 01:45am
What a genius!! Really regret voting for this Genius!
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Mar 04, 2014 02:07am
He is been saying this all along. Its just that the thick headed didn't and will never get it. Nothing new !
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Mar 04, 2014 02:11am
So now that the courts have been attacked in Islamabad, Mr. Khan is about to pick up a weapon? No??
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Mar 04, 2014 02:13am
@zahid:
So Now that the Islamabad courts have been attacked, Mr. Khan is about to pick up the weapon?? I feel sorry for Him. I really do.
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Mar 04, 2014 02:15am
@A z khan:
Islam has nothing to do with Islam?? What on earth are you talking about??
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Mar 04, 2014 05:39am
@ahmed:
Really? Last 5 years? Thanks for clarifying that he has been running the government since 2008.
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Mar 04, 2014 10:25pm
he should think trice before making a political statement.
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Mar 05, 2014 04:39am
So, as long as they come to the negotiation table, they are safe. They can later go and continue with their terrorist acts and Mr. Khan would be satisfied because they were present at the negotiation table? However, those who don't show up will face a gunfight with Mr. Khan! WOW! What a man! Doesn't he know that none of these so-called "negotiations" have helped at all. Sick minds will continue to be sick minds. They will never change and the only way to negotiate with them is to eliminate them or drive them out of our country. Let our new generation grow up to be civilized, tolerant and caring people - not extremists who have no conscience. Mr. Khan, you need to change your thinking - the path you are following will not only hurt you, but all those who are following you.
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