Political reactions: Imran, a 'joker', 'full of hot air', or a 'real problem'?

Dawn.com Published August 17, 2014

After PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s call for a civil disobedience movement (with a two day deadline for the government to pack up or face consequences), a political frenzy burst forth on TV screens and social media.

Below is a summary of some of the top reactions by Pakistan's politicians.

What the PML-N thinks

Finance Minster Ishaq Dar:

“Imran Khan’s movement is unconstitutional…The country is making progress, he needs to reconsider his call for civil disobedience. This is a very serious matter.“

Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal:

“Pakistan is a constitutional country and cannot afford anarchy…This is an anarchist approach, it will be self-defeating. We are making a case for the enemies of Pakistan by talking about spreading chaos and anarchy.”

PML-N MNA Marvi Memon:

“There is absolutely no chance that Nawaz Sharif will resign as prime minister.”

Federal State Minister for Water & Power Abid Sher Ali:

“Political issues need to be resolved through dialogue… We will not let the people take an unlawful approach.”

Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed:

“Imran Khan’s sit-in is nothing more than a joke… There is no way that his civil-disobedience announcement can be implemented.”

PML-N leader Mushahidullah Khan:

"Such measures are normally seen in colonies but there is no concept of such tactics in a democratic country with a Constitution."

What other parties think

ANP leader Zahid Khan:

“Imran Khan was sounding extremely confused in his speech.”

ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan:

“I don’t think there is going to be any serious head-on collision between the two sides… The situation can only be resolved when both sides come to an agreement.”

Former interior minister Rehman Malik:

“All political parties want peace in the country…The PPP is ready to help resolve the situation. The government needs to look to Imran Khan’s demands and resolve the issue through talks.”

National Party leader Mir Hasil Bizenjo:

“Talks of civil disobedience movement is just hot-air, and if Imran Khan tries to enter the Red zone then anything can happen.”

PPP Senator Aitzaz Ahsan:

“Imran Khan has simply given a threat.”

What politicians on Twitter think

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baakhlaq

Aug 17, 2014 10:32pm

Over inflated balloon going to burst.

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lalai

Aug 17, 2014 10:39pm

Dear Khan sb, stop fighting with yourself. Things become easier when you become selfless. When you say NS is hiding behind constitution ,it means your demands cant be met constitutionaly. Just stop there and acknowledge you are wrong.

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Lucky Star

Aug 17, 2014 10:56pm

IK is nothing but nuisance!

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Sardar iftikhar

Aug 17, 2014 11:05pm

Imran has lost little common sense that he had. His demands are not implementable and has seriously dented his credibility as a potential candidate for premiership. Feel sorry that i voted for him.

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imtiaz

Aug 17, 2014 11:20pm

And the balloon burst, there was nothing in it but hot air.

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Riaz

Aug 17, 2014 11:22pm

Is Maryam Nawaz still carrying Nawaz as her last name or What about Capt. Safdar. Second I would love to follow NS and SS - but just answer one question why they need to go for artificial hairs ! are they still that young --- Wah if this is not Badhsahat then what is it. Mrs. Safdar ( if you are still !)

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Amir

Aug 17, 2014 11:27pm

The Govt of NS may be unconstitutional if they came into power as alleged by IK.

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Dystopia

Aug 17, 2014 11:48pm

Maryam Nawaz and Marvi Memon get on my nerves. I can't be the only one.

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Ghalib

Aug 18, 2014 12:35am

Govt should hold re-election on all the PTI won seats if they can retain even 50% of them it will be big achievement for PTI.

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yousuf ali

Aug 18, 2014 12:49am

Once again personal agendas and ambitions have taken precedence over country's interest. Never fails with Pakistani politicians who cannot wait their turn or understand their limitations.

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Patrick Henry

Aug 18, 2014 01:39am

"No taxation without representation" with rigged elections, this is the right slogan Tax money goes straight to the corrupt, so why should common pay for their london flats

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Shahpur

Aug 18, 2014 02:23am

I saw an Interview of Meraj Mohammad Khan with Najam Sethi. Meraj said, he told Imran Khan, when they departed, that he needs an Idealogy (NAZRIA) to lead people to a change. I think Meraj was correct. Imran may be sincere and wants to help the people but he has no NAZRIA. Problems are real but there is no leader. But it does not mean Nawaz Shariff is the solution.

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Sarfraz

Aug 18, 2014 02:27am

Once elections are held .The result must be honoured by all including the loosing parties as is done in western democracies

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Sarfraz

Aug 18, 2014 02:30am

If IK and Qadri were REAL they would be leading the Jalooses by walking in front of the jaslsas like Martin King luther and Mahatama Gandhi instead of sitting in boolet proof air conditioned limousines

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Prof. B. K. Singh

Aug 18, 2014 02:43am

Call for civil disobedience -Jinnah's countrymen becoming follower of Gandhi'? What an irony!

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Humdard

Aug 18, 2014 02:43am

This is expected from corrupt. They want to continue stealing public funds to build their empire

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Zainab

Aug 18, 2014 03:01am

@Riaz I am not a supporter of Nawaz Sharif. But I will not stoop so low as you have done. Personal attacks do not affect the person being attacked, but shows the total lack of intelligence of the attacker.

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Masood Haider

Aug 18, 2014 03:06am

PML-N government is deeply flawed and NS has learned absolutely nothing from his past mistakes but IK is an absolute disaster. His naked ambition has turned him into an anarchist. The country is still better off with NS and his family running the country than a short-sighted, arrogant, clueless and unwise leader like IK being at the helm of affairs

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Imti

Aug 18, 2014 03:19am

Seventy percent of Pakistanis are civil disobedient since 1947, they don't pay taxes or utility bills. So what is your point Khan Sahib

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Israr Khan Ismailzai

Aug 18, 2014 06:22am

They have made fun of him all his life, but remember one thing about Imran, HE NEVER QUITS.

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Abdullah

Aug 18, 2014 06:46am

He is the same person telling people to keep on talking to Taliban, if military actions fails imagine what will happen to Pakistan. With this type for farsightedness and approach he cannot do better than what he is doing now.

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Sam

Aug 18, 2014 06:58am

@Shahpur, Why Nation should not give Jamaat e Islami a Chance after trying every one else.

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Aik_Paki

Aug 18, 2014 07:28am

@Ghalib You are right with the same ECP and rigging :) :)

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Fahim Mirza

Aug 18, 2014 07:37am

@Sam The ruled in KP under Musharif. It was disaster. They only give good speeches but implemented nothing ever despite such an organize party.

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Ebrahim

Aug 18, 2014 07:44am

@Sam Why not Jamaat plus PTI? Others have disappointed in the past particularly the two friendly opposition.

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Salman

Aug 18, 2014 08:15am

If he is such a joke and such a pathetic person as all these (corrupt) politicians are saying, then why are they worried? They know that he has a large, perhaps the largest following as he is the only sincere one among them all! Lets see what they say if he is successful. :-))

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Freeman

Aug 18, 2014 08:39am

@Riaz Q: "Is Maryam Nawaz still carrying Nawaz as her last name or What about Capt. Safdar" A: Its a power/benefit game. Carrying Nawaz's name a more benificial. Tomorrow you may see "Capt. Safdar Nawaz Sharif" Q: "Why they (NS and SS) need to go for artificial hairs A: Its matter of personality gap. They feel more confidence with having hair on their heads. Unfortunately, they could not have that after being 3 terms in premier positions then why why not to give hair transplant a try? Q: "if this is not Badhsahat then what is it?" A: Did these brothers ever clarify that they are not kings and not trying to be? So they know they are badshah and we know they are badshah who has a doubt then? Its mere constitutional requirement that they are calling PM and CM. For your convenience you can call them: "king nawaz sharif", "crown prince shahbaz sharif", prince mariam prince hamza, prince... prince...etc. and name of the country as "Sharifi Pakistan" just as "Saudi" Arabia or simply "Sharifistan"

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naseem

Aug 18, 2014 04:20pm

@Amir : So you think there was no rigging in KP? How naive

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Naveed Javed

Aug 18, 2014 04:27pm

Best one from Sir Hussain Haqqani.

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Muhammad Khan

Aug 18, 2014 04:28pm

@Freeman I would appreciate the way you criticised the Sharif Family. One thing I dont understand that why people have reservations regarding their style of governance which is being called as 'Badshahat'. This term has been coined by the political opponents of the PLMN and yet has not been supported by any PLMN party member. I believe this pertains to the party operational affair and should be left on their discretion how they run it. As a Pakistani national, i should better be concerned about what they would be able to deliver for the betterment of the national socio-economic plight and welfare of the masses. Running the Govt or party in Badshah style should not be the discussion of the general masses rather be a matter of concern for the party members. Are you planning to associate yourself with PMLN as member???

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Naveed Javed

Aug 18, 2014 04:29pm

It's funny how Marvi Memon, once an apple of eye of a Dictator, defends PMLN and Democracy.

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oBSERVER

Aug 18, 2014 05:22pm

Any or all the persons in the pictures above could be termed as Jokers.

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Shah, Canada

Aug 18, 2014 08:00pm

Corrupt to the brink are giving names... to others. Looks like People of Pakistan are happy with corruption and rigged mandate.

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Mashal

Aug 18, 2014 11:12pm

Somebody needs a sanity pill

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Karim G

Aug 18, 2014 11:37pm

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer

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khan

Aug 19, 2014 05:35am

Imran is the only credible leader who can lead country out of the mess.

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sheer

Aug 19, 2014 11:33am

@Naveed Javed Contrary to IK she does not support a militant agenda and cry for technocrats. You view a military coup as wished for by IK/TuQ to be democratic?

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