'Are we invading Russia in winter?' — politicians, media react to PM's statement on U-turns
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Prime Minister Imran Khan was quoted on Friday by various media outlets as having made somewhat interesting remarks about his shift in stance on major issues.
The prime minister had convened a meeting with a few journalists and columnists at the PM House in Islamabad. As the conversation reportedly turned towards him changing stances, popularly referred to as "U-turns" by the media and politicians, the premier sought to set the record straight.
Geo News reported the PM as having said that "a leader who does not take 'U-turns' according to the requirements of the situation is not a real leader."
Furthermore, the prime minister was quoted as having made historical references to Napoleon and Hitler. Express Tribune quoted the premier as saying: "If Adolf Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte had taken U-turns, they would not have suffered such heavy losses."
Commenting on the development, Islamabad Bureau Chief for Dunya News Khawar Ghumman expressed amazement that while "almost all TV channels are discussing PM's statement on U-turns, none has any media person who was actually present in the meeting".
So even though it is not clear who the participants of the meeting were, the statements drew varied reactions from political figures and journalists alike.
According to Geo News, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah while criticising the statements during his own meeting with journalists in Sukkur, said: “Imran Khan is Hitler and is taking U-turns to avoid losses.”
Shah reportedly also remarked: “No Hitler, who was also a dictator, has ever been successful in history.”
Meanwhile, PML-N stalwart Khawaja Asif took the premier to task on Twitter: "Are you [planning on] invading Russia that you are recalling Hitler and Napolean? Do not look for justifications in the pages of history for your hypocrisy and opportunistic behaviour."
Journalist Zarrar Khuhro also questioned the historical reference, tweeting: "Are we invading Russia in the winter?"
Columnist Nadeem Farooq Paracha, in his signature tongue-in-cheek style, termed the PM's statements "fair enough" whilst also remarking: "I have a feeling the PM will take a U-turn on this statement as well. A U-turn on a statement about U-turns. That would be classic IK."
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Comments (85) Closed
Nov 16, 2018 11:29pm
His most hilarious U-turn was on CPEC. First he barricaded the way of Chinese President in 2014 and delayed the inauguration of CPEC by at least a year. Then he went to China on his earliest opportunity to request the same President for more favors on CPEC.
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Nov 16, 2018 11:32pm
If IK has understood the meaning and importance of U-Turn in politics, it means that IK is in process of being transformed a real politician.
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Nov 16, 2018 11:48pm
Is taking U- turns a sign of great leader? I think not! It only exposes a person as ill informed and making irrelevant claims. Running a country is not a piece of cake. Unfortunately non of the recent govts have performed in the people’s interest.
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Nov 16, 2018 11:52pm
A very average IQ man trying to portray his errors and cover ups with u-turns as a statesman like behavior. But I liked the NFP comment.Epic.
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Nov 16, 2018 11:57pm
Haters gonna hate... Imran khan is a LEADER!
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Nov 17, 2018 12:05am
Well said IK
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Nov 17, 2018 12:06am
Politics means U-Turns. Look at Nawaz Sharifs U-Turns on Qatari letter and National Assembly speech.
If we try to gather all the U-Turns from Nawaz and Bilawal you will be surprised to see they surpass Imran Khan.
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Nov 17, 2018 12:15am
U-Turn means flexiblity and changing decisions according to situations , so a leader should have the quality of taking u-turn means deciding in the best intrest of the country once its required.
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Nov 17, 2018 12:31am
What a relevant discussion by both media and politicians. People need to take their professions more seriously and really think if their work/statements are adding any value in a positive/constructive way.
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Nov 17, 2018 12:33am
The bigger question is that should our leaders be referring to past leaders who had millions of people killed and destroyed almost half of the world!
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Nov 17, 2018 12:52am
We should be proud that in human history - this man is introducing new concepts - thank you Imran
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Nov 17, 2018 12:54am
Not a bad idea if he can get Pakistan on track ,, we allowed him for all sort of u, v or z turns ,,but if he failed ,,?
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Nov 17, 2018 12:58am
“A leader who does not take U-turns as per the requirements of the situation is not a real leader,” claimed Imran Khan in response to much repeated ‘U-turn’ allegations hurled his way.
I’m my opinion, this statement/line will go down in history books as one of the best, ever!
This emphasizes the importance of situational leadership as and when required!
Well played Imran!
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Nov 17, 2018 12:59am
People's minds are changed through observation and not through argument.
Will Rogers
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Nov 17, 2018 01:37am
Pakistan is lucky he is not following through on all his ideas.
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Nov 17, 2018 01:59am
The fact is that those who are not ready to adapt to changing circumstances usually end up with a big loss. No he is not invading Russia or is a Hitler but a pragmatic leader who adjusts his work tenure and ways to suit the situation that produces the best results for Pakistan. Unlike Mr. Asif of PML-N and Mr. Shah of PPP who love exaggerate to make political points and sound stupid at the end of what they say.
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Nov 17, 2018 02:30am
PTI completely exposed
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Nov 17, 2018 02:58am
Nadeem, what a comeback,. no one can give such a repartee except you. Love you man.
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Nov 17, 2018 03:15am
If Imran Khan does not change his decision according to someone's request, he is called stubborn. If he changes his decision according to changing circumstances, they call it a U-turn. What should be done - he should make his decisions according to his best judgement, and not pay any attention to his opponents.
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Nov 17, 2018 03:41am
At the dead end of road a u turn is requred. Taking a uturn before that is advisible.
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Nov 17, 2018 03:42am
Best leader! Respect MR PM . You are allowed to take any amount of Uturns if its is country benefit
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Nov 17, 2018 03:48am
PM Imran Khan transformed into politician, no big deal. In broader interest of national interest and peace. a bitter tablet of U- turn is OK. But plz don’t be addict of U- turns.
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Nov 17, 2018 04:13am
Biggest U turn in the history was taken by NS as he have disowned qatari letter
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Nov 17, 2018 04:13am
PM Imran khan zindabad
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Nov 17, 2018 04:20am
Vision and goal has to remain clear and consistent. Strategy can be flexible to achiev the vision and goal. Don’t run behind rabbits but keep eyes on the prize!
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Nov 17, 2018 04:35am
The mighty Ronald Reagan took u-turns. So what's the big deal...instead of making fun of someone utterance, we should get down to some serious business of nation-building.
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Nov 17, 2018 04:36am
Admitting you are wrong and making a U turn is no bad thing.
The problem for IK is he never admits mistakes, and actually reneges on principles rather than mistakes.
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Nov 17, 2018 04:46am
U-turns mean bowing down to mullahs. He is no leader
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Nov 17, 2018 04:56am
Well said IK. A leader is one who sacrifices his ego for the betterment of his countrymen.
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Nov 17, 2018 05:32am
@Bilal Khan, yes bilal tayyab bhai
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Nov 17, 2018 05:40am
I don’t own Qatari “ is neither a lie nor a u-turn. Surrey palace is not mine is neither a lie nor u- turn above all no corruption. These cronies can’t mislead the nation anymore
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Nov 17, 2018 05:44am
Excellent points PM Khan. Indeed had the two mighty conquerors, Napoleon and Hitler, been less stubborn and more wise the World would be a very different place today. One must learn from history or succumb to repeating it.
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Nov 17, 2018 06:03am
Imran Khan is right as a leader what ever is good for country and it’s people decisions are based on that which mean sometimes u turn. PPP is just trying to diverts the issue. If ppp had taken the u turn in corruption Pakistan would have been in better position. Don’t you make a u turn while driving to go to right place.
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Nov 17, 2018 06:57am
Completely dissapointed for having voted for Mr. U-Turn. If we had seen this coming, we would have selected some one else for this job. And please don't get confused with flexibility. A leader is someone who foresees the future with his wisdom. While a manager assess the situation and changes his course of action.
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Nov 17, 2018 07:01am
PM statement was not for Pakistani media and politicians he was talking to intelligent and honest citizens of Pakistan. Corrupt mafia will never comprehend wise words.
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Nov 17, 2018 07:02am
@Iqbal , In an emergency OK, but on a normal cruise the Driver has to ask the paying Passengers.
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Nov 17, 2018 07:17am
U turns are usually done at a tactical level and not at a strategy and vision level...Thats the difference here...strategies are turned upside down.
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Nov 17, 2018 07:19am
Politics is the art of possible and U turn is most important requirement....ask Sirisena .Only difference being... whether it is benefitting the self or nation.
No,I do not think. ..Imran Khan will take a U turn on his U turn statement.
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Nov 17, 2018 07:58am
When circumstances change your response must also .
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Nov 17, 2018 08:14am
Imran khan zindabad, good answer.
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Nov 17, 2018 08:19am
U-turns can be a sign of flexibility and adoptability. Rigidity is ego and dictatorial. Being open to ideas and suggestions is a positive thing not negative.
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Nov 17, 2018 08:35am
@Nadeem, Yes, Nadeem ...This is a million lives question..
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Nov 17, 2018 08:41am
No u turn on sending corrupt to the gulags is acceptable. All other u turns are welcome.
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Nov 17, 2018 09:34am
Real leaders dont talk much but work more so they dont have to take too many U turns. Also, a leader who cannot organize and manage his own words, how he can manage a nation in choas! It would be ibteresting to listen to his justifications after four years feom now !
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Nov 17, 2018 09:36am
I do not think IK has said a very wrong thing. Its as simple as changing a treatment if a patient is not responding to the treatment being done currently. Ultimately, the recovery of the Pakistan economy should be important to its citizens, and for that decisions may have to be changed or revoked. IK deserves support at this stage, not criticism.
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Nov 17, 2018 09:50am
He makes it almost like taking frequent U-turns is a sign of a true leader!
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Nov 17, 2018 09:54am
Now, how are those U-turns justified? Is taking a U-turn as he did in the case of that economic advisor justified? Don't try to hide behind general and vague statements.
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Nov 17, 2018 10:49am
iK you beauty.. Loved your statements, On Target!!!
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Nov 17, 2018 11:16am
@Ahmed, lahore, Very rightly said
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Nov 17, 2018 12:32pm
We all learn from our mistakes. Our media has got nothing to criticise so they come up with petty things.
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Nov 17, 2018 12:35pm
Nawaz sharif took a u turn yesterday about Qatari letters.
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Nov 17, 2018 01:12pm
In next election public will take a U.turn
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Nov 17, 2018 02:14pm
Well, in other words IK is referrig to “Situational Leadership”, which is scientifically proven theory. The leader changes “hat” based on each situation.
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Nov 17, 2018 03:30pm
NFP put it best - a statement making a U-turn on his statement on U-turn would be classic !
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Nov 17, 2018 03:45pm
There will always be a question "which U is the final U"?
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Nov 17, 2018 03:47pm
U turns in statements or strategies?
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Nov 17, 2018 03:56pm
Every one is criticising Ik which proves that he is capable person. value him
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Nov 17, 2018 05:07pm
What is he taking U turn on?
If he is taking u turn on fixing his relationship with Modi so that both countries can move on, it would be a welcome move.
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Nov 17, 2018 05:10pm
He has taken some really good u rurns that have helped he country come out the financial mess left by PPP and PML-N
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Nov 17, 2018 07:08pm
It is true what IK said,,, its time to think about Pakistan rather than these super powers!
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Nov 17, 2018 07:31pm
There is an old saying: talk little and talk sense. Imran Khan should commit this to memory and forget about the failed rulers of the past.
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Nov 17, 2018 07:36pm
Frequent U-turns reflect poor knowledge of the subject at the first stage of making statement and correcting oneself later by taking embarassing U-turn on the advise of expert once faced with reality.
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Nov 17, 2018 07:36pm
If PM Khan’s U-TURN can change the social culture of Pakistan for the better,&change it’s society to a clean&clear of corruption;U-TURN is acceptable.
In Pakistan it’s present situation can only change,the day corrupt politicians are sent home after pure&true accountability is implemented. And all such corruption&corrupt leaders be rooted out from Pakistani political system at the grassroots level.
It has been more that 3 years few well known&publicly advertised&tried cases have yet to reach it’s final conclusive stages.
I understand such cases take time&evidence’s are required to get to final conclusions.I am sure these U-TURN’s will eventually bring some fruitful results for betterment of Pakistan and Pakistani social structure.
Pakistani’s must change at each&every household level in order to change the entire Pakistani Political, Socio-Economic system.The corruption lies at the very grassroots levels where each individual accepts this fact as a right of survival of the fittest.
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Nov 17, 2018 08:29pm
If IK keeps this up he will become King of U-Turns.
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Nov 17, 2018 08:44pm
Responsiveness of the rulers to public sentiment is a good thing. Governments should not take decisions in their committee rooms, they should make decisions for the people on their demands and a true leader should take cognizance of the public sentiments. It never happened in Pakistan so people see it as a fault, they had either military dictators or rulers who served their own interests. In modern democracies, public outcry bring changes in laws, changes in the existing laws and government decisions are changed all the time. This is a process through which a system emerge in which people's opinion will get incorporated, for example public hearing prior to decision making, or public scrutiny of appointed officials. Those are the procedures evolved to avoid U turns, but the key is responsive decision making, not how.
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Nov 17, 2018 08:59pm
First 100 days: 100+100+100+100 is= 100
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Nov 17, 2018 09:10pm
too many U turns means you are going about in circles!
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Nov 17, 2018 09:11pm
Khawaja asif should be worrying about the mid night knock on his door by FIA anti corruption cell.
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Nov 17, 2018 09:20pm
It is better to take a U turn than to be foolishly consistent. However, when to take a U turn and when to be consistent depends upon a given context.
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Nov 18, 2018 06:24am
This validates that it is better to admit to a mistake and rectify it rather than resorting to a cover up
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Nov 18, 2018 06:47am
The age old maxim says "To err is human" and a corollary adds "but to persist in error is devilish." Once in a while one might have to face up to facts, accept the error of one's judgment, and take a U-turn or a deviation in policy and tactics to cut down one's losses. But having to make too many or frequent U-turns definitely indicates lack of ability to make the correct decisions in the first place. Imran might be sincere, but he is a novice at this game, and lacks the grace and finesse required for the job of PM. He is a shoot from the hip kind of guy both in his actions and words, the type very aptly described as "A loose canon." A statesman should think hard and long before making his policy decisions taking in to consideration all the pros and cons so he does not have to make U.turns. Equally important he should be thoughtful and measured in what he says so his words do not come back to haunt him. i hope Imran is listening. I think like a new cricket back he needs some seasoning.
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Nov 18, 2018 07:35am
@F Khan, do you have a high IQ?
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Nov 18, 2018 08:46am
Well said IK;All kind of human beings have to step back at some moments in their life
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Nov 18, 2018 09:48am
@ NFP:
u turn on u turn means your are going ahead towards your goal. so it should be ag good thing.
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Nov 18, 2018 03:38pm
@enam, As you said sometime not everytime.
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Nov 18, 2018 06:32pm
People respect those who stand by their words. No one takes those seriously who constantly keep changing their stand.
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Nov 18, 2018 07:47pm
PTI is rightfully in Government. Chosen by middle class in 2013 and 2018. IK doesn't need to justify his Policy Adjustments.
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Nov 18, 2018 08:47pm
@M.Saeed,
Had a pro-India Nawaz stayed in office, I think the Chinese would have taken a U-Turn on CPEC.
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Nov 18, 2018 10:51pm
New politicians always have to make u-turn everywhere, as in the past they have made comments without understanding and played into the gallery. After they get responsible positions they start understanding reality and speak on a realistic manner which is look like an u-turn. The U-turn is better than repeating incorrectly and justify on what was said in the past.
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Nov 19, 2018 01:26am
He's learnt to be a politician. Good for him and I guess for Pakistan as well. No straight-forward will be able to stand in front of the bigotry of politics. But now he needs to grow two eyes on the back of his head or he'll not survive!
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Nov 19, 2018 04:28am
The PM took so many U turns in past, Nothing new for him.... It is IK philosophy new and latest according to world new requirements.
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Nov 19, 2018 06:09am
@Nadeem, History is for our use of past actions, events to assess the present and face the future.
Some times U-turns arise from wiser 2nd thoughts.
But, it is wiser to consider consequences of our acts first---before acting--and thus, avoid u-turns!
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Nov 19, 2018 08:27am
What's the difference between lies and u turn?
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Nov 19, 2018 08:43am
The anchors that are discussing u turn, are trying to create negative narrative, because they are paid by pmln and PPP! These anchors have exposed themselves ,they have put honest jouralism over building personal wealth!
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Nov 19, 2018 02:56pm
Seriously, where were all these commentators when the previous governments were robbing the country into the now famous debt trap?
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