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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...1-7-2013_pg7_7
By Iqbal Khattak
PESHAWAR: A nationalist leader has said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s victory in May 11 elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may have been a setback to people politicking in the name of nationalism, an indirect reference to the drubbing Awami National Party experienced after ruling the province for the last five years.
“PTI victory is no setback to nationalist politics in the province. If at all, it is a setback to those politicking in the name of nationalism,” Pashtun nationalist and leader of Mazdoor Kissan Party, Kamil Bangash, told Daily Times in an interview.
Imran Khan’s PTI emerged as the single largest party in KP mainly denting the ANP hopes for returning to the assembly with same strength to continue its rule over the province where militancy-linked violence caused colossal losses.
“Of course, PTI managed to give hope to the Pashtuns that had lost hope in their own future and that of Pakistan, as witnessed by the huge turnout in the elections in KP. That can be interpreted either way by interested parties,” Kamil, son of late Afzal Bangash who launched the Mazdoor Kissan Party to fight feudalism in the province, went on to add.
The nationalist politician has also warned that the ultimate outcome “depends upon what PTI is able to achieve during the little time that it has on its hands. If it fails in most of what it has promised, especially the law and order situation, then the so-called nationalists may return with a vengeance along, of course, with the mullahs.”
Kamil argued the future of nationalists’ was in the hands of PTI. “If the PTI is able to deliver on some of its promises, the future of the ‘nationalists’ will be bleak,” asserted Kamil. “If the PTI fails as well, which looks more probable than success, and if there are elections, we will see a hung parliament. If there are no elections, we will see absolute chaos. People will have their choices, but I am certain there won’t be a huge turnout.”
Stiff opposition to the PTI, interestingly, comes from both the liberals and rightwing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) and Kamil Bangash was not surprised.
“The so-called liberals are going to make sure that they oppose the incumbent provincial government at all levels, which means that the provincial government should expect stiff opposition from the bureaucracy, nationalists and liberals to all steps perceived to be curtailing their perceived liberties,” he held the view.
The nationalist leader appeared concerned about the society turning to extremes “in all aspects.” Kamil said: “Even ‘liberals’ are now extremists, and they see everything in black and white.
Since the liberals take the Islamists as their sworn enemies, ones that want to trample over any and all freedoms that they may think they have, IK offering prayers on stage was a complete no-no for them.”
“Of course, the liberals think they are justified in hating the PTI and IK, all the more since IK uses Islamic anecdotes and history to justify his stance,” Kamil Bangash gave reasons why the liberals rolled up sleeves to give stiff opposition to the PTI government in KP.
“I think they should allow him (IK) at least one chance before delivering a final verdict. After all, it is the substance and not the phraseology that actually matters,” he said while advising the liberals.
By Iqbal Khattak
PESHAWAR: A nationalist leader has said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s victory in May 11 elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may have been a setback to people politicking in the name of nationalism, an indirect reference to the drubbing Awami National Party experienced after ruling the province for the last five years.
“PTI victory is no setback to nationalist politics in the province. If at all, it is a setback to those politicking in the name of nationalism,” Pashtun nationalist and leader of Mazdoor Kissan Party, Kamil Bangash, told Daily Times in an interview.
Imran Khan’s PTI emerged as the single largest party in KP mainly denting the ANP hopes for returning to the assembly with same strength to continue its rule over the province where militancy-linked violence caused colossal losses.
“Of course, PTI managed to give hope to the Pashtuns that had lost hope in their own future and that of Pakistan, as witnessed by the huge turnout in the elections in KP. That can be interpreted either way by interested parties,” Kamil, son of late Afzal Bangash who launched the Mazdoor Kissan Party to fight feudalism in the province, went on to add.
The nationalist politician has also warned that the ultimate outcome “depends upon what PTI is able to achieve during the little time that it has on its hands. If it fails in most of what it has promised, especially the law and order situation, then the so-called nationalists may return with a vengeance along, of course, with the mullahs.”
Kamil argued the future of nationalists’ was in the hands of PTI. “If the PTI is able to deliver on some of its promises, the future of the ‘nationalists’ will be bleak,” asserted Kamil. “If the PTI fails as well, which looks more probable than success, and if there are elections, we will see a hung parliament. If there are no elections, we will see absolute chaos. People will have their choices, but I am certain there won’t be a huge turnout.”
Stiff opposition to the PTI, interestingly, comes from both the liberals and rightwing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) and Kamil Bangash was not surprised.
“The so-called liberals are going to make sure that they oppose the incumbent provincial government at all levels, which means that the provincial government should expect stiff opposition from the bureaucracy, nationalists and liberals to all steps perceived to be curtailing their perceived liberties,” he held the view.
The nationalist leader appeared concerned about the society turning to extremes “in all aspects.” Kamil said: “Even ‘liberals’ are now extremists, and they see everything in black and white.
Since the liberals take the Islamists as their sworn enemies, ones that want to trample over any and all freedoms that they may think they have, IK offering prayers on stage was a complete no-no for them.”
“Of course, the liberals think they are justified in hating the PTI and IK, all the more since IK uses Islamic anecdotes and history to justify his stance,” Kamil Bangash gave reasons why the liberals rolled up sleeves to give stiff opposition to the PTI government in KP.
“I think they should allow him (IK) at least one chance before delivering a final verdict. After all, it is the substance and not the phraseology that actually matters,” he said while advising the liberals.
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