'Blinded in Power'

Today, the notion of being 'blinded in power' showed its true colors when the transmission of Geo TV was banned all across Pakistan. It is disheartening to see that a promising man by the name of General Pervez Musharraf, who took over the reigns of power on October 12, 1999, could allow such an act to take place in the 21st century. The promising man informed the nation, at that point in time, that he had to take this action because insanity had prevailed amongst the rulers of the country. His assessment of the situation of the pre-October 12 scenario was so reasonable that most of the Pakistani population stood behind him with full support. And there is no doubt, at least in my mind, that it was the right decision at that point in time. But nearly 8 years ahead, we stand at a similar crossroad again shocked to believe that the same promising man can let all this to occur. The same promising man dismissed the CJ of the country based on the similar insane people of the past who gave an ill advise. The same promising man allowed May 12 to occur. And, the same promising man who promised a free media allowed the blocking of a major news channel in Pakistan.

At the end of it all, one person has emerged as a genuine leader of the people; Imran Khan. The leader whose interview was telecasted moments after the banning of Geo TV all across Pakistan. He may not have the backing of the influential feudal system in Pakistan. He may not have arrangements with different leaders of constituencies in the rural areas. Neither would he know how to make a crowd gather in hundreds of thousands at his call. But, one thing which is crystal clear about this man is his determination. This was evident when the interviewer, Iftikhar Ahmed, raised a question about Sita White's daughter being brought back to Pakistan on June 10 by people who believe in mud-slinging rather than political strategies. That moment may have been the turning point for many people who were watching the show. Why would anyone try to bring a political figure to disrepute by raising concern about someone's personal life? Why would anyone attack a person's weakness to gain political mileage? The answer is simple; to dishearten the very few genuine people of Pakistan. Imran Khan is one of them without any doubt.

When Imran Khan entered politics, he may have had an idea about the allegations which are levelled against an opposition leader. But, when personal allegations are brought forward then it takes more than courage to stand up to your cause. He may have felt the weakest at that moment of the interview. But, he recovered only to be more resolved to do what he has promised to his workers; justice with equality. It is really disheartening to see leaders attacking their opposition in such a way. But, it only further strengthens the resolve to support what is right. For this action of Imran Khan, his respect in the eyes of the people goes to another level. A level which was never imagined until it was realized. For decades, people have avoided the difficult path in politics. But, seeing the determination of this leader it allows us to think about the reality. We have a leader here, who has given up so much to create an equality amongst the people of Pakistan. His statements in the interview were something which were never so openly heard in the media. For this he would easily qualify as the most genuine person in our country.

The nation silently hopes through their prayers and wishes that the man who has stood up against a leader, who was considered to be invincible, will be able to achieve his goals. No one can say with assurity about who will win the case at the courts of Britian. But, it may be true that the case may have already been won in the hearts of the people of Pakistan. More significantly, the people of Karachi who have witnessed the bloodshed over the last decade. We also hope that the promising man, who was mentioned at the beginning of this article, works a way out to once again win the support of the people of Pakistan.