News Analysis |
Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI),started his two-day visit in Sindh on April 5, 2018, challenging Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari at a rally in Nawabshah.
In a short speech before thousands of supporters, Khan stated that Asif Ali Zardari will meet the fate of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and that PTI will gain a number of seats from Sindh.
While speaking of PPP Co-Chairman and the ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Khan said, “one [Sharif] is wandering [in Punjab] asking ‘mujhe kiyoon nikala [why was I ousted]. Soon Zardari you will also start questioning ‘mujhe kiyoon nikala aur kiyoon phir se jail main dala’ [why was I ousted and imprisoned once again].”
Imran Khan has indeed opened a two-front political campaign. Unlike military strategy which would not favor such a move, this political strategy will only enhance Khan’s vote bank in the 2018 Elections.
Khan in his typical style launched a tirade against Asif Zardari and called him an illness which has made Sindh and its people suffer endlessly.He also called Sharif an illness for the people of Punjab.
“I will be among the people of Sindh for 48 hours. I will show you how I challenge both the frauds in Punjab and Sindh”, said Khan while addressing the charged crowd in Nawabshah.
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Imran Khan continued his bashing and stated that both Zardari and Nawaz are responsible for the plight of people of Pakistan and that after coming to power, he will hold them accountable for their sins. “The people [in Sindh] know well about who owns sugar mills,” Khan said, implying Zardari’s reported ownership of the mills.
Drawing a parallel between Zardari and MNA Capt (retd) Safdar Hussain, the PTI’s chief taunted that Zardari is the same for the Bhutto family as Hussain is for the Sharif family. “But, by the way, Sharifs have no comparison with [Zulfikar Ali] Bhutto.” Several other senior PTI leaders also addressed the Jalsa and promised that if PTI comes to power, it will change the fate of people of Sindh.
In a short speech before thousands of supporters, Khan stated that Asif Ali Zardari will meet the fate of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and that PTI will gain a number of seats from Sindh.
Is Imran Fighting a two-front War?
Analysts believe that Imran Khan by bashing both Asif Ali Zaradri & Nawaz Sharif at the same time has actually created problems for himself. Since there is an ample chance that both Nawaz and Zardari might join hands to fight a common enemy in the form of Imran. Cooperation between the PPP and PML-N cannot be ruled out since both have found common ground in the past.
Moreover, political pundits have stated that by adopting anti-Zardari rhetoric, Imran Khan might make it difficult for himself to form a coalition government with PPP in case no single party is able to attain majority in the next general elections.
Khan in his typical style launched a tirade against Asif Zardari and called him an illness which has made Sindh and its people suffer endlessly.He also called Sharif an illness for the people of Punjab.
However, PTI supporters and party workers support Imran Khan’s independent posture since any alliance with PPP in future would mean compromising on party’s principles which have enabled PTI to attain massive public support.
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Imran Khan by adopting anti status-quo rhetoric has taken a right decision. Elections are around the corner and any sign of Khan coordinating with PPP will benefit the beleaguered ruling party which is under pressure since the ouster of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Imran Khan has indeed opened a two-front political campaign. Unlike military strategy which would not favor such a move, this political strategy will only enhance Khan’s vote bank in the 2018 Elections.