THE RIGHT` TIME FOR REVOLUTION!

Pakistan has always been portrayed as a Iailed nation, thanks to the media. It has Iocused too narrowly
on the negative side rather than the achievements and attractions oI our country. All this has been done to
blacken the reputation oI our country. Pakistan oIIers a lot more than what is on the news. I do understand
the importance oI highlighting the negative side oI the country in order to bring revolution. But it needs to
be balanced with the positive otherwise people only associate the country with trouble. I`ll try to highlight
the recent positive developments in our country. Yes, you guessed it right. I`ll talk about the changing
political scenario oI the country. This Iorum was created to help groom and enrich our perspectives
through discussion. And I`ll try my best to use this platIorm eIIectively and talk about the idea oI
revolution` in our country.
Imran Khan predicts revolution in Pakistani politics. Pakistan Tehreek-e-InsaaI (PTI) leader, implied that
a national uprising like Egypt and Tunisia can also happen in Pakistan. The recent rally held in Lahore
signals a political shiIt in Pakistan. It is quite obvious that PTI will sweep the next elections.
Ayaz Amir, a parliamentarian Irom rival Nawaz ShariI`s party who was present at the rally is reported to
have said that, "This is the emergence oI a new Iorce. The cry Ior change is resonating across Pakistan.
Young, old, proIessionals, women I've never seen such people at a public meeting in Pakistan beIore."
Earlier, Imran Khan was not seriously taken as a politician. He wasn`t even considered a major threat to
the existing political system. However his historic public meeting at Lahore has shaken and stunned his
rivals, where he successIully managed to show the public power and support Ior his party. Tens oI
thousands oI people showed up. A well charged and educated crowd was seen; especially the modern
class comprising a huge number oI women and students. Even American news media gave prominent
coverage oI the rally. The leading Pakistani pop singers, Shahzad Roy and Strings showed support. They
joined PTI`s rally and sung revolutionary and patriotic songs. All this was strong enough to streamline
PTI in main politics oI Pakistan.
He started his speech by saying that people oI Lahore are slow to wake up but when they do, they cannot
be stopped. In his speech, he presented a clear-cut agenda Ior change. He asked the rulers to declare their
assets (which was necessary Ior a transparent government) and threatened a civil disobedience movement
iI they reIused to do so. In short he said that PTI would end corruption, improve tax collection, pursue an
independent Ioreign policy, bring Baluchistan into the mainstream national politics, end the war on terror
and protect rights oI minorities and women. Some shocking Iacts were presented in his speech. He
inIormed the massive crowd that Pakistan lost Rs.3, 000 billion each year in tax corruption. And iI it
could be tapped, we wouldn`t have to rely on Ioreign aid anymore. He Iurther added that the country was
rich in resources; it had over 180 billion tons oI coal reserves. In Ioreign politics Imran Khan asked India
to withdraw Iorces Irom Kashmir, and the American to stop drone attacks on Pakistan. He concluded his
speech by warning the corrupt ruling elite by saying that 'change is not only imminent but already under
way and the corrupt will not Iind a place now to hide.
urrently, Tehreek-e-InsaI, has no seats in the Parliament. But Imran Khan`s popularity has increased
recently as the public has grown disillusioned with other parties. The growing support and turnout has
stunned many Pakistani analysts who believe that his struggle will prove successIul. But there are some
political intellects and experts who consider it as an illusion and think oI PTI as a weak political party
which cannot have an impact on electoral results. They say that drawing a big crowd in Lahore would not
necessarily translate into electoral success. Only time will tell who`s right and who`s wrong. The public
has shown their desire Ior change and this will be reIlected in the results oI the upcoming elections.