By Asha’ar Rehman
BORN-again Muslims are not good enough for Islamists. The sorry drama enacted on the Punjab University campus in Lahore on Nov 14 should solve the mystery for those emerging from the sidelines to claim the command of a team of motivated students in whose selection and training they have played no part.
Imran Khan came to the campus in the face of ‘stay-away’ warnings from Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba. He was pushed and shoved and insulted and thrown to the keepers not long after. Did the Jamaat-i-Islami leadership know what was about to happen or was it a personal initiative of their student wing to assail the idol? While the first possibility is highly unlikely in the case of ‘the most organised political force in the country’, in either case it is as dangerous an occurrence for the Jamaat as it is for Imran Khan and his Justice Party. For the Jamaat is nothing without its ‘likeminded’ allies.
Before the brutal toss on the campus that landed Imran Khan in jail on Nov 14, he had done plenty in the last 15 years to be labelled as an enigma. For the pro-democracy purists, his biggest folly was his decision to join General Pervez Musharraf. Those, who boast of knowing the only way to the seat of power in Islamabad, say his real mistake was that he left the general too soon. For the apolitical the mere fact that he acted against their counsel to form a political party some ten years ago was an unpardonable act.
Those who believed that the honest and the straight-talking should come forward to rescue Pakistan from the clutches of the corrupt, the incompetent and the insincere were happy to see him take the political plunge. Many among them were soon disillusioned by Imran’s sheer ability to lose those who gave his party a progressive look and indeed the appearance of a party rather than a one-man reform squad.
Hamid Khan, who is in the vanguard of the fight for an independent judiciary today, was not so long ago an active member of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf as was Dr Pervez Hasan, an internationally known lawyer of standing. There were many other ‘new faces’ by his side, such as journalist and analyst Nasim Zahra for a brief period making rounds of newspaper offices in Lahore as an Imran lieutenant before, like Hamid Khan and Dr Pervez Hasan, she also turned away from a struggle from the Tehreek’s platform.
The progressive dialogue Imran Khan had engaged himself in came to a halt as he made post haste to the Right. To the surprise of his early supporters who strained to see in him an alternative to the tried and sullied political leadership of the country, even as he sported this new image of his, the cricketing icon would still be known as a liberal face in Pakistani politics, not only anti-America, but liberal, with a special attraction for youth and the domestic and international media. That was an anomaly as big as an ‘alien who neither studied at the Punjab University nor taught there’ leading the student activists who owe their allegiance to the Jamaat-i-Islami.
Sadly, it was written in Imran’s fate. A couple of days before he was scheduled to make his appearance at the Punjab University, hoping to court arrest amidst thousands of cheering students, the Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba had warned him against the adventure. They had actually done the cricketing hero a great a favour by allowing him the benefit of a forewarning.
Only three months ago the organised Islamists cadres had watched in silence as their ally and benefactor, Nawaz Sharif, suffered the ultimate ignominy a politician could ever face: returning home to a cold reception. Now it was the turn of another natural ally to experience the exemplary Jamaat discipline. Even after all the reverses that the all-rounder has undergone in the last decade and a half it hurts to see a rare hero being humiliated like Imran was on the Punjab University campus on Wednesday.
Despite his political leanings, Imran of late was on course to restoring to himself the old aura, that of a guerrilla commander who relied heavily on springing surprises to make an impact. His ambushes during his playing days are part of Pakistani folklore. He excelled in catching his opponents napping by sending out a soldier – the Abdul Qadirs and the Salim Yousufs -- up the order for rapid-fire action, saving his key men – the Miandads et al -- for a later onslaught. He would opt to bowl when every expert in the game would be advising him to bat. The gamble often paid and it was a crucial element of his captaincy.
He does not have the same kind of men at his command now and maybe not the same luck with the coin but he did show the spark of the past in managing to keep the policemen at bay for almost two weeks. The way he was trapped in the end is perhaps a sign for him that he is far better off returning to his old uncompromising ways. Who knows he might end up rallying groups of students to his cause. The secret, as always, lies in selecting and nurturing them on their own.
Dawn 16/Nov/07
Showing posts with label Imran Khan Arrest During Emergency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Imran Khan Arrest During Emergency. Show all posts
Friday, November 16, 2007
Membership of 17 IJT activists suspended
LAHORE, Nov 15: The Islami Jamiat Tulaba, Pakistan, investigation committee on Thursday suspended membership of its 17 workers on charges of manhandling PTI chief Imran Khan and media people on the Punjab University New Campus on Wednesday.
After reviewing the manhandling episode, the IJT committee released its initial report and decided to take punitive action against all other persons who manhandled Khan. The committee will present its detailed investigation report to the IJT central shoora.
The 17 IJT members, whose membership has been suspended, are; Institute of Education and Research’s Ziaur Rehman, Zeeshan Khurram, Farooq Ahmad and Rizwan Aslam; Hailey College’s Faisal Javed, Muhammad Aziz, Mustafa, Shakeel, Kashif Shah, Nadeem Ahmad and Khurram Khan; Law College’s Junaid Ali and Khizar Hayat; Geology’s Shamsul Zaman; Physics’ Kaleem; Institute of Chemistry’s Asghar Ali and Centre for High Energy Physics’ Imran.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that IJT’s central shoora held its meeting and reportedly asked IJT Nazim-i-Aala Nasrullah Goraya and PU IJT Nazim Muhammad Ayub to resign while accepting their fault in mishandling Khan’s visit to the New Campus. —Staff Reporter
Dawn 16/Nov/07
After reviewing the manhandling episode, the IJT committee released its initial report and decided to take punitive action against all other persons who manhandled Khan. The committee will present its detailed investigation report to the IJT central shoora.
The 17 IJT members, whose membership has been suspended, are; Institute of Education and Research’s Ziaur Rehman, Zeeshan Khurram, Farooq Ahmad and Rizwan Aslam; Hailey College’s Faisal Javed, Muhammad Aziz, Mustafa, Shakeel, Kashif Shah, Nadeem Ahmad and Khurram Khan; Law College’s Junaid Ali and Khizar Hayat; Geology’s Shamsul Zaman; Physics’ Kaleem; Institute of Chemistry’s Asghar Ali and Centre for High Energy Physics’ Imran.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that IJT’s central shoora held its meeting and reportedly asked IJT Nazim-i-Aala Nasrullah Goraya and PU IJT Nazim Muhammad Ayub to resign while accepting their fault in mishandling Khan’s visit to the New Campus. —Staff Reporter
Dawn 16/Nov/07
PTI thrashed again _ this time by police
By Our Staff Reporter
LAHORE, Nov 15: Some 35 Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) workers were arrested on Thursday while staging a peaceful protest demonstration in Barkat Market, Garden Town.
Those arrested included 20 female workers, including three sisters and four cousins of PTI Chief Imran Khan. Later, police released 20 party women.
A heavy contingent of police was present at Barkat Market before the arrival of protesters. When party workers arrived there in cars at around 3:45pm, policemen pounced on them soon they raised the first slogan and displayed the first placard under the leadership of PTI Lahore President Shabbir Sial. Though Mr Sial and PTI Coordinator Ahmad Nasir courted arrest, police baton-charged and thrashed other protesters, who tried to resist arrest.
Police thrashed a boy, tore apart his shirt and vest and bundled him into a police van.
Talat Naqvi, PTI office-bearer who tried to come to the young lad’s rescue, later on condemned police highhandedness. She told reporters the PTI workers had come out to save national heroes Imran Khan and Abdul Qadeer Khan. “We want justice,” she demanded.
Ms Naqvi was herself later arrested along with 19 other women after the authorities dispatched a contingent of policewomen to the spot. In the interim, policemen encircled the female protesters so that they could not escape.
Some women workers were dragged, and plainclothesmen did eventually throw off the mask of decency to push them inside the bus. The arrested women included Aleema Khan, Rani, Uzma, Saloni Bukhari and Salma Ejaz Chaudhry.
Later, 20 party women, who were detained by the police were released, a capital city police official said.
He said seven PTI activists, who were also arrested at the demonstration, would be booked and cases would be registered against them in Garden Town police station.
Dawn 16/Nov/07
LAHORE, Nov 15: Some 35 Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) workers were arrested on Thursday while staging a peaceful protest demonstration in Barkat Market, Garden Town.
Those arrested included 20 female workers, including three sisters and four cousins of PTI Chief Imran Khan. Later, police released 20 party women.
A heavy contingent of police was present at Barkat Market before the arrival of protesters. When party workers arrived there in cars at around 3:45pm, policemen pounced on them soon they raised the first slogan and displayed the first placard under the leadership of PTI Lahore President Shabbir Sial. Though Mr Sial and PTI Coordinator Ahmad Nasir courted arrest, police baton-charged and thrashed other protesters, who tried to resist arrest.
Police thrashed a boy, tore apart his shirt and vest and bundled him into a police van.
Talat Naqvi, PTI office-bearer who tried to come to the young lad’s rescue, later on condemned police highhandedness. She told reporters the PTI workers had come out to save national heroes Imran Khan and Abdul Qadeer Khan. “We want justice,” she demanded.
Ms Naqvi was herself later arrested along with 19 other women after the authorities dispatched a contingent of policewomen to the spot. In the interim, policemen encircled the female protesters so that they could not escape.
Some women workers were dragged, and plainclothesmen did eventually throw off the mask of decency to push them inside the bus. The arrested women included Aleema Khan, Rani, Uzma, Saloni Bukhari and Salma Ejaz Chaudhry.
Later, 20 party women, who were detained by the police were released, a capital city police official said.
He said seven PTI activists, who were also arrested at the demonstration, would be booked and cases would be registered against them in Garden Town police station.
Dawn 16/Nov/07
Imran shifted to Dera jail
LAHORE, Nov 15: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf chairman Imran Khan was driven to the Dera Ghazi Khan jail from Kot Lakhpat jail on Thursday.
“He is being shifted to D G Khan possibly for a month,” a police official told Dawn.
Imran Khan was arrested by the police from the Punjab University New Campus on Wednesday after he failed to lead a students’ rally and a case was registered against him by the Muslim Town police under different sections of PPC, 16 MPO and 7-ATA. —Staff Reporter
Dawn 16/Nov/07
“He is being shifted to D G Khan possibly for a month,” a police official told Dawn.
Imran Khan was arrested by the police from the Punjab University New Campus on Wednesday after he failed to lead a students’ rally and a case was registered against him by the Muslim Town police under different sections of PPC, 16 MPO and 7-ATA. —Staff Reporter
Dawn 16/Nov/07
Students rise for Imran, against IJT Unprecedented campus march
By Mansoor Malik
LAHORE, Nov 15: A large number of Punjab University students on Thursday held a protest demonstration against Islami Jamiat Tulaba (IJT) for its manhandling of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf Chief Imran Khan.
The event was unprecedented in the history of campuses in Punjab, which have been under the Jamiat’s rule for decades.
Some 3,000 students, including girls, chanted slogans against IJT for over two-and-a-half hours. They started off from the University Law College and marched to all academic departments on the New Campus of the Punjab University as well as through hostel areas. They also held a massive demonstration in front of the vice-chancellor’s office.
The protesters included a number of students who resigned from the IJT following its action against Imran Khan on Wednesday on the university campus. The students were carrying placards bearing slogans: “We, PU Law College students, resign en mass from IJT membership” and “Go Jamiat Go”. They also tore down Jamiat’s posters pasted on walls in the university.
The students chanted “Imran terey jaanisar - Beshumaar beshumaar”, “Prime Minister of Pakistan - Imran Khan, Imran Khan”.
Some students told Dawn that IJT leaders had threatened them with dire consequences for taking part in the anti-Jamiat demonstration.
The protest march began at 11:30am, and on the way, groups of students belonging to various departments joined in. University teachers were also heard condemning Wednesday’s incident and supported the protesters on the campus.
“This is unprecedented. Thousands of students have united against IJT and compelled them (the IJT activists) to run away from the university,” a teacher said.
Some of the marchers tried to damage Jamiat’s office at the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology (ICET), an IJT stronghold. They were, however, prevented from doing so by their fellow protesters who pleaded for a peaceful demonstration.
In fiery speeches made during the protest, the students lambasted those involved in Imran Khan’s manhandling. Law College’s Rai Kashif said he had resigned from IJT membership along with many other law college students and all of them were now protesting as Imran Khan’s jiyalas. He said on Wednesday a large number of students had turned up to join Imran Khan in his protest, but the Jamiat activists disrupted the meeting and facilitated Imran’s arrest after a clash with his supporters. He said the Jamiat had thus cheated and degraded the students.
Speaking to the protesters in front of the VC’s office, Rao Samiullah said the students had stood up and would not allow the Jamiat activists to continue their ‘gundaism’ on the campus.
Talking to Dawn, two girl students said they had become sick of IJT activists, “who were harassing students on the campus”. Rizwan, another student, said whosoever was working for the restoration of constitution would be welcomed in the university. “We support lifting of emergency and Imran Khan is a leader of progressive and modern Pakistan,” he said.
The protesting leaders announced another demonstration on the law college ground at 9am on Friday (today).
Meanwhile, PTI’s Lahore President Ahsan Shabbir visited the university and told students that Imran Khan was alright and he was thankful to the students, who were protesting in his favour on the university campus. He also invited the students to join the PTI protest in Barkat Market later in the afternoon.
Talking to Dawn, PU Registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan said Thursday’s protest was a proof that the university was alive and that all shades of opinion were represented here. He said the university administration understood the students’ anger, calling the protest civil society’s response to Imran Khan’s manhandling
Dawn 16/Nov/07
LAHORE, Nov 15: A large number of Punjab University students on Thursday held a protest demonstration against Islami Jamiat Tulaba (IJT) for its manhandling of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf Chief Imran Khan.
The event was unprecedented in the history of campuses in Punjab, which have been under the Jamiat’s rule for decades.
Some 3,000 students, including girls, chanted slogans against IJT for over two-and-a-half hours. They started off from the University Law College and marched to all academic departments on the New Campus of the Punjab University as well as through hostel areas. They also held a massive demonstration in front of the vice-chancellor’s office.
The protesters included a number of students who resigned from the IJT following its action against Imran Khan on Wednesday on the university campus. The students were carrying placards bearing slogans: “We, PU Law College students, resign en mass from IJT membership” and “Go Jamiat Go”. They also tore down Jamiat’s posters pasted on walls in the university.
The students chanted “Imran terey jaanisar - Beshumaar beshumaar”, “Prime Minister of Pakistan - Imran Khan, Imran Khan”.
Some students told Dawn that IJT leaders had threatened them with dire consequences for taking part in the anti-Jamiat demonstration.
The protest march began at 11:30am, and on the way, groups of students belonging to various departments joined in. University teachers were also heard condemning Wednesday’s incident and supported the protesters on the campus.
“This is unprecedented. Thousands of students have united against IJT and compelled them (the IJT activists) to run away from the university,” a teacher said.
Some of the marchers tried to damage Jamiat’s office at the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology (ICET), an IJT stronghold. They were, however, prevented from doing so by their fellow protesters who pleaded for a peaceful demonstration.
In fiery speeches made during the protest, the students lambasted those involved in Imran Khan’s manhandling. Law College’s Rai Kashif said he had resigned from IJT membership along with many other law college students and all of them were now protesting as Imran Khan’s jiyalas. He said on Wednesday a large number of students had turned up to join Imran Khan in his protest, but the Jamiat activists disrupted the meeting and facilitated Imran’s arrest after a clash with his supporters. He said the Jamiat had thus cheated and degraded the students.
Speaking to the protesters in front of the VC’s office, Rao Samiullah said the students had stood up and would not allow the Jamiat activists to continue their ‘gundaism’ on the campus.
Talking to Dawn, two girl students said they had become sick of IJT activists, “who were harassing students on the campus”. Rizwan, another student, said whosoever was working for the restoration of constitution would be welcomed in the university. “We support lifting of emergency and Imran Khan is a leader of progressive and modern Pakistan,” he said.
The protesting leaders announced another demonstration on the law college ground at 9am on Friday (today).
Meanwhile, PTI’s Lahore President Ahsan Shabbir visited the university and told students that Imran Khan was alright and he was thankful to the students, who were protesting in his favour on the university campus. He also invited the students to join the PTI protest in Barkat Market later in the afternoon.
Talking to Dawn, PU Registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan said Thursday’s protest was a proof that the university was alive and that all shades of opinion were represented here. He said the university administration understood the students’ anger, calling the protest civil society’s response to Imran Khan’s manhandling
Dawn 16/Nov/07
Jemima starts ‘Free Pakistan Movement’
By Our Special Correspondent
LONDON, Nov 15: Jemima Khan, former wife of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf chairman Imran Khan, on Thursday launched what is styled as ‘Free Pakistan Movement’ (FPM) with the active support of journalists, students, lawyers, doctors, other professionals, civil society workers, businesspersons and prominent political persons of Pakistani origin living in the UK.
The FPM has chalked out an elaborate programme of daily events in London as well as in other parts of the UK to mobilise public opinion in Britain in general and among 100,000 or so people of Pakistani origin living here in particular against what the FPM termed as Gen Pervez Musharraf’s second martial law.
The FPM has finalised plans to hold a big protest rally in front of the Pakistan High Commission.
A group of students, lawyers and journalists which was working under the name of Campaign against Martial Law in Pakistan (CAMLP) has joined the FPM.
The UK branch of Therik-i-Insaaf will be a component of the FPM.
Meanwhile, a report in the Independent on Thursday said that Imran Khan was arrested on Wednesday, less than 48 hours after sending a desperate text message to his solicitor in London saying that he feared for his life.
The report said Imran was charged under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act, which includes penalties that can carry the death sentence or life imprisonment.
Dawn 16/Nov/07
LONDON, Nov 15: Jemima Khan, former wife of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf chairman Imran Khan, on Thursday launched what is styled as ‘Free Pakistan Movement’ (FPM) with the active support of journalists, students, lawyers, doctors, other professionals, civil society workers, businesspersons and prominent political persons of Pakistani origin living in the UK.
The FPM has chalked out an elaborate programme of daily events in London as well as in other parts of the UK to mobilise public opinion in Britain in general and among 100,000 or so people of Pakistani origin living here in particular against what the FPM termed as Gen Pervez Musharraf’s second martial law.
The FPM has finalised plans to hold a big protest rally in front of the Pakistan High Commission.
A group of students, lawyers and journalists which was working under the name of Campaign against Martial Law in Pakistan (CAMLP) has joined the FPM.
The UK branch of Therik-i-Insaaf will be a component of the FPM.
Meanwhile, a report in the Independent on Thursday said that Imran Khan was arrested on Wednesday, less than 48 hours after sending a desperate text message to his solicitor in London saying that he feared for his life.
The report said Imran was charged under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act, which includes penalties that can carry the death sentence or life imprisonment.
Dawn 16/Nov/07
APDM asks JI to stay away from protest
By Our Correspondent
SWABI, Nov 15: The Awami National Party, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf which are in the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) on Thursday asked Jamaat-i-Islami to stay away from their protest to be held here on Friday.
Condemning the Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba, the student wing of Jamaat-i-Islami, for helping police arrest Imran Khan, PTI provincial vice-president Asad Qaisar told Dawn that opposition parties would not hold a protest demonstration with the Jamaat-i-Islami whose student wing had tried to sabotage the anti-government movement.
He said the PTI leader’s arrest was a conspiracy which had harmed the APDM.
He said that all APDM parties, minus Jamaat-i-Islami, would continue their struggle for the restoration of the Constitution, lifting of emergency, independence of judiciary and unity of opposition against the government.
He said the ANP and PML-N were aware of the fact that a conspiracy had been hatched to create differences among APDM parties.
He said the leaders of the two parties had been informed about demonstration and the PTI’s decision.
“They supported our point of view and agreed to keep Jamaat-i-Islami out of the protest.”
Meanwhile, The Swabi Union of Journalist and Abaseen Union of Journalists held a protest camp here against curbs on the media. The protesters condemned the arrest of journalists.
Leaders of various political parties visited the camp and expressed solidarity with journalists.
Dawn 16/Nov/07
SWABI, Nov 15: The Awami National Party, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf which are in the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) on Thursday asked Jamaat-i-Islami to stay away from their protest to be held here on Friday.
Condemning the Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba, the student wing of Jamaat-i-Islami, for helping police arrest Imran Khan, PTI provincial vice-president Asad Qaisar told Dawn that opposition parties would not hold a protest demonstration with the Jamaat-i-Islami whose student wing had tried to sabotage the anti-government movement.
He said the PTI leader’s arrest was a conspiracy which had harmed the APDM.
He said that all APDM parties, minus Jamaat-i-Islami, would continue their struggle for the restoration of the Constitution, lifting of emergency, independence of judiciary and unity of opposition against the government.
He said the ANP and PML-N were aware of the fact that a conspiracy had been hatched to create differences among APDM parties.
He said the leaders of the two parties had been informed about demonstration and the PTI’s decision.
“They supported our point of view and agreed to keep Jamaat-i-Islami out of the protest.”
Meanwhile, The Swabi Union of Journalist and Abaseen Union of Journalists held a protest camp here against curbs on the media. The protesters condemned the arrest of journalists.
Leaders of various political parties visited the camp and expressed solidarity with journalists.
Dawn 16/Nov/07
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