‘I want Pakistan to smoke the pipe of democracy’

M Kumar Lahore

Ever since floating his own political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) in 1996, Pakistani cricket legend-turned-politician, Imran Khan, has come a long way. His cricketing stardom has not fetched electoral success, but he continues to remain one of the most closely watched political voices emerging out of Pakistan. Hardnews caught up with Imran Khan at the hospital he built, the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, in Lahore on January 15, 2008. Excerpts:

You are known for your staunch opposition to Pervez Musharraf. But your bitter protests have failed to dislodge him. Where has the political programme of your party failed?

It's not a matter of political miscarriage so far as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is concerned. We have remained loyal to our 'doctrine of necessity' which is the unanimous voice of the people of Pakistan. This democratic doctrine demands an unflinching wave of protest against military rule. PTI continues to rub shoulders with all the deposed judges, including Iftikhar Chaudhary. I did everything in my power to convince slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and Maulana Fazlur Rahman not to aid Musharraf by contesting this sham parliamentary elections. It's true that they have their own reason to fight elections under protest. But why should I betray the aspirations of my country's heroes? The lawyers inspired a mass movement against the undemocratic and unconstitutional presidency. It is time we rise above petty considerations to arrest the tide of degradation. I am not the one to show white feathers. My battle is bearing fruit, as thousands of bright, young faces across the length and breadth of Pakistan are joining my street campaigns against the February 18 elections.

Benazir Bhutto fell to the same forces she vowed to take on. The White House continues to pledge unstinting support to Musharraf. Do you see him consolidating his power despite all odds?

No way. Musharraf knows that he is on his last legs. I have been pretty simple on this. The longer he is around, the more opportunities he will have to deceive himself and his countrymen. The ghost of Mohtarma Bhutto will keep the White House in a shroud of confusion as to what went wrong. Despite political differences, she was my good friend since Oxford days. I feel bad over the assassination of a courageous political friend, but I blame her stupidity which blinded her to the danger flickering in her face. Conspiracy theories are doing the round, but it only benefits those who derive authority from the policy of mass deception. It's not good being wise among fools and sane among lunatics. This holds true for everyone in the game of power.

You are a globe-trotting politician. Does the rest of the world feel alarmed over the state of affairs in Pakistan?

Look at the mass response on US streets. American people don't approve of President Bush's war on terror in which Musharraf has sacrificed over one thousand valiant Pakistani soldiers. Pakistani mothers have lost their beloved children in a fight against their own citizens. More of our soldiers are being killed in a blinding warfare than by Al Qaeda and pro-Taliban elements. There is a virtual war that Islamabad is fighting to keep the American government happy. The White House continues to turn a blind eye to the misguided campaign. No wonder, rest of the world is alarmed. People all over the world, especially in Washington, London and Paris, are concerned and they are going to watch the February 18 elections with alarm. Even the people of Pakistan believe that Musharraf is trying to transform his prevailing weakness into power.