Page 53 - Tehelka Issue 15 August 2018

pakistan

• Nations’ relations Imran Khan had been a
big votary for improving relations between India
and Pakistan
is little else they can do. The army had
tried and tested the two parties for
long and wanted to back someone
who would remain under its pressure.
It remains to be seen whether Imran
Khan, with all his experience and inter-
national exposure, would over the time
try to push reforms and mend fences
with India. It is unlikely till the time he
finds his political feet.
However, the biggest takeaway for
India, as indeed it is for Pakistan, is
that the extremist elements have been
shown the door by Pakistani voters.
Just as in India there has been declin-
ing support for extremist elements in
various parts of the country, Pakistani
voters have rejected representatives of
such elements in no uncertain term.
Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz
ministerial candidate if the party had Imran’s win could Saeed, an internationally declared ter-
won the National Assembly elections. rorist, had put up about 265 candidates
The victory of Imran Khan and his be more favourable for the National Assembly and provin-
party may appear to be comparatively cial legislatures under the banner of
more favourable for India because of for India because of Allah-o-Akbar Tehrik (AAT). His son
his familiarity with India and Indians. his familiarity with and son-in-law were also among the
No other prime minister of Pakistan contestants. The party drew a blank
had visited or lived in India for such India and Indians. No which reflects lack of mass support
a long period as Imran Khan. As a other PM of Pakistan for such terrorist groups. The party
national cricket player and then as cap- was also backed by the army but the
tain of the national team he had been had lived in India for overwhelming public opinion against
frequenting India and has a wide circle such a long period as it should serve a lesson that ordinary
of friends and admirers. Even after his people abhor violence and want peace.
cricketing career, he had been visiting the ex-cricketer Imran Khan is aware that he can’t
the country an expert commentator. hope to survive for long without the
He had been a big votary for improv- help and support of the army and shall
ing relations between the two coun- India was not in the main focus of have to, therefore, undertake a delicate
tries and had been suggesting regular campaigning as had been the case in balancing act. It is for this reason that
cricket tournaments, on the lines of the past. All the three major parties in India cannot expect any major policy
Ashes Cup between England and Aus- the fray called for dialogue with India shift in the near future.
tralia, to strengthen the ties. and reiterated the demand for resolu- While Imran Khan needs time to
However, there was a distinctive tion of the Kashmir issue as per the UN settle down and needs to find his feet,
change in his stance towards India dur- Security Council resolutions. India cannot expect any major policy
ing the election campaign. He criticised The two main rivals of Pakistan shift as regards to its relations with
India and accused India of doing every- Tehreek-e-Insaf led by cricketer- Pakistan. Thus while there is a change
thing to weaken the Pakistan army. He turned-politician Imran Khan, the in government in the neighbouring
said Nawaz Sharif was also trying to do Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and country, there is no “regime change”
the same by admitting Pakistan’s role Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lead by and India would need to keep its fingers
in the Mumbai attack. He also went on Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, have alleged crossed over chances of improving
about of India-bashing which was not mass rigging and interference of the relations with it.
entirely unexpected. Army behind their defeat. They have
During the run up for the elections, ‘refused’ to accept the result but there letters@tehelka.com

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