Pakistan's emerging frontrunner in the next elections, Imran Khan, has displayed in a remarkable first, his consummate skill as a rising statesman as well as politician. His recent visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party is highly unusual for a man who has not been in government since his party was founded in 1996. Previous Pakistani leaders were invited to China only after they had been elected Prime Minister so it is clear that Chinese leadership recognizes Imran Khan as a future leader of Pakistan.
The meeting in Beijing on October 25th, 2011, was an opportunity for in-depth discussions on increasing trade relations between the two countries and to discuss cooperative ventures in sectors such as energy, telecommunications, infrastructure and port development. China's trade with Pakistan grew to nearly $9 billion in 2010 and Pakistan is now China's second-largest trade partner in South Asia.
Imran Khan is wise to build on bilateral ties between China and Pakistan as China is so obviously the giant in that part of the world, needing new markets for Chinese goods and in return seeking to strengthen a relationship with a newly internationally focused Pakistan. As Dr. Henry Kissinger stated November 2 in Washington, Pakistan needs to find a national identity that is not based on fear of India and the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan will give its neighbors, Iran and Pakistan, a new incentive to establish their influence in the region.
Imran Khan's stated policy towards America has been misinterpreted by his political opponents, as he is clear that he wants to remain a friend of America, but not at the expense of Pakistan's sovereignty. There is general distrust about U.S. strategies in the region and Vali Nasr, professor at Tufts and former member of Richard Holbrooke's team, speaking at the same event as Dr. Kissinger, said that both countries are planning for a post-U.S. scenario.
China as a powerful friend, ally and trading partner would give important weight to Pakistan's international relations, and Khan is to be congratulated for his diplomatic finesse in creating a newly forged friendship with China and at the same time it seems, a new and hopeful direction for Pakistan's troubled economy.
Dr Azeem Ibrahim is a Fellow and Member of the Board of Directors at the Institute of Social Policy and Understanding and a former Research Scholar at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and World Fellow at Yale.
More writings here: www.azeemibrahim.com
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British love Imran.
now Pakistanis have come around too.
After reading his book "Pakistan" one can see his vision laid out clearly. He wishes to see a Peaceful world. No cowboy here but he is a hero by all definitions of the term.
As a Pakistani I'm hopeful. With this man behind the wheels, he can turn not only Pakistan, but Asia around. Indians rest assured. This man is not a threat and neither is Pakistan.
The big question for Indians is "Can we stand a stable, peaceful and powerful neighbour - Pakistan?"
Now ,Imran need to be consistant in his foriegn policy and domestic policies. He need to have freindly relation with all countries of the world but should draw an economic diplomatic relation with China, Russia, Iran and India. We all know that no one can eliminate poverty overnight. But he and his team should follow Iranian President simple life style. His first 100 days economic agenda should be ( 1 ) documentation of economy with low taxation structure ( 2 ) enlargement of tax net with low tax structure ( 3 ) increasing home remittance from expatriate Pakistanis, ( 4 ) announcement of immunity for people to bring illgotten money back to Pakistan. I am sure if he follows such policies he will recieve support of every one in Pakistan and respect of International community.
He is the honest man, rare to find at least in Pakistani politics.
But this is the man who stood up for subcontinental supremacy, not just Pakistan's but the whole region's. Unfortunately while we kept to our own ways, Indians took the lead and are now among the strongest nations and their cricket board has enormous influence.
Khan wants to lead the nation to real sovereignity and kick the begging bowl, terming it the root of all corruption as all aid goes into the pocket of a few to earn their tacit compliance to foreign dictation.
Imran Khan's rise to power will lead to a new stability not just to Pakistan but the region as a whole as he is totally aware and sincere to the dynamics of the subcontinent.
Imran Khan is carrying on the traditions of his predecessors - visiting foreign capitals with a begging bowl. The next capitals on his itinerary will be Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. Watch my word.
I am not surprised by Mr. Khan’s itinerary. The only difference between Bhuttos’, Musharaff’s, and Zardaris’ and Mr. Khan is that they started their begging trips to foreign capitals after they became the head of the Pakistani state. In this respect, Mr. Khan is a trend setter. He has started making the begging rounds of foreign capitals even before he has won an election. Will be interesting to watch how many nations would want to pony up money to this failed nation that has nothing offer in return other than terrorism .
secondly how u came to know its a begging trip?? dont make stupid assumptions.. he met chinese officials to have some insight of their anticorruption system, poverty elevation programes.. He has never been in government but still china invites him.this makes him an extra ordinary person..
Im sometime amused by the fact that y indians believe this as thier religous duty to respond to every artical or post which involves Pakistan.. like this one
Apparently, Mr. Khan wanted India to withdraw her forces from Kashmir. Maybe, Mr. Khan could use his China visit to reclaim the part of Kashmir that Pakistan gifted to China. That would be a good start before Mr. Khan preaches the values of sovereignty to USA and self determination to India.