THIS is with reference to Salman Munir’s letter ‘Imran Khan on Islamic welfare state’ (July 4). I agree that Imran Khan’s statement “We want to create an Islamic welfare state” is a bit confusing. We are already an Islamic state and a fresh one does not need to be created. What Imran Khan perhaps means is that the PTI wants to create a liberal and democratic Islamic welfare state which will have the prime objective of people’s welfare in its policy formulation. He could not have meant an Islamic welfare state based on the Taliban’s ideology or even the Saudi system. By his own assertion, Imran Khan’s strength is over 30 million young people who have now been registered as voters and will vote for him, helping him sweep the elections. I am sure these young, educated and liberal voters are not looking for an Islamic welfare state based on the Taliban or Saudi model. Imran Khan better clarify his ‘Islamic welfare state’ concept before the elections for the benefit of his potential voters. He would be better off if he does not sound like belonging to one of the existing religious party. He has already disappointed some of his staunch supporters by recruiting a few tainted and tested ‘electable’ politicians. ZAHEER AHMAD Islamabad

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Comments (33)

amin
July 30, 2012 5:13 am
mr hasin Khan has been against the war on terror since day 1 when popular support was with mussharaf. what the heck your talking about.
M N Syed
July 28, 2012 6:45 pm
Our aim should be a welfare State. A state where there is no discrimination because of faith, colour, language,sex and status.A welfare state guarentees security of life and property and equal opportunity to every citizen to live a decent life.I dont care which Idealogy provides this. Public should jude performance of their leaders from this point of view. There is need for a non political group to propagate this idea and teach people( educated and uneducated) to search for selfless and honoust people for assemblies. This task can be best done by College and university student.
khalid
July 28, 2012 12:57 am
to get your answers please watch imran khan's recent interview by arif nizami
salman
July 28, 2012 12:44 am
religious extremists and liberal fascists both will destroy this country
Mustafa
July 27, 2012 10:28 pm
The slogan of Tsunami March did not work. The slogan of Protest March did not work. Let us wait and see if the slogan of "Islamic welfare state" will work. It seems people are not interested in judging a future political candidate based on future promises. They are interested in judging a political candidate base on political success and political experience and leadership in the past.
Rahul
July 27, 2012 9:25 pm
Europe earned before they started spending on welfare like buffoons. They work only 35 hrs a week, take 5 weeks of holidays every year and enjoy doles by the state. It is a disastrous policy to pursue even for a developed/rich economy. It looks like Imran Khan got his accounting wrong - It would be a disaster to Pakistan's future.
M Khaleeq
July 27, 2012 8:04 pm
If you can convert Pakistanis to be an honest nation all the problems will be resoved. Do not create enimies try to be friends with everyone.
Ijaz Mir
July 27, 2012 7:44 pm
Please do not make this great nation in to nation of beggars, free money no work (like ppp is doing Benzir welfare fund)
yaver
July 27, 2012 6:41 pm
From which angel Pakistan looks like an Islamic State? Voting for Imran Khan should'nt be a choice, every pakistani must vote for Imran Khan because living with dignity is better than living like what we are right now. Imran Khan will win if people really want him to win and it will be people who will actually win. Lets hope and pray that people of Pakistan finally win and PTI under the leadership of Imran and the support of Pakistanis are able to make Pakistan a true Islamic state where people can live in peace and harmony.
amer
July 27, 2012 6:34 pm
Need change change and only change. Imran Khan is the only way going forward. Need new face like Imran and put pakistan on right path. Tired of all the old politicians. All old politicians did not do anything for the country.
Hateem Ahmed
July 27, 2012 5:43 pm
I am sure he was inspired by the UK welfare system. He is leading a revolution in a proper organised way. Using social media to his advantage he has managed to get so many people to support him. If what Imran plans looks anything like the UK welfare system, lets welcome him with open arms.
Fazal Karim Karachi
July 27, 2012 5:04 pm
An Islamic State should first be a secular, which gives equal rights to all. A secular state is best guarentee of human rights.
Agha Ata
July 27, 2012 2:04 pm
There can be no welfare state with JI joining in with its own agenda. And there can be no welfare state without Quede Azam's instruction that religion has nothing to do with the state. Why is Imran Khan doing this? Is it just to get more followers, or is it so because he is also one of them who ruined Pakistan with their undemocratic ideology? I wish he knew that the illusion of knowledge is NO knowledge!
Hasin Ahmed
July 27, 2012 12:48 pm
Of the 53 or 54 Islamic countries which one Imran khan is going emulate in his bid to establish an Islamic welfare state in Pakistan? He seems to be trying to please everyone in Pakistan. He is swaying in every direction which signifies political immaturity in him. Great leaders are not swayed by public opinion. They mold public opinion. They lead the people .They are not led by them. We have shining examples of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and M.A.Jinnah.
Afshan Khan
July 27, 2012 12:24 pm
Yes, we are already an islamic state but who is following the rules of islam .Kindly dont connect islam with taliban. there is no similarity between them . If Imran Khan wants to do something according to islam then nobody should have problem .I think some people are suffering IK phobia now a days.
Cyrus Howell
July 27, 2012 11:49 am
The Swedish model of the 70s did not work completely, and the upper middle class were paying 50%+ income tax. Now the government does not cover everyone's medical care. France is a better model. Norway is good, but they have lots of crude oil development in the North Atlantic to see them through..
Azhar Hussain
July 27, 2012 11:38 am
As far as Imran Khan is concerned, this man has a vision and the vision is Islamic Welfare State, and we very much doubt it is going to be Taliban type. With his vision he made Shaukat Cancer Hospital; with vision he made Nimal University and with his vision inshallah our country is destined for better things. My last advise to my freinds from across the border in this forum, if you cannot participate in discusion don't make any silly statement that shows your typical hatred of Islam and Pakistan.
Cyrus Howell
July 27, 2012 11:33 am
Islamic Welfare State or the same political policy by another name makes no difference in the nomenclature. Where is Imran going to raise the tax money to keep government spending in the black?
gopal
July 27, 2012 10:49 am
This obsession for Islam will disintegrate Pakistan. It did that in 1971, and it will do it again.
truth bites
July 27, 2012 9:36 am
A welfare state he is inspired from when he first travelled to UK, apart from other things. I agree to Imran, UK welfare system is very close depiction to Islamic Welfare State system. Where rich and working people get taxed, and homeless, needy, poor, and retired pensioners get state benefits. People under 16 years and over 60 travel free, has free medical and living and expenses facilities are guranteed if they cant afford. So you call it whatever name - That is welfare system he meant!
Indian
July 27, 2012 9:24 am
the problem is that pakistanis still believe in the magician pulling out a hare from the hat. however there are serious people in pakistan like the former economic adviser Saqib Serani who bemoan the shenanigans that are happening in pakistan but who listens to them?
Aziz
July 27, 2012 9:09 am
Those who seek clarity in the muddied politics of Pakistan should also remember the slogan 'Islamic Socialism' from the stalwart of Pakistani politics- the late Z.A. Bhutto. Pakistan was also created under a slogan. The youth in Pakistan are certainly not drawn by slogans but by the prospect of living in a country where 'corruption' and 'dynastic' politics seals every avenue for merit and hard work. It appears that they might have at least partial success initially.
Indian
July 27, 2012 8:58 am
I get the Islamic part. may be Pakistan be a perfect Islamic state. Application of Sharia and abolition of the English law will very easily lead to to be an Islamic state. My question is where will the wherewithal for the " welfare" part come from? Welfare state as is generally known in Europe is one which provides its citizens with Health care, Roads, Water, Electricity , Free school education. It carges taxes to fund all this. I dont see a great economist in IK. Neither has he talked about how he will get all these things. He doesn thave a real economic plan. Only "Sabz Bagh" that he promises is " islamic Welfare state" How? Pakistan doesnot have oil like saudi to fund the welfare part of the deal.
Indian
July 27, 2012 8:44 am
Dont you think it is exactly this " whatever' attitude that is troubling pakistan??? In politics there is no " whatever". " Whatevers" are very costly. Noting against Imran khan but it looks like pakistani youth has found another Pied piper.
Shehzad Ghani
July 27, 2012 8:43 am
Emmm.. why are writers in this section obsessed with IK clarifying his statement. Why is it so difficult to understand? Are we really an Islamic state to begin with? If we are, is it based on welfare. NO! So this is what he means - he will transform it in one!
ahmed
July 27, 2012 8:04 am
What ever, he will bring back my lost Pakistani Pride. That is the most important thing for me.
sbkhattak
July 27, 2012 7:19 am
Islamic history taught us and establish Islamic Welfare State. Its not new we have the basic principles. Writer is just intrested in names like ANP. so what taliban calls them muslims should we stop calling ourselves muslims too?
Abrar R
July 27, 2012 6:50 am
You can talk only for yourself when u say Pakistani "youth" wants this or wants that. Have u completed a survey or something in this connect? ure passing sweeping ts He has repeatedly discussed attributes of a welfare state, one which is in line with the rashidun era. Remember this is Islamic republic of Pakistan, not peoples republic. Whether u like it or not this country was made on the name of Islam and it has to turn Islamic to achieve its destiny .. again .. whether u like it or not. U know very less about the Taliban as well. If you're mixing TTP with Taliban, u know even less
Indian
July 27, 2012 5:04 am
It will be difficult for Imran Khan to pronounce a policy before eletion except for what he has already said " Islamic Welfare state" while he is hobnobbing with the Right wing parties. The Pakistani youth has to read between the lines to prevent a election disaster and then blame democracy for it. Democracy is a process in which such mistakes do occur however it is th eonly process that is open to refining itself.
DevilHunterX
July 27, 2012 4:59 am
Pakistan is a WELFARE state? How? Since when?
Waqar Saleem
July 27, 2012 4:36 am
Hasn't Imran Khan has repeatedly cited Scandinavia as his model?
malik
July 27, 2012 4:05 am
whatever
Nabeel
July 27, 2012 3:45 am
It is as straight as it gets. Islamic Welfare State. Consist of three words. ISLAMIC, WELFARE , STATE. If you want I can find the definition of each word, but I am sure you can google them. To be a welfare sate there is no question about talbinization. And being Islamic again does not mean that. First question should be do we want IWS. There may be some people who does not want that. So there is no need to explain to them. Your question is what type of Islamic Welfare is the 2nd question as far as I am concern. I think this will evolve as any question or project. The bases are there. SO IK need not to go in that details at this stage. Don’t confuse thing unnecessarily, this is problem we all have try to trap people in their words. We all know what type of IWS state we want. That is why people supporting PTI not PTT(Pakistan Tehrak Taliban).