Imran Khan’s speeches: From ‘I will not stay in the Prime Minister’s House’ to ‘Imported government not recognized’
By Ahmed Ijaz – Journalist BBC Urdu Translated by Jamal Panhwar
Let us hide today’s political scenario from the back of our minds for a moment and go to July 25, 2018. This was the day when PTI a new and third political party of Pakistan was about to enter the corridors of power and Imran Khan was about to become the Prime Minister.
A large part of population of Pakistan had high expectations from this new regime. Expectations deepened when the prospective prime minister addressed the nation for the first time on July 26 2018, but in a span of almost three-and-a-half years, a prime minister who had the confidence of a large number of the country’s youth had to face the no-confidence motion.
Here we review Imran Khan’s speeches as the Prime Minister of the nation and try to find out how his attitude changed in the course of speeches. Why were these speeches made? Finally, we will present a brief analysis of the main points of these speeches.
Address of 26th July, 2018 (Prime Minister had not yet taken oath)
Background: General elections were held on July 25, in which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took the lead over other parties and Imran Khan addressed the nation the next day. Enthusiasm was high, determination was strong, there was joy and satisfaction of victory in the tone and there was a look ahead.
Key points: Accountability will start from me, I will adopt simplicity, I will make Pakistan a welfare state in the style of Madina state, I will bring the weaker sections to the top, I will improve governance and I will eliminate corruption, let India take a step forward. The Prime Minister will not be in the House. No one will be subjected to political revenge.
August 19, 2018
Background: On August 18, 2018, Imran Khan was sworn in as the Prime Minister and addressed the nation the next day. This was his first address as Prime Minister.
Key points: Corrupt people will not be spared, looted money will be brought back from out of country, 5 million houses and South Punjab province will be built, I will have two employees and only two vehicles, Punjab police will be fixed, will make Pakistan a state like Madina (Riyasat e Madina) Will bring the weaker class up, the nation should not worry or panic (Aap ne Ghabrana Naheen hai).
September 7, 2018
Background: His address was on the construction of dams. This was the period when the then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Saqib Nisar was very active in the construction of dams. This speech was specific to the construction of the dam and its importance and was avoided here and there.
Highlights: In his message, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the Chief Justice by saying, “Greetings to the Chief Justice that this was the work of us politicians, who did it.” There was a debt of six thousand billion rupees, which has now reached thirty thousand billion.
October 31, 2018
Background: This was the day when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Aasia Bibi and Aasia Bibi was acquitted of the blasphemy case Imran Khan’s spoke on this day about it.
Imran Khan’s speech was about the possible protest consequences of this decision. The speech revolved around the topic, not including unnecessary ones. Tehreek-e-Libek had protested against the decision.
Important points: People should not be deceived by the elements that shine in politics, they are not serving religion but giving power to their politics, Pakistan’s constitution is Islamic and Supreme Court decision is according to it, Pakistan is the only country. The language used by certain people against the judges of the Supreme Court, which was established in the name of Islam after the state of Madinah, is unacceptable.
February 19, 2019
Background: Imran Khan addressed the nation in reference to the Pulwama attack. All this was addressed to India in the context of the Pulwama attack. The speech revolved around the subject. Where he declared himself ready for war, he emphasized the need for dialogue and an investigation into the Pulwama attack, with the loss of the war.
Key points: War, investigation and negotiations are ready for all options, Pulwama attack is of no use to Pakistan, do not accuse India without proof, Pakistan has lost 100 billion dollars in the war on terror and 70,000 Pakistanis have been martyred. Yes, this is an election year in India, there will be political benefits from such issues, starting a war is in the hands of man, ending it is not in the hands of man.
February 27, 2019
Background: The background to this speech was the situation after the Pulwama attack, when Pakistan shot down an Indian plane and the pilot Abhinandan was arrested. India was also mentioned in this speech. In the said address, Imran Khan did not speak off topic.
Key points: Offer of talks to India, if war breaks out the matter will not be in the hands of me and Modi, we (India) and we have weapons, in this situation we can miss calculation?
August 26, 2019
Background: Imran Khan’s speech was in the context of India’s abolition of the special status of Indian-administered Kashmir on August 5. In this speech, Imran Khan’s focus remained on Kashmir.
Important points: The nation should express solidarity with the people of Kashmir for 30 minutes every Friday. The Islamic world will support us on the issue of Kashmir. If there is a war, both the countries are nuclear powers.
March 17, 2020
Background: Imran Khan’s address to the nation was against the backdrop of global coronavirus outbreak. In his speech, he said, “The virus is not very dangerous, it is a cold, it spreads fast.” This statement was later criticized many times. The speech revolved around protection from the corona virus and the problems it causes.
Key points: The virus can destroy Pakistan’s economy, the nation is not afraid, it will win the war. Cities will not be closed, people will be saved from Corona, on the other hand they will starve to death, there will be no complete lockdown.
March 22, 2020
Background: This speech was also against the backdrop of the spread of the corona virus and the growing social concern. This time too the complete lockdown policy was opposed.
Key points: What will happen to the poor if I do a complete lockdown? People voluntarily lock down, people do not panic, there is an abundant supply of groceries.
March 30, 2020
Background: This speech was also against the background of coronavirus spread, prevention and precaution. It placed responsibilities on the Tiger Force to help in overcoming the epidemic situation by joining every sector.
Key points: We will defeat Corona with the strength of faith and Tiger force, will not leave the hoarders, let the people show the same spirit as the Ansar and Muhajireen of Madinah, do not expel the factory workers. If there are deaths due to starvation, those responsible will be hoarded.
March 4, 2021
Background: Imran Khan’s speech was referring to the Senate election upset in which PPP’s Yousuf Raza Gilani defeated Hafeez Sheikh. In this Senate election, Yousuf Raza Gilani got ten votes from the government ranks. In this speech, Imran Khan was found full of anger.
Important points: I will not spare the dacoits, the Election Commission has damaged democracy, if the members are not with me and if they say this openly, I will respect them, if I do not get a vote of confidence, I will leave.
April 19, 2021
Background: The background to this speech was that the Tehreek-e-Libek Pakistan was protesting in the country and was demanding the expulsion of the French ambassador due to his blasphemous sketches. In his address, Imran Khan emphasized the importance of relations with Europe.
Key points: The Labaik movement and our goal are the same but the procedure is different. If the French ambassador is removed, it will only harm our country. If we sever ties with the European Union, our exports will end and our factories will be locked. Blasphemy hurts the feelings of Muslims. I will lead this campaign myself.
November 3, 2021
Background: This was Imran’s speech against the backdrop of rising inflation in the country, in which he announced a relief package. In this speech, along with announcing the relief package to the people, he also angered the opposition.
Key points: Petrol will be expensive, give a relief package of Rs 120 billion, inflation is a global problem, two families bring back the money looted for 30 years, I will halve the prices of groceries, 4 million families will be given interest free loans. ?
February 28, 2022
Background: Criticism of the opposition continued due to rising prices of petrol and electricity. On the other hand, Bilawal Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari had started a long march.
In this speech, Imran Khan tried to give the impression to the people in the form of relief that the country is moving in the right direction but the opposition parties are creating problems.
Key points: Petrol is cheaper by Rs. 10 per liter and electricity by Rs. 5 per unit. Prices will not be increased till the budget. The mafia is blackmailing in the name of freedom of the press. For a free foreign policy, the nation should not vote for those whose assets are outside. The purpose of the visit to Russia was to import wheat and gas.
March 31, 2022
Background: This speech was in the context of the no-confidence motion. Earlier, Imran Khan had gathered PTI workers at the parade ground and mentioned the address and threatening letter.
Imran Khan’s attitude in this speech was aggressive. The impression was given that the US wanted to overthrow his government and the opposition was part of an external conspiracy.
Important points: The threatening letter came from America, I will not resign, I will fight till the last ball, I will not tolerate anyone saying bad things to the army chief Will know which way the country has to go, I will compete till the last ball.
April 3, 2022
Background: This was a very short speech by Imran Khan. This was the day when the no-confidence motion was declared unconstitutional and the National Assembly was dissolved.
Key points: Our Speaker thwarted the plot to change the government, I congratulate the whole nation on the rejection of the no-confidence motion, I have sent a proposal to the President to dissolve the Assembly, the nation is preparing for new elections Do
April 8, 2022
Background: Imran Khan’s speech was in the context of the Supreme Court decision that was made on the night of April 8. This was Imran Khan’s last address to the nation as Prime Minister.
In this speech, while expressing frustration over the decision of the Supreme Court, he also presented his next course of action saying that the imported government is not acceptable. It was clear from this speech that Imran Khan had read the inscription on the wall and knew that the last ball had gone out of the pavilion.
Key points: Disappointed with the court decision, no-confidence motion is a foreign conspiracy, our foreign policy should be free, I will not allow the conspiracy to overthrow the government to succeed, Shahbaz Sharif will not be able to wear Achkan, imported government is not recognized.
Overview of speeches
The above-mentioned speeches of PTI leader Imran Khan to the nation can be divided into three parts.
Part I: Speeches that focus on issues, including the first address on tensions with India, protests by Tehreek-e-Libek Pakistan, the release of Asiya Bibi and speeches on the Corona virus.
Imran Khan’s tone is mild and he thinks seriously about the issues. In a speech, he was quoted as saying that expelling the French ambassador would worsen relations with the European Union and end our exports and lock down our factories.
These speeches express hope, conviction, realistic issues, seriousness of issues.
Part 2: When Yousuf Raza Gilani defeated Hafeez Sheikh in the Senate elections in March 2021, where Imran Khan’s tone was full of anger, he focused all his attention on the opposition .
Opposition parties have been criticized in a number of speeches since the no-confidence motion was filed. In these speeches, national issues were left behind. Personal and political obstinacy emerged. At the same time, his speeches became more and more criticized at the social level.
In these speeches, it seems that Imran Khan has stepped down from the post of Prime Minister and climbed back on the container and staying on the container seems more appropriate to him.
Part III: This section contains speeches made after the motion of no confidence was introduced. Nothing new was said in these long and short speeches, although every time the impression was given that an explosive news would come out. In these speeches, anger was felt in his tone and the opposition parties came under heavy criticism. However, where there was unrest, defeat was also evident.
In these speeches, where there was a sense of struggle and virtue of caste, there was a sense of failure. In this last part of the speeches, contradictions of Imran Khan’s caste, politics of accusations and fallacies came to the fore.
And then the contestant till the last ball finally started waiting for the next match by saying ‘Imported government is not recognized’.
