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After Sadiq Khan's win, the internet points out hypocrisy on Pakistan's part
Culture

After Sadiq Khan's win, the internet points out hypocrisy on Pakistan's part

This question is being asked: would he have achieved this kind of success in Pakistan?
Images Staff
Updated 07 May, 2016

When news broke last night that Sadiq Khan has been elected London's first Muslim mayor, celebrations began the world over — most notably in Pakistan, where Sadiq Khan's family originates from.

Khan, a former human rights lawyer and Labour government minister, is the son of a Pakistani immigrant who came to Britain in the 1960s. Though his father worked as a bus driver, he wanted something better for his children.

Sadiq Khan's extraordinary rise to prominence in politics has been hailed as an inspiration to immigrants everywhere. Pakistanis have been quick to highlight his religion and also his Pakistani roots. Pakistani TV channels and newspapers (including this publication) ran stories that stressed his background and social media buzzed with congratulatory messages. This is the freshest instance of our tendency to embrace the success of anyone of Pakistani origin, from pop sensation Zayn Malik to boxer Amir Khan, as our own.

At the same time, several people pointed out how Sadiq Khan's success in England would've been very hard to replicate in a Pakistani context.

Commentators stressed that Pakistan's political establishment is plagued by a damaging elitism

Some asked whether a man from Sadiq Khan's background could ever 'make it' in Pakistani politics

In this criticism, some seemed to be referring to Sadiq Khan's stance on issues like gay marriage

Some pointed out how the majority of Pakistanis may not even have investigated Sadiq Khan's politics, preferring to focus solely on his roots

The question resounding all across social media was this:

Some people saw no impact to Pakistan from Sadiq Khan's election

However, it is still worth noting that Sadiq Khan's win serves as an important symbol for minorities across the world: that they, too, can aspire to high politic offices in the hope of making a difference.

Some commentators hoped this win would serve as a lesson for Pakistan

And made clear that we don't lose anything by congratulating Sadiq Khan on his win

Some asked whether getting upset about hypocrisy in Pakistan... mattered

And the debate continues online.

Comments

Khilari May 07, 2016 05:10pm
It took centuries of democracy for UK to reach this stage today. Give us at least on fourth of this time to do something.
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Proust May 07, 2016 05:13pm
The learning never stops in life. Success of Sadiq Khan provides a learning curve , hopefully Pakistanis back home will learn something from it.
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Imtiaz Piracha May 07, 2016 05:14pm
The world is changing fast, including in terms of global population blending physically and intellectually. It goes to the credit of Western democracy that developments like the election of Obama in the USA and now Sadiq Khan in the UK, demonstrate its compatibility with the changing realities of the world. We need to learn from it.
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Nasser May 07, 2016 05:20pm
Story is same over here across the border in India. No body knew anything about Hargobind Khurana...Kalpana Chawla the astronaut...Jindal the US politician. But once they met success entire nation started idolizing them. But it is not wrong. As for Sadiq Khan...well when our people can't elect a incorruptible person like Imran Khan, Sadiq Khan is sitting very far.
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Ali May 07, 2016 05:21pm
Because of the confusion , not knowing what Pakistani nation is and what they want to be, every event becomes a controversy in Pakistan.
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Asim May 07, 2016 05:28pm
@Imtiaz Piracha Yes we do. Time now urdu speaking people are given their rights or one day they will be in the same spot in Pak as Obama and Sadiq Khan
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Imran ali May 07, 2016 05:45pm
but Karachi being run without a powerful Mayor...
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Changez_Khan May 07, 2016 05:50pm
Since Sadiq Khan's root is from Pakistan so Pakistanis are specially taking pride of this news. So congratulations to Sadiq Khan and specially to the people of London, Sadiq Khan will be a great Mayor, his background record proves that.
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Uday Kulkarni May 07, 2016 05:52pm
India has a chaiwalla background Prime minister now.
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Amjad Wyne May 07, 2016 05:52pm
@Khilari Actually, I would disagree with your perspective -
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N_Saq May 07, 2016 05:56pm
If Pak wants to succeed then the dynastic politics must end. Pak politicians and people need to understand that a true leader can come from anywhere and not just from country's rich elite. Also, Pak needs to understand that the more diverse the work force i.e. people from different countries and ethnicity and religion are inducted in the work force, the better the country will be in facing the challenges of the 20th century. Pak has seen a lot of brain drain, it is time to reverse the process.
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bhagwat May 07, 2016 06:01pm
@Nasser but we have president of one of the largest and longest ruling party (CONGRESS) from foreign roots (SONIA), what do u think about it ?
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Ayub May 07, 2016 06:01pm
He has to discharge his responsibilities without any discrimination on the basis of belief, origin, color. He has to take all along in the development of London.
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Uday Kulkarni May 07, 2016 06:14pm
@Nasser - Not really and I beg to disagree. What do you have to say about Narendra Modi who became Prime minister of the India with a tea vendor ( Chaiwalla) background . What about ex PM Lal bahadur Shastri and Rajendra Prasad's (First President of India) background ? What about Gulzarilal Nanda's (ex PM between Nehru and Lal bahadur ) background or Jagjivan ram's background? I am sorry but the backgrounds of past Indian Prime ministers and Presidents prove contrary to your comparison claim as the above examples show that the past Indian PMs and Presidents came from a very common man back ground except the Gandhi family. These past leaders proclaim to the world that India is not just the largest democracy in the world in true sense as acknowledged by not just the western countries but the entire world.
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Anuj May 07, 2016 06:20pm
Can pakistanis ever be able to choose a non muslim mayor ...???
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Josh May 07, 2016 06:33pm
When are we electing a hindu mayor of Karachi
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Gp65 May 07, 2016 06:37pm
@Imtiaz Piracha Why just western democracies. Can you not learn from India who has had non-Hindus become PM, President, CJ, CEC, COAS, cricket captain, top boxer, tennis player, top filmstar, singer, music director, billionaire businessmen? At least 3 of our PM have risen from a very humble backgrround (Shastriji, Manmohan Singh and our current PM who everyone knows started life as a chaiwallah).
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sheikh gee May 07, 2016 06:40pm
@Khilari There are plenty of examples of poor peoples making it big in Pakistan but none where a non Muslim winning an important election.
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Hassan Parvez May 07, 2016 06:48pm
What rubbish, any one can rise to the highest government position in Pakistan. Live example Mr. Khurshid Shah. Wasn't he a line man in the telephone department? look at him now, among the richest and chief of opposition in the National Assembly.
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Mohammad Farooque May 07, 2016 07:03pm
Todays elite of Pakistan are the comman men from oridanary families of not so distant past. Using your potential in positive way will bring success. I left IRP 30 years ago. Yes I have success but the one left in IRP are also are very successful. Mamnoon Hussain, Malik Riaz General Raheel Sharif are some examples of people who were from ordanary famalies in Islamic Republic and got success in their fields.
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anonymous May 07, 2016 07:21pm
@Khilari :"It took centuries of democracy for UK to reach this stage today. Give us at least on fourth of this time to do something." There is no sign whatsoever of democracy having progressed, not even an inch, in the last 70 years. Every time democracy has been given a chance, it has been defeated. So do you want 700 years for it to take root?
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Salman May 07, 2016 07:23pm
We have as much right to own Sadiq Khan as getting blamed for a second generation ethnic Pakistani British common criminal. Next time some Chaudry or Khan gets caught breaking the law don't blame the entire Pakistani community.. I know we will be blamedfor all the misfits so hell yes we will cla Sadiq as a Pakistani
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Mahmood May 07, 2016 07:40pm
What's so surprising? Like people in Kenya consider Obama as the son of the country (through his parentage), why not Sadiq Khan's ancestry to Pakistan, where his parents hailed from?
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Sr May 07, 2016 08:01pm
@Gp65 well said.
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Sr May 07, 2016 08:09pm
@Mahmood I think you haven't noticed title or read article properly.
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Omar Dar May 07, 2016 08:23pm
How is it that every good thing is turned into a bad thing for Pakistan? I have seen many Pakistanis achieve great things by the dint of their hard work and absolute honesty. It is very saddening to see that people, including our enlightened Pakistanis themselves, carry such negativity and continuously blame our beautiful country for everything under the sun. The problem is that the world sees this side of Pakistan while other countries promote their own achievements, leading to skewed image of our nation. This should stop right now!
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aslam shaikh May 07, 2016 08:50pm
Yes he could only if international powers stop meddling in politics in Pakistan and protecting our corrupt politicians.
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Arslan May 07, 2016 08:51pm
Title of this article is strange and context totally different. If someone kill a person in USA and he was born in Pakistan then all turned to this country. If someone born here did something good why this shall be cherished as at least the land having talent beyond skies.
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Khilari May 07, 2016 09:06pm
@sheikh gee quite obviously you didn't get the message. It takes time to change a mind set bro, bear with us.
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adnan May 07, 2016 09:07pm
irrelevant to Pakistan
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KAISER May 07, 2016 09:23pm
MQM has sent lower middle class to assemblies. If the opportunity is given to MQM , they may put a man of humble background as a president. ksult25@gmail.com
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Jalaluddin S. Hussain May 07, 2016 09:30pm
Pakistan should learn from the victory of Sadiq Khan and stop encouraging elite and corrupt politicians.
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sidney May 07, 2016 09:56pm
Unfortunately, Pakistanis have been recognized for the wrong reasons lately. This success story of Sadiq Khan is a refreshing change when a man of Pakistani origin is recognized for the right ones
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Rahul May 07, 2016 10:34pm
When Indians made Chaiwala Modi Prime Minister, several Pakistani Talk shows had their laughs at our expense. Look who is laughing now!
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Rashad May 07, 2016 10:38pm
Will Pakistan elect Christian or Hindu mayor of Karachi
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AK May 07, 2016 10:43pm
Sadiq Khan, a human rights lawyer and a son of an immigrant bus driver has won the election of the office of Mayor of London. Can he become the Prime Minister of the U.K? Most probably NOT. This position is highly elitist. With the exception of John Major, most British Prime Minister belonged to the elite class (including Margaret Thatcher by dint of her marriage to a very rich man). Can a person of such credentials and background become a Mayor of the largest city in Pakistan- Karachi? Yes, Mustafa Kamal, with equally humble origin, did. Can such a person become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. No, definitely not. This position is reserved for the progeny of the "self-professed Pakistani elite".
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Khan-Haqiqi May 07, 2016 10:44pm
The biggest hypocrisy is a Muhajir can become a London mayor but cannot become Sindh chief minister as pet law and can't compete on merit for job in the country which is founded by their forefather ! That's the biggest hypocrisy
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Aziz May 07, 2016 10:53pm
@Anuj Two Chief Justices of Pakistan Supreme Court have been non-Muslim. Justice Cornelius and Justice Bhagwan Das. There are thousands of non_Muslim Pakistanis in important positions as Doctors, Lawyers etc. Hope this would help you correct your negative perception about Pakistan.
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Chris Roberts May 07, 2016 11:32pm
@Mohammad Farooque Using your potential to achieve success should be possible in all fields, regardless of one's religious affiliation. Pakistan has lost an enormous pool of skilled and talented men and women owing to institutionalised discrimination. One's capabilities, dedication and integrity are what REALLY count, and not whether one is Muslim or not.
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Ray Ahmad May 07, 2016 11:58pm
We don`t have mayor in Pakistan.Provincial Assembly running our cities.Our cities run by mayor with full powers.
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Alexander May 08, 2016 12:10am
@Omar Dar. You are absolutely right. Pakistanis should stop whining and celebrate Khans victory. This is also a victory for multiculturalism in the UK.
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Azi May 08, 2016 12:26am
@Khilari We will never progress on any front as long as we do not come to the realization that in today's world state and religion must be two distinct and separate institutions. I know that I'm inviting abuse from the majority of the Pakistanis that remains misguided.
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ALI May 08, 2016 12:44am
Victory of Sadiq Khan is a symbol of hard work ( on his part ) and the generosity of the Londoners. Nothing more and nothing less. After all the democracy & parliament in UK has been over seven hundred years old and going strong for their citizen. Mayor Khan started from the very bottom ( his life and politics in equal opportunity for all society ) and came to prominence. We in Pakistan have ben denied the student union, labor union and all sorts of local administration by elected people. Look around and you will see the family of three generations.
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ALI May 08, 2016 12:45am
I want to know as where is his ( Mayor. Khan ) parents home town.
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Nasser May 08, 2016 12:51am
@bhagwat Nothing wrong in it. And also except the people of South India entire Indian populace has its roots outside the country...they are Aryans. But again I don't think it's wrong to celebrate the success of people in far off countries having their roots in our country.
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Raghib Masood May 08, 2016 12:52am
Its nice that a Pakistani origin person has been elected as mayor of London and not been called as ISI agent. But it has been shamed for us that despite passing almost 5 and half months after holding Karachi's local bodies election, mayor candidate is still waiting for nods from some where to take oath.
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Nasser May 08, 2016 01:02am
@Uday Kulkarni Sir your response to my comments is out of context. I simply believe that it is not wrong to celebrate the achievements of individuals irrespective of their place of karmas. As for past and present premiers of the country ...well they were from a different era. In those days even the leaders like Jinnah or Liyaqat Khan of Pakistan or Shastri or Gulzari Lal Nanda were not corrupt. In the present era they would have been made to sit on the sideline and salute the corrupts. And ofcourse please don't confuse us by refering Modi in the same breath as Shastri or Gulzari Lal Nanda. Modi himself is a byproduct of moral and ethical corruption prevailing in our society.Please don't insult the old stalwarts.
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anon May 08, 2016 01:14am
@Uday Kulkarni Yeah! But he is 1st Class M.A. also.
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Hussain May 08, 2016 01:20am
We have thousands of examples in Pakistan where people with very ordinary backgrounds reached at extraordinary positions in our parliament, bureaucracy, military, manufacturing and commerce. We have just stopped looking at ourselves deeply or seeking truth intensely or defying perceptions easily.
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anon May 08, 2016 01:30am
@Omar Dar The world has brains also, between the eyes.
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idea May 08, 2016 01:50am
His position has nothing to do with Islam or Muslims. He never associated himself or spoke for Islam during his campaign so why bother labeling him as muslim. Just bearing a muslim name does not make one a model for muslim.
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Zak May 08, 2016 02:06am
@Uday Kulkarni any nation that invades and occupies another nation and refuses a UN resolution for Kashmir plebiscite, forfeits its claim to a genuine democracy. If democracy is genuine, it cannot be applied selectively. Hence India is not largest genuine democracy but the largest emulative democracy. Largest genuine democracies are US ( gave vote to Hawaii), Canada ,( gave vote to Quebec) and UK ( gave vote to Scotland).
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Zak May 08, 2016 02:08am
No hypocrasy. Pakistan should aspire to have an electoral system, free and fair like IK is trying for, then Sadiq Khans would win here too. But for now, let's admire him for his success. We wish him well.
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Nadim Malik May 08, 2016 02:16am
Sadiq khan is a coconut a puppet he's just a front to fool us. Someone else will pull the strings
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Maysay May 08, 2016 03:07am
Shahi Syed of ANP wasn't a rickshaw driver. Now he is ANP's SIndh chief. If his party aligns with any ruling party like it did in the previous government, he could be a nominated as Federal Minister. From a humble beginning, like Sadiq Khan, he has given himself a chance to be something. And this has happened in Pakistan. So where is the hypocrisy.
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Taimoor khan May 08, 2016 03:09am
Really? Pakistan had and still have many parliamentarians, ministers and even some imported prime ministers who carried nationalities of westerns countries. What is the fuzz about?
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AXH May 08, 2016 03:15am
The West, in general, is far better than the Muslim countries in providing people the opportunities to ascend irrespective of their origin. Here in Pakistan, we have failed miserably not only in protecting the minorities but also providing equal opportunities to even those who belong to the middle and poor classes.
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AXH May 08, 2016 03:17am
This is a victory for the UK society which showed the world that in spite of the anti-Muslim sentiments, they are capable to trust a Muslim as their Mayor.
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Awan May 08, 2016 03:33am
Sadiq Khan openly supported Same Sex Marriage and also he openly stated about the acceptance of State of Israel and took a clear stance on this issue. If he would be in Pakistan then he would be in Jail for Blasphemy Charges and may be dead until now after a Street Mob Justice. Anyway if someone is successful then we are ready to own that person and will paint them the most pious to fully own the success as our own.
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Ahmed May 08, 2016 03:51am
Yes Mayor of Karachi was also from similar background, so it is possible in Pakistan as well
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Shahzad Akhund May 08, 2016 04:25am
Congratulations Mr. Khan on your well deserved victory. Your parents would be the most proud of all as they see the result of their sacrifice and of course the far-sighted decision to educate and train their children properly.
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aditya May 08, 2016 04:35am
@Uday Kulkarni they are clueless.90 % of their existence has been under army rule.zero perspective
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RS May 08, 2016 04:42am
Imagine a person of British Christian roots born and raised in Pakistan becoming a mayor of Karachi, Lahore or Pindi !
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AdHawk May 08, 2016 05:41am
Didn't Mustafa Kamal (former Karachi Nazim; equivalent to mayor) rise from humble origins? For that matter, Altaf Hussain and the founding members of MQM were all lower middle-class).
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Sajj May 08, 2016 05:54am
Isn't the mayor of Oslo also Pakistani?
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Muslim Medina May 08, 2016 06:03am
In Pakistan an ordinary person can never be a prime minister or governor. These titles are reserved for landlords and very rich people and this includes Imran Khan.
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Tamilsrlvan May 08, 2016 06:55am
A chai wallah can become a PM in India but cZn can anyone with similar background become a PM in Pakistan?
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Janikhel May 08, 2016 07:07am
If Sadiq Khan had remained in the land of Pure, even a rickshaw wala would not stop for him, please leave him alone, he is British born, British bred, British educated, he alone looks like us, inside he is more British than Prince William, so kindly LEAVE him alone, let him DO his job, he is NOT elected to tell stories, and hone and polish his "Kaland Qari, he is not polluted by our culture, or Mullah, he is BRITISH, successful member of the establishment. Good for him, Watch and learn.
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illawarrior May 08, 2016 07:11am
Could you imagine someone of British origin becoming mayor of Isamabad??
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Anonymous Indian May 08, 2016 07:18am
Congratulations to Mr. Khan but he would not have made it in Today's Pakistan. What a pity!
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Ahmad May 08, 2016 08:21am
@Khilari Pakistan run clans with black money, no place for hardworking people. Malaysia level higher than UK in being democratic with much shorter live span of their country. In Pakistan "Money talk and poor walk" is the rule.
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Dr Mazhar May 08, 2016 08:24am
No need to make comparisons of London politics/social system with that of Pakistani.
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Mohammad May 08, 2016 08:29am
Pakistan have to remove clan rule to be progressive. Zardari, Bhutto, Nawaz been the rules for last many decades. They have made Pakistan bankrupt; President Ayub was able to maintain two parts of Pakistan with multiple mega Dam projects, complete electric grid, Building new Capitol, War with India, Buildup of Pakistan army, development of Road system and train system , installation of nuclear plant in Karachi, run PIA with profit are just the few examples with his limited budget. It's better to have some military General to rule the country with no clan connections or outsource the CEO so called Prime Minister and all the cabinets to Private company to run the country with budget less than 40 Billion.
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brar May 08, 2016 08:38am
@Hassan Parvez Vow I never knew it that he was from my department /
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R S Chakravarti May 08, 2016 08:42am
@Uday Kulkarni Our second PM, Lal Bahadur Shastri, was also from a humble background. He didn't have any airs.
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brar May 08, 2016 08:44am
But as far as I remember the comments were quite opposite when a couple was held responsible for shooting 16 innocent persons in US every one was trying to justify that the man was US citizen and he has nothing to do with Pakistan or Muslims where as the lady was Pakistani and completed her studies in Pakistan. Hypocratic we are always.
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R S Chakravarti May 08, 2016 08:53am
@Gp65 I don't know about Pakistan but India doesn't generally provide opportunities to people of humble backgrounds to rise up. For example, the southern states are nowadays full of labourers, waiters, etc. from Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, etc.; they have no opportunity to get an education and a better job. Probably almost all of them will continue doing the same kind of work for the rest of their lives.
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Farrukh May 08, 2016 09:16am
It's nothing that people of Pakistan should be proud of. Just compare how lowly the Pakistani society perceives a bus driver versus the top honor that a civilized people has given to a bus driver's son. First it was Trudeau and now London has done the west proud. Londoners, you've raised the bar for rest of the world.
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Pakistan May 08, 2016 09:23am
@Khilari poor logic. Don't compare those centuries with modernity of last few centuries.
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Pakistan May 08, 2016 09:25am
@Asim a petty response.
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Pakistan May 08, 2016 09:29am
@Omar Dar a country's beauty is not only landscape etc; its the people who make it look good or bad. We are going through a big slump in this regard barring Imran Khan.
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shabut May 08, 2016 09:31am
People in Pakistan or else where are celebrating because he is a Muslim and not necessarily because he is a son of a bus driver. You also have to put the celebrations into context, e.g. the current prevailing political environment in the western world including America where Trump phenomenon make these celebrations even more intense. Don't forget Pakistanis had also celebrated Muhammad Ali as well even though he was from the USA. What's wrong with that?
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Funga May 08, 2016 10:19am
He is the mayor of London. London proved to be a very liberal and democratic society. Pakistan, has nothing like that. Stop claiming him.
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jamshed May 08, 2016 10:25am
@bhagwat Nothing really and why we should think or excited about Sonia or any one like her? What she achieved for poor Indian masses? She represented a dynasty and elitist India . Indian democracy just does not and will not work like western democracies, at least not in your life time !!
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sameer May 08, 2016 10:42am
@Khilari Why? This is all excuses. You got same time as India. In India a tea seller became PM. There were many before and will be more hereafter. Why always blame other be it any man, a nation, a timeframe. When you fail to do something, accept it and try harder.
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NKAli May 08, 2016 11:50am
Pakistan's politics is an international disgrace. This has led to joblessness, unbridled corruption, human smugglers, and global debt that is seeping out of the country's ears. To add insult to injury, we have Americans championing our garbage politicians to keep their ill-acquired wealth in their country and take on more debt. To add further insult to injury, our institutions have become impotent or moribund. Salams
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SG May 08, 2016 11:50am
Actually it's a very important point. In Progressive Western countries (and even in India), people having merit can have done well in Politics, Sports, Cinema etc. irrespective of their religion. Can Pakistan create an environment where they would evaluate people without the prism of religion? Can they ever accept a non-Muslim to become President, PM, Army Chief, Sports Team Captain?
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Reader May 08, 2016 12:06pm
This is what REAL democracy is about not which the corrupt Pakistani politicians keep on quoting during their speeches to embezzle govt funds into their own off shore accounts abroad. Pakistani politicians always quote the term "democracy" but they don't have a clue or knowledge of true democracy. they make a fool of all pakistanis.
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DocOne May 08, 2016 12:55pm
Though it's good news for Pakistan ask yourselves whether a person from non elite background and from religious minority ( Christian or Hindu in Pakistan) would be elected a mayor of Karachi or Lahore? Just imagine....is it possible?
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Kalimullah May 08, 2016 01:18pm
We are cheering for London(UK) mayor and no body discussing about Karachi mayor and PPP took all power from Karachi mayor and no body taking care about that. This is Hippocratic society. Sorry to say but it is true
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GS May 08, 2016 02:09pm
@Khilari Why not compare with India for this ? Like in everything .
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aslam shaikh May 08, 2016 03:46pm
@KAISER and the president would have 25 terrorism cases against him and rule us from outside the country.
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AG May 08, 2016 04:28pm
India's already done it many times .... PM Modi was a chaiwala & came from a poor family. Arvind Kejriwal, the CM of Delhi was from a middle-class background and formed his party after quitting civil services... there are many such examples in Indian politics...
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Khilari May 08, 2016 04:54pm
@anonymous why not? UK took that much time however i hope things will improve faster than that and 700 yrs won't be required.
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Khilari May 08, 2016 04:57pm
@Azi I agree with you.
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SyedChaudhryGangaDinKhan May 08, 2016 05:08pm
No he would not have achieved this in Pakistan. Don't even think about it.
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Ahmed May 08, 2016 05:36pm
I dont know why many muslims were proud about him it is brits they should be proud of themslves ,it is time for us minorities in muslim countries should also be respected
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Ibrar May 08, 2016 06:18pm
@Nasser Point taken but it seems a little naive to compare Imran Khan with Sadiq Khan. We do not know how incorruptible Imran Khan is but we do know he is politically naive and not completely trustworthy. Being incorruptible alone will not necessarily be enough for a leader until he has clear vision and ability to deal with problem in a shrude manner.
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Bobb Mack May 08, 2016 06:48pm
@N_Saq In a democracy you can not prevent an offspring of a prime minister or of a party leader to participate in politics. Let us decide through our vote to choose our leaders rather than banning and excluding some from the political process. Make the process transparent and clearly define the limit of use of resources.
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Ibrar May 08, 2016 08:52pm
@AK Yes he can become Prime Minister of UK. Remember Obama! If Labour Party continues to be without a suitable white candidate then a further turn of events at some point could well see Khalid Khan running for PM post and could even succeed. I personally think he is such a hard working person and someone who is expected to transform London that he will become a natural focus of attention.
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Kashif May 08, 2016 09:08pm
Great victory for western secular democracy
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Jaisal May 08, 2016 09:14pm
@Josh never...
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nasr May 08, 2016 09:31pm
No, No, No way he could have achieved this stature in Pakistan
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Imran May 08, 2016 10:11pm
@Aziz Doctors and Lawyers are not chosen by people of country. They became those because of their hard work. To represent a country a person need both hard work and support of people. I hope, you understand what Anuj was pointing out here.
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Imran May 08, 2016 10:16pm
@R S Chakravarti It is this mentality which stops a person to rise up. No-one will provide you opportunity, you have to grab. I am a son of farmer but I and my father worked hard. Today, I am working in USA. It all didn't come for me by waiting for someone to provide me opportunity.
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Jagan May 09, 2016 03:46am
@Nasser question here is would Pak elect a bus driver son or Chai wala. By the way India elected a Chai wala.
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Adnan May 09, 2016 09:52am
In every case we need a foreign example, why don't we do something on our won?
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Ravi Vancouver May 09, 2016 12:25pm
@illawarrior Congratulations to Sadiq Khan for his success. Congratulation to Londoners who have voted without consideration of race, religion, sect or ethnicity for right candidate who shall sincerely work for all Londoners. We in Asia should learn and copy them to elect our leaders by voting without consideration of religion, sect, ethnicity so that we get sincere and honest leaders.
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osama May 09, 2016 01:09pm
Election of a political figure from ethnic minority is possible in any democracy of the world, provided the system is fare and people prefer competence over caste and creed. Unfortunately in a country like Pakistan where people prefer to vote for leaders who are from their caste and give more prefernce to their personal interest instead of natinal interest, true and cmpetant leader would never be elected until we change our prferences.
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hammurabi May 11, 2016 10:23am
@Hassan Parvez The people of London are to be appreciated for rising above money,cast and creed.In Pakistan middle income people like Meraj Khalid, Sher Bhatti and many others were elected in 1970 elections. Same goes for PTI's working class candidates in 2013 elections. People of KP elected people on merit basis.So the things are not simple as commented.
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hammurabi May 11, 2016 10:27am
@Khilari People would vote on ethnic basis,Bradri basis even after 100 years in our part of thge world. . Mark my words.
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Vikash May 11, 2016 05:33pm
@Khilari But dont forget that sadiq khan is from a minority there, and here, even the basic rights of electoral representation was given to minorities by a dictator, Pervez Musharraf!! Political governments never bothered to address this issue even, whom we call Democratic..
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nasir malik May 13, 2016 02:30am
A bus Driver in Pakistan must be provided enough bread and butter to bring up his children to become Prime Ministers and Mayors.
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