Pakistan expats welcome poll outcome back home

Times News Service

MUSCAT: The election of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to power was welcomed by Oman’s Pakistani community as yet another milestone in the nation’s history.

Qamar Riaz, Director of the Pakistan Social Club, said, “I feel very happy. As I have said previously, the most important thing is that there should be a clear majority and not a hung parliament. Praise be to God, it is looking like Imran Khan’s PTI party won a simple majority in parliament.”

“However, all other parties are crying foul due to delayed results and some other issues but I do not think much about that. Imran Khan will be the next Prime Minister and we are very excited that at the very least, the democratic process has succeeded in Pakistan.”

“This is the third democratic turnover in the nation’s history and Inshallah we hope the PTI will complete their five years and that our Pakistan will progress towards a better future.”

Nazia Hassan Zaeem, a PHd scholar at Sultan Qaboos University, also told the Times of Oman, “We respect our law enforcement agencies who did a great job in creating a peaceful environment for voters to cast their ballots without fear. Democracy will continue, which I feel is the ultimate solution for every problem in Pakistan. There are a lot of positive expectations from the new government, who will face a lot of challenges. However, Imran Khan is fully capable of bringing change through justice and self-accountability.”

Support

Namreen Akhter Syed spoke of how her 82-year-old grandmother encouraged the family to cast their votes for Imran Khan’s political party.

“We took our grandmother to the polling station as she has voted during every election. This time, she was spurred on to vote for PTI and a ‘new Pakistan’. She is 82 years old and going strong. If Khan lives up to his promises, she might vote for him again in the next elections,” Syed said.

“I voted for PTI because it was the lesser of all evils. This year, our entire extended family voted for PTI –everyone was united in hope. But that does not mean we do not see the gaping holes in Khan’s campaign. I am happy to see there is a strong opposition and politically involved and aware citizens to keep Khan’s government in check,” she added.

Speaking about her voting experience, Syed added, “This was my third time voting. I’ve voted during every election since I’ve been eligible to vote. Voting is a fun family activity in our house. The house is always abuzz with political debates, every adult and child supporting a party of their choice – with a strong mutual respect for each other’s opinions. It’s fun to walk to the polling station, meet neighbours, family and friends, and cast your vote and come out with a feeling of empowerment,” Syed explained.

Excitement

Natasha Shammul Khan echoed Syed’s sentiment, saying, “There was an atmosphere of hope and excitement. A mixture of August 14 and Eid day. I voted for PTI. I feel Imran Khan has given us what we lacked for so long: Hope.”

“My family and I voted for him because we want someone who will put Pakistan first. This was my second time voting. Both times, we voted for PTI. Before 2013, when I would go to vote, I would find that my vote had already been cast. The year 2013 changed that. Imran Khan changed that.”