Imran Khan won't be a pro-Western PM: paper

Washington, Jan 27 (ANI): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan would not be much of a Western supporter, a Sydney Morning Herald editorial has said.

Since Imran Khan switched to politics in 1996, his ideologies were reportedly spotted to be on a similar line like that of Pakistani military officials.

According to a column in the Sydney Morning Herald written by Vidya Sharma, evidences suggest that the Pakistani military has adopted Khan as its preferred candidate.

In November Khan was in China as Beijing's guest. Given their very close ties, it is most unlikely that China would not have consulted the Pakistani Army before inviting him.

Many speculate that Khan's educational background and his marriage with English heiress Jemima Goldsmith could be indicative of being a pro-Western politician. The writer, however, suggests a different view.

Khan is reportedly very close to Lt. Gen. Hamid Gul, a venomously anti-Western former head of Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI. Lt. Gen. Gul oversaw the recruitment, training, and provision of funds and safe houses to mujahideen during Moscow's occupation of Afghanistan. Later, he played a central role in the emergence of the Taliban. He reportedly continues to maintain strong ties with the Taliban and also with such terrorist organisations as Al-Qaeda, the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and the Haqqani network.

Gul's ideology and pro-Wahabbist leanings continue to dominate the thinking of most of the ISI and Pakistani armed forces officers.

Khan supported Musharraf's coup against Nawaz Sharif, and reports suggest that Musharraf, at one stage, wanted him to be a part of his cabinet. However, the plan failed to work out when Khan adamantly demanded the prime minister's post.

Khan slammed the US for its operation against former al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, but avoided making comments on how he was secretly living in Abbottabad.

The writer further says that the Pakistani Army also likes Khan because he is untainted by corruption, something that currently the citizens want to see in their leader. (ANI)