Is Shahid Afridi the new Imran Khan of Pakistan? Why not? After all he’s got all that’s needed to take the reins of prime minister’s office. He is handsome and without brains.
Since his retirement from international cricket, the former all-rounder has been in the news for his political aspirations. Someday, he may even become the prime minister of Pakistan–if the ‘selectors’ pick him.
Afridi’s Kashmir card
2019 was a golden year for pretty much all PM-hopefuls in Pakistan. With India diluting Article 370 of its Constitution and bifurcating Kashmir into two Union territories, the field was open for many to build a political career. At one such event to ‘free Kashmir from the clutches of India’, while responding to Imran Khan’s call to stand for 30-minutes in a show of solidarity with Kashmir, Afridi told a triggered crowd about his grandfather Abdul Baqi Sahib, who was given the title of Ghazi-e-Kashmir. Hence, Kashmir belongs to him and his future generations. Why not. His dada and his batting average are a reason enough for India to get scared.
Keeping up with his rhetoric and at par with Pakistani PM Imran Khan, Afridi’s recent statements regarding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him buzdil and narrating how Pakistan served tea to the captured Indian Air Force pilot (Abhinandan Varthaman) who he considers a chooza, stirred quite a storm in a teacup. His statement also triggered a reaction from Indian cricketers who thought Afridi was way out of line. But they don’t know how that fantastic cup of tea will be used to ‘select’ future prime ministers in Pakistan.
Afridi’s love and hate vis-à-vis India has often led him into trouble. During the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, Afridi had said that he gets more love in India than in Pakistan–Pakistanis went crazy. In 2011, the former all-rounder had said that Indians weren’t large-hearted–Indians were offended.
Also read: In Imran Khan’s Naya Pakistan, a minority commission without minority
On a sticky wicket
To be fair, Shahid Afridi’s Kashmir policy is as fluctuating as his cricketing career. Before getting on to the ‘Kashmir Banega Pakistan’ bandwagon officially, there was a time when Afridi thought that Pakistan couldn’t even manage its four provinces, what would it do with Kashmir. But then times change and aspirations change too.
What is the play here? Is Afridi being groomed to become another viable political pawn by those who actually run the country? Nothing out of the ordinary for a country where all political leaders in the past have come through the fauji nurseries with some reaching the highest offices. However, Afridi considers the real rulers of Pakistan as donkeys and horses who need to be made insan ke bachche.
“گدھے گھوڑے مسلط کر دیے ہیں” ? pic.twitter.com/tsrl7xTeC7
— Gul Bukhari (@GulBukhari) April 27, 2020
So what is it that the ‘selectors’ see in Afridi that they couldn’t find in Khan? Just another mouthpiece or a little more than that?
Afridi may have started his political career by raising his voice against ‘human rights violations’, but the issue is beyond his scope. When his heart cries for Kashmiris, we wonder why as a Pashtun, his heart doesn’t ache for his own people. Marred by oppression, violence and enforced disappearances, the Pashtun men, women and children are fighting for justice under the banner of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement. Do we see Afridi standing up for any of the causes that are actually within his reach?
When Afridi visits Kashmir, does he ever raise voice for the lack of development in the region? Probably, raising such issues won’t get him the kind of international attention that a ‘Kashmir banega Pakistan’ roar would bring an aspirational PM. In Pakistan, even a word on the sufferings of Uighur Muslims in China is deleted when it is not in accordance with the state narrative. So the causes an aspiring politician stands up for should match with the ones the state believes in.
To be fair, back in the day, Imran Khan held a stern anti-establishment line. His opposition to the military operation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and to rights abuses in Balochistan was a hallmark of his political career in the early 2000s. All his opposition was diluted when he gave up his causes to come to power.
Also read: Imran Khan is binge-watching Ertuğrul during Covid, recommending Turkish shows to Pakistanis
Reading Afridi’s political mind
About the intellectual bandwidth of Afridi, the less said the better. He shared his political opinions (which might not be his) in his biography Game Changer and praised General Pervez Musharraf. Afridi described former army chief Raheel Sharif as someone who “was one of those stand-up-and-be-counted guys. Always ready to deliver.” Whatever that meant. He also gave us a scoop that Pakistan’s army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa “does better cricket analysis than most commentators and analysts.” Should we be worried that our future prime minister thinks that the army chief’s job is analysing cricket?
Afridi was also fond of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, before he said this: “But he (Sharif) didn’t learn much from all his time in and out of politics. His social media approach of late has been disastrous and has been divisive for Pakistan.” And of course, in all of this, Afridi wouldn’t have heard of a couple of coups here and there, which weren’t disastrous at all.
Under Afridi, Pakistan would be different from what it is now, but if you don’t believe that then you’re a hater. Afridi hoping that his biopic is made with Tom Cruise and Aamir Khan, or promising to end unemployment if elected as Pakistan PM may seem fanciful ideas, but these aspirations are real. The mask should come off and our favourite Lala should announce his political party and tell the world he’s running in the next general elections in Pakistan. Or wait, if he’s still 16 then we’ll have to amend the Constitution. Anyway, our next prime minister will be handsome and ‘16’.
In Persian, it is said: yak na shud du shud. As if one problem wasn’t enough, another rises. The winner of 1992 World Cup is in the PM seat and the winner of 2009 T20 World Cup is next in line. And we are just getting started.
The author is a freelance journalist from Pakistan. Her Twitter handle is @nailainayat. Views are personal.
Knowledge is not essential but character, you all above are fools. I think yours elders did not teach you how to treat with others and you do not know the ABC of discipline
Boyzzzz played well!
Well wat to say about Afridi. For 20 years he was only in his twenties. So wat can you expect from a man who hides his age like a girl .As he is jobless and to get into limelight and to make fast and easy money , wat better than entering Politics. As he was a cricket and close to Imran by bad mouthing about my country India, he is trying to win the heart of Pak Army , He to came to our cricketers with his begging bowl. It runs in their blood to beg, has he forgotten that so soon. Shame on you Afridi to further your political career you can stoop so low. Pok was and is Indians . Wait for the worst from Indian Army soon. You and others chamchas of your PM n Army will disappear from future tragedy soon.
Besides the usual reaction from the readers, positive and negative, one fact cannot be denied that in Pakistan civilian politicians have been marginalized. The present PM has limited understanding or intent to give any direction to country. Anti India stance sells, so he resorted to that. Pakistan is obsessed with Kashmir since 1947, and it’s entire thought process revolved around it pushing the country on the brink of economic catastrophy repeatedly.
If someone critisises the system, he or she is castigated. If Pakistan could think of developing the country economically or socially, the neighborhood cd also prosper. But seems most are with blinkers, limited vision
Ask afridi to cross just Indian border, aterwards he speak anything against modi
It’s clear who is without brains you or Shahid Afridi. If u can’t feel the pain or sufferings of others you are not a human being and u don’t deserve to talk about those who feel it
Hardly surprising to read the content of the article. A web news portal run by upper caste elites, it requires everyone to be subservient to their ideologies for being part of their umbrella. Nyla is the equivalent of Muqtar Abbas Naqvi for The Print.
He accepts that oopar gadhe ghodhe baithe hain… yeh kaun saa gadhe se kummm hai
Mr. writer will you like to make a story on Modi based on facts espacially his degree!!!! ?
Yeah, please do that, and while doing so, please list out his accomplishments too, if you can .
Madam, you must have been paid well by your Indian handlers,
Why are you so allergic from Afridi, since he hates India like any patriotic Pakistani?
Why are you in love with India? Go to India if you already not there.
Dear Abbas, the definition of patriotism is not in hating a neighbor, but in making a worthwhile contribution to the nation and it’s progress. I as an Indian, should focus on my country’s progress and you as a Pakistani should focus on yours.
I and you should not believe in everything we get to hear from sources including the government sources. We should use our judgement as an educated person to distinguish right from wrong and then filter out the distractions before arriving at THE TRUTH.
Please try my advice in the best interest of your own country.
yh nawaz shrif bnyga
Nonsense , low IQ guy with no intellect !!
Good article for Indian gutter press.
In English there is a phrase pissing against the wind. Good article for Indian gutter press.
She belongs to cow extremist’s gang
and she proves it with every non sense she writes..what her real name i think Nandhne patel…from Nandhne o remember asking you lot how is NANDHU ,still missing our fantastic tea,i bet he does:)
Here.. in top comment sections..I saw few guys talk abt the article writter spreading hatred. (which she is actually not) However, these guys who commented..have no explaination or answers as for why afridi’s heart aches “only for Kashmir” but, not for his own people getting killed and brutalised in his own country?! BE REAL. stop faking love for kashmir. its cald land greedy. what is not your, cannot be yours !
Haha I love nailainayat , she played it very well.
If someone ever wanted to see what an indian asset looks like, look at the “author” of this article. Pakistan based but india bias. These people are, unfortunately, plentiful in our country.
Why so much hate for Afridi? If people like you write articles and send wrong message to Indian public how they will react if you can’t write something good don’t write bad things as well..what he is doing or what he will do in his future is none of your business…. Dont try to create hindu Muslim in india. I am Indian and proud to be… Jai hind
Mullah ko jai hai Hind me azan ki ijazat,
Nadan samjhta hai ki Islam hai azad.
Right भारत मे कुछ भड़वे बैठे है जो पाकिस्तान में पैदा होने वालो केलिए सोहर गाने लगते है।
।
You can’t expect much from Print as they have already been hijacked by congress and they will do whatever they want to communalise any issue
There is no hindu muslim in this article or may be its in your mind and your community. Afridi used bad words for Indian PM, but not a matter for you , around
700 years pass muslims didn’t become Indian and unlike Iran,Iraq and many other countries India did not conquered by muslims. You are the thefts, rapits living in my home.
Afridi is on record mocking Hindus,scolding his young daughter for watching Hindu Arti ceremony poisoning her mind ,teaching her hatered against India.
Hindus have woken up and learn to differentiate between their friends and foes and will not be blind or turn their eyes away from harsh truth under the opium of Ganga Jamuni tehzeb which never existed but was only used as Taquiya.
Pity is Indian Muslims have soft corner for Pakistan ,let them have but don’t expect it from Hindus who every day sacrifice their young men on border by the bullets of Afridi’s. Country
Awesome proud of you shadab…..we are Indian first and we all love India.We love our PM and each every citizen. Kudos to you Shadab bhai eid mubarak
Very good article.
This article primarily mocks Afridi…..
You are a indian and you’re taking side of afridi even after hearing his trash talk about india.. Wow what a indian you are..
Ur filth is more fluctuating Nyla than Afridi’s batting ….atleast don’t make a joke of urself..
What a clown
Stop your hatred & biased posts. This is not news but malicious content provoking hatred that Indian criminals have been sowing for years. Mind your language and stop ridiculing others. This is not the way journals should work.
Would you believe it just yesterday I was telling my wife, Shahid Afridi can be a perfect PM after ImranKhan, Under the guidance and assistance of PM and his own ability he will be a proven PM. What a person.
???
Afridi, pagal hai, Afraid of India
One sided hate speech by you madame inayat. Shame on you
There is no hindu muslim in this article or may be its in your mind and your community. Afridi used bad words for Indian PM, but not a matter for you , around
700 years pass muslims didn’t become Indian and unlike Iran,Iraq and many other countries India did not conquered by muslims. You are the thefts, rapits living in my home.
the writer is an indian stooge
No, Shahid cannot be even like PM Imran Khan Sahab.Shahid Afridi is useless fellow without a baby.The P M at least showed his mardanggi by having child.
Wow , what a qualification to be a PM. Pakistan us a trend setter.
Pakistan has good fools for great posts to be appointed as puppets for the Pakistan army.
Never read crappier content than this mindless stuff. Lolxx
He was one of the most stupid cricket player of Pakistan,he never matured as a player nor as a human being,how will he manage a country like Pakistan with defunct intellectual ability, irresponsible attitude -devoid of foresight and a vision for his country,a man who does not understand his religion and islamic history.
U must b beauty without brains and clearly without logic at least in case of Imran khan
Pakistani’s as such are tired and miserable having a totally lunatic cricketer as PM. They certainly don’t want another who is sure to be much worse than Imran khan. Just like his batting skills, afridi is reckless in everything , even when multiplying like rabbits. What kind of a dumb person would have 5 children in such miserable times??!!
Haha they don’t mind because YOU CLEARLY DON’T MATTER.
At least he should think of his wife’s health and well being !!!
Most absurd and idiotic article I have read recently. I think writer is definitely Brainless and full of venom.
The writer is brainless and Afridi is intelligent, is it not?. Now the world knows how “intelligent” you are.
Why do u guys even stay in India. Anything that comes against a mulla.. even if it’s true. U get offended.shows ur mindset. Better go and live thr…
The Print ,The Pakistan similar irrelevant to India .
Dragon had already swallow PAK infuture,a new name CHIPN may emerge ,Go and welcome! Great BAKHSEES awaiting for you.
Another goat of sacrifice in the making. Iran’s days are numbered and army wants another pawn to put on the chair.
Best part was he is hadsome and without Brains LOL.
One speech of Afridis has triggered the whole of India. Bless the writer and her deluded soul
Triggered ni putr amused
Triggered?????
We are amused by your jokers….
I love these guys. I strongly recommend that whole Pakistani cricket team is inducted as ministers in their government. At least they will entertain both Indian and Pakistani public with their antics in these depressing Corona pandemic times. All of us need a strong dose of bawdy comedy by these jokers. This would be PM of Pakistan is just the right choice as Imran Khan has finished his jokes and act.
Good lord what is the world coming to… Shahid afridi can not be like Imran Khan… Seriously!!!
A very biased article.
Both are nonsense not only for Pakistan.but the entire world.
Anyone is infinite times better than teaboy and hippo
Right…any one is better than a 16 year old kiddo and a pimp “randua” Imaran khan
We should get some educated people to come and run the government, then only we can save our country. We tried business man who lotted our country, we tried feudal lords who’s corruption had no limits, we tried army retired who had no vision and currently we are trying a sports man and God bless my country.
The only way to prosper is to have educated people running the government with Islamic laws implemented and followed religiously.
Like Arvind Kejriwal, CM of New Delhi.
True, Afridi can be next PM of Pakistan as he has similarity of Imran, both being brainless. Imran’s Naya Pakistan failed miserably in all respects and what would be Afridi’s Naya Pakistan? The God maybe crazy?
Another reason to give indian’s a cry for next 5-10 years , I love nailainayat
Gr8 to see, all indians are against imran khan, He is one of the best PM pak ever had, no wonder i nvr ever heard any speech against, zardari n nawaz, most corrupt leader… Imran khan is defeting india, diplomaticaly, specificaly modi, india was once knwn as biggest democrat country but now its a land of RSS, their first step towards grtr hind is kashmir….. But wait dnt forget ur surrounded by muslim countries, pak, afg, bang n ofcourse india itself hv lot of muslim who r tryn to prove thr loyalty towards india…. Shame on all indian muslims who nvr raise thr voice for kashmiris……wake up or ur turn comes…. Jag jaoo is se pehle ke tumhari ma behno pe wo waqt ajaye… Jo bechare kishmiri pe aya hey
Cheap level of reporting. Will get a great success from cheap readers. Keep it up
..correctly said & analysed…!
The writer seems heavily influenced by India and the article seems like a paid content and nothing else.
@Naila Inayat
What on earth are you smoking sister? ?
Gobar k cigarette
Monkeys are replaced by donkeys and vice-versa. Nothing surprising.
Remember we left all donkeys in india, when we came to Pakistan.
Yes, you are right and India is still struggling because of them.
Chill….the progress of each of the country since then proves where the real donkeys are & and going to remain.Chill … the world also knows where the real donkeys have moved…
That’s not what Shahid Afridi thinks, apparently.
As an Indian, I am not entirely in disagreement but partly, yes. What you failed to mention is that you left them behind who actually cried hoarse for the two nation theory but cleverly never crossed the border, rather pushed you out to one hell of a nation (a failed State?). Now you think again as to who is the real donkey. Good for you any way, you joined your own ilk in large number, who sadly never welcomed you with open arms. — Ravindra Parasnis
Not just in India but even in Pak, uses Kashmiri topic to showcase their heroism ?
Just like Sidhu can become the Prime Minister of India !!!!
At least on one count he is correct, the bit of Kashmir that is actually “azaad” is because of the tribals who went to war when called to arms
You people @print.india allow a Pakistani author to write an article? Are Indian journalists not good? Don’t you know that every Pakistani has anti Indian mindset? Shame on you
Every Pakistani has anti Indian mindset”
Nonsense Mr Rishi ! Outside of the sub-continent, Pakistanis and Indians get along very well. I live in Europe and have had Pakistani doctors and even Pakistani neighbours. When people let go of the hate that politicians back in both these countries preach, they quickly realise the benefits of co-operation and friendship. Indeed, one of my absolute best friends whilst I was a student at the University of Oslo, Norway was a chap from Pakistan. Both our fathers were military men for their respective countries. But his father was presumed killed in action in the 1965 Indo-Pak war whilst my father made it back home. That did not prevent us from becoming the best of buddies.
Indian journalists do write for Pakistani publications whilst Pakistani journalists write for Indian publications – no harm in reading content from men of letters regardless of where they come from. For instance, Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto (1912-55) who moved to Pakistan (1912-55) was a prolific writer of poignant short stories of the folly of Partition. I would recommend you read Maanto’s fantastic short story Toba Tek Singh – reckoned by BBC* as one of the 100 top stories that shaped the world of literature.
So Mr Rishi, stop braying and start reading.
* bbc.in/36loJGN
This agency the print is stupid
Ispe to hum thooke bhi na hi..