Karachi: Imran Khan, the cricketer-turned-politician who has made headlines on front pages in Pakistan in recent months, has also attracted the attraction of foreign media.
Newspapers abroad gave much importance to the public meeting Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf organised on Sunday in Karachi which many said was one of the biggest held in recent years.
Guardian reported about 100,000 people attended the public meeting which strengthened the perception that his strength in the political arena is increasing by the day.
The newspaper said the reasons for his rising popularity is his stance against corruption and the United States’ war on terror.
Guardian said Khan is very popular in urban middle class and most of the youngsters that attended the Sunday gathering wore western dresses.
The British newspaper said his rising popularity is a cause for concern for US because of his criticism of US policies, particularly the drone attacks in Pakistan’s tribal areas.
Guardian, however, said it was not clear how much electoral success he can achieve.
Telegraph, another British newspaper, said the Karachi meeting has made Khan’s position in Pakistan’s politics more prominent.
Los Angeles Times called the public meeting in Karachi impressive and said Khan has emerged as a force in the anarchic political situation of Pakistan.
It said Imran’s campaign has gained momentum at a time when the ruling PPP is facing a lot of problems. The newspaper said Khan’s pace shows he can win the elections.
