- 23 Dec 2011
On schedule: Imran Khan arrives with promise of historic rally - 22 Dec 2011
Politicking: Imran Khan sees revolution in new members - 23 Dec 2011
PTI rally update: The drama continues as Mazar-e-Quaid gates close and reopen - 22 Dec 2011
Student convention: PTI will impose ‘state of emergency’ in education’
- RSS
- Today's Paper
- Subscribe
- beta 2.1
Alerts
IK2: Ghost protocol
The mission, Mr Khan, should you choose to accept it, is to pick up the pieces and rebuild the Quaid's original dream.
The writer is executive director special projects at ARY News and was previously director news at Dunya TV (2010-11) and Express News (2006-2010). He can be reached on Twitter @fahdhusain
Imran Khan and Tom Cruise have both arrived in Karachi on a Mission Impossible. Both are expected to draw large crowds this weekend in a bid to break political and cinematic box office records.
But while Cruise already has three successful missions under his belt, Khan is hoping for a a bumper sequel to his Lahore’s mega-smash. Today his big-budget, super-hyped, A-cast production opens up at Mazar-e-Quaid. Watch out for crazed crowds, fluttering flags and motivational music as pumped-up PTI-wallahs revel in the river of rhetoric flowing fast and furious.
Will Karachi ever be the same again? Will Khan succeed in healing the wounds of a city that bleeds? And will today’s rally mark the beginnings of a new political phenomenon in this metropolis? The message that Khan brings to Karachi is a powerful one. It may resonate among Karachiites who have seen their beloved city degenerate into fratricidal bloodletting and state-sponsored mayhem. But today’s PTI rally is not just about Karachi, it is about the possibilities of a new future that lurks in the shadows; a future only yearned for but never within grasp. This yearning is a powerful emotional force, flowing like a raging river just underneath the surface, invisible to the naked political eye, but its roar audible to those who put their ears to the ground.
The mission, Mr Khan, should you choose to accept it, is to reverse the decades of rot that has permeated the power politics of petty patronage in Pakistan. It is such politics which has reduced governance to a game played by a small clique of personalities trapped in their own web of vile vested interests, stifling social structures and perverted personal priorities. It is a game of the few, by the few, and for the few. And it has led to the Quaid’s country being reduced to a heap of dashed hopes, shattered dreams and scattered hope.
The mission, Mr Khan, should you choose to accept it, is to pick up the pieces and rebuild the original dream. A dream in which every Pakistani child goes to school regardless of his and her social and economic status; a dream in which every Pakistani citizen is equal in the eyes of the law, his dignity as human being and citizen preserved and guaranteed by the state. A dream in which justice is blind, and swift; in which the president and the peasant have the same rights and privileges and the general, the judge and the janitor all submit to the law of the land.
The mission, Mr Khan, should you choose to accept it, is to initiate a process of ruthless accountability which nets the fat cats who have gorged on the resources of the state by trampling its writ, and bending the law to their own will. The mission is to create a level playing field for every man, woman and child, and fencing this field with the rule of law. Fat cats — including those in your fold — are not used to competing on a level playing field. Can you, Mr Khan, make them bend to your will?
Easier said than done.
The mission, Mr Khan, should you choose to accept it, is to reform the state itself. The structures of this state, and its institutions, are crumbling through decades of abuse, manipulation and neglect. It is a state which has failed to deliver. Now it has perhaps even been stripped of its capacity to deliver. The reform will have to be deep, and wide, and merciless. Deadwood — regardless of rank and grade — will need to be chopped with a massive chainsaw. Rotting oaks — with roots deep in the system — will have to be felled with swift strokes, and discarded as firewood.
Easier said than done.
The mission, Mr Khan, should you choose to accept it, is to smash all those groups who speak the language of the gun. No society can flourish under the shadows of fear. Decades of demented state policy have promoted the art of war. Ballet is now subservient to the bullet. Citizens cower in fear of the state and its unchecked penchant for unleashing violence. Can you, Mr Khan, bite the bullet and outgun the gunslingers?
Easier said than done.
But with titans like Javed Hashmi on your side, you’ve got the wind at your back.
All this may be Mission Difficult, Mr Khan, but it’s not Mission Impossible.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2011.
Reader Comments (32)
Opinion Latest Stories
IPL and the degradation of cricket
IPL is no longer just cricket; it was entertainment with Bollywood stars, music, drugs, parties all rolled into one.
Slowly, slowly …
Sharif is a known figure to the Indian elite and Delhi knows it can do business with him.
Democracy strikes back
Democracy has now struck back with real vengeance; this time, throwing out the entire ruling political hierarchy.
What really happened on May 11?
May 11 marked a huge democratic transformation and we need to deal with it.
The art of the possible
That people voted for the PTI in what are considered the MQM’s strongholds set off alarm bells.
London attack
The rise of religious fundamentalism in the UK is due to many factors, one of them being lack of assimilation.
An unending scourge
Terrorism appears to have become a feature in our lives that simply refuses to go away.
Drone drift
The truth is that had the state done an efficient job, the drone strikes may never have been necessitated.
Unfair criticism
In order to be an unbiased writer, Shafi should not & simply cannot go on & on against one particular group or party.
Saving fuel — an alternative view
It is absolutely essential the public learns what are exact costs, taxes and subsidies involved when consuming CNG.
Recent Slideshows
More in Opinion
Setting right our railways
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2013 The Express Tribune News Network.
Technical feedback? [email protected]
Wow, nice piece of writing!
Recommend
The mission, Mr. Fahd, should you choose to accept it, let’s give him a chance.
Recommend
A very well-written and thought provoking article. Simply Awesome!
IK not alone but only with his team can ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, provided the mission, TEAM PTI, SHOULD CHOOSE TO ACEPT IT.
Recommend
//But with titans like Javed Hashmi on your side, you’ve got the wind at your back.//
First, Javed Hashmi is not popular in youth, and target voters of IK is youth. Second, PML N itself is very unpopular in Karachi, so anyone from PML N could help in gathering a crowd from the city, Karachi. Third, from my standpoint, I see everyday an old face joining IK’s party, is now encroaching the territory of sms and net jokes and making people questioning his credibility to pave the way for the change, he professes throughout the years. Unless, IK when speaks about change, meant that every politician would be CHANGING his/her party for PTI.Recommend
Inshallah mission will be accomplished
Recommend
Yes we Khan!
Recommend
Dear Fahd,
Yes he can and he will…….InshAllah……but he needs support from everyone, the young, the old , the rich, the poor, everyone has to support him in order to bring this change because this is nit about IK but this about us, thus about Pakistan as whole…….
Recommend
@The Only Normal Person Here.
Javed Hashmi is very popular amongst the youth, let me tell you. ISF, student wing of PTI actually worship his ideals since long despite his association with rival PMLN. He’s an icon for students and student leaders. You need to re-do your research.
Recommend
Inspiring article I must say. With sweat and dedication it is achievable. We are as much capable as any other nation of pulling ourselves up by the bootstraps.
Recommend
We have a very strong belief on Imran Khan that he will do all those things you mentioned here.
Imran Khan is the only Leader who can bring the positive change in Pakistan. It does not matter who is joining PTI. The only matter is who is the Leader of the PTI. If top leadership is honest then all people under that leader will be doing well.
Recommend
Great Article Mr. Fawad – very nicely pieced together and I hope someone from Imran Khan’s team reads this and acts on it (if they do come into power)
God Bless IK.
Recommend
YES WE KHAN!!
Recommend
Sir i agree that we are seeing the old faces again but that is what you call “Politics” and politics is about flexiblity. If imran wont join hands with the old titans he wont be able to win the throne. He alone cant do anything but yes he can command the horses in right direction. With all due respect, you cannot assume his credibilty for right now, lets see where the water flows because when it will come about giving tickets i am sure he will make a wise decision. My stand point is that Its not even imran khan winning the election, its about what he already gave us and that is HOPE which we lost years ago. I dont remember Iqbals’s exact poetry but it was something like that a nation cannot flourish without the ingredient of hope. if he wont take the charge here who will ? You or me ? or we will let same old parties to take charge. Are we sacrificial enough that we are ready to leave our cosy homes n bright career n end up in jails just because we are rebelling against the current government. Friend play on reality ground,we wont. Let him play his part and hope for the best. P.s i am not a great fan imran khan, just bieng positive.
Recommend
Whatever people say, Imran Khan has changed the political atmosphere and he IS the symbol of CHANGE. I was one of the biggest sceptic but recently changed my mind after IK passion and determination on changing the political landscape in Pakistan and by bringing some of the best people (like Tareens who has economic acumen and others), I am so euphoric that I can’t wait for the day when he is in power. He deserves a CHANCE and we ‘the people’ deserves a CHANGE.
Don’t talk about his credibility, IK has always delivered (cricket to his social contributions) and he will give his best for Pakistan. I don’t agree with most of his policies but he is always ready to listen and that is what we WANT…. period
Recommend
Yes! Yes! And just like Tom Cruize of The Mission Impossible, when is IK going to pull off his face mask and show his true(establishment) face?
Recommend
@The Only Normal Person Here.:
Agreed. more looters that join him, the more the change becomes laughable!Recommend
You Nailed it. Amazing Piece ! This is the only reason I want Imran Khan to grab Power to undo all the wrongs that have been brought upon us through the Decades of decadence.
Recommend
The writer is dreaming and pinning hopes on Imran that he cannot deliver with his team.Recommend
Lotta party of the highest order!
Led by a hypocrite of the highest order!
Recommend
@The Only Normal Person Here.
Javid Hashmi has become symbol of democracy, struggle & anti-establishment. Even his opponents respect him coz of it. He would be first hand of choice for any party.
Being a senior leader, he would def help IK to bring match winning team for next Govt of PTI. InshaAllah
Recommend
If Imran Khan (once he comes to power) can’t fix many of the things that are wrong with this nation, then we are doomed as a people.
Recommend
If nothing else Imran Khan has least shaken up the old system that has been sucking the life blood out of Pakistan for decades. He is making the Sharifs, Chaudhrys etc irrelevent. This alone will be a great contribution to Pakistan by Imran Khan. They used to laugh at him. Not anymore. Nice article. Thanks.
Recommend
This is just awesome.
Recommend
I have been the one to ridicule imran’s claim to become a strong party but over the period he has proved that he has the ability to become a strong arty. He has a vision and the strength which doesn’t allow him to deviate from his vision. One thing we have to admit is that what Imran says it might sound mission impossible at the beginning but then we see he makes that mission not-impossible. I am ready to stop ridiculing Imran’s claims based on one major reason i.e. I don’t have any other option
Long Live Pakistan
Long Live its people
Recommend
Fahd,
If you don’t mind pointing out, the problem is the hypocrisy of Pakistani journalists. Why they don’t accept that they bear equal responsibilities and burden for where Pakistan is at the moment. Financially broke and a quagmire of Law and Order.
Not only in the past our Journalists have helped and some after receiving handsome payments as rewards for their efforts have written complementary and supporting articles and conducted TV programs for the benefits of corrupt Politicians of Pakistan. But they continue to do so, even more vigorously now after seeing their masters’ fortunes eroding faster than they could have ever imagine.
Why blame or put undue pressure on Imran? At least he is trying to do something different. Why our intellgencia (bogus I must add) cannot fathom it, now it is Imran’s way or bust. The old system and parties have failed; Pakistan cannot take their burden anymore, before breaking in to smaller pieces. Choices are clear to any intelligent person. Just to clarify, I am not an Imran Supporter.
Recommend
I rather see Imran Khan in power vs the Zardari, Shrief looters….
Recommend
sorry pakistanis dont expect toomuch nobody can save pakistan.look around the moslimworld,people are killed by thireown government.Recommend
Flowery words but I am not sure they signify anything.
Recommend
Dear Fahad.
With all due respect and I have a lot for your opinions,You seem to give the impression as if you think that it is only IK’s responsibility to do all that and we share none.
For your kind information all of us yourself including and, more so because of the privilege you enjoy as a journalist and opinion maker, arel responsible for the hole we find ourselves in presently.
I could be wrong but the impression from the write up is not “Yes we are with you, we will keep and eye on all you do and make sure that you keep your promises and do not stray” but it seems to be a demand from you to IK and it seems you are kind of wanting to sit on the sidelines just to observe as not-responsible-for-this-mess observer.
Dear sir, how can we not share the responsibility for this chaos? How many times have you called out the name of mqm for what it is? How many times have the journalists yourself included, gone to the areas where the killings have taken place and sympathized with the Lawahekeen of the massacres, to say the least?
We all have to be a part of the change otherwise a small remanent of the old evil will remain lurking for a second strike, and we don’t want that. And that my friend is your mission also.
Recommend
Brilliant Fahd!
I hope very little from IK -Still I hope your article would serve him with practicalities –
Recommend
WAIT!!!…what about the self destruct part at the end?
Recommend
We love IK.
Recommend