Why I don't support Imran Khan

Khan's policies of negotiating with the Taliban, alienating US will leave us terrorized and/or on the path of N...

Umer Pirzada November 03, 2011
This is not the way a revolution happens - with unquestioning obedience and a blind following; this is how cults are made. That is exactly what we have happening here, much like the cult following of the Bhuttos, Imran Khan is cultivating the image of a one man show (much like his cricketing years I might add).

How can he stand out from the rest when he follows the same policies? For those that don’t know, the PTI does not hold internal elections, Imran Khan is the president for life and office bearers are appointed.

If we tolerate his pandering now how can we expect him to deliver on his promises in power?

You are empowering him to become a hostage of the 'powers that be' in the future. He has consistently failed to come up with a rational platform of his own, instead he latches onto one issue after the next emulating the Jamaat-e-Islami mullahs in a manner typical of a born again Muslim. This shows a distinct lack of vision which is systemic in our political system, so again how is Imran Khan better or different?

The immediate answer is of course 'corruption’.

I concede, that with the bar this low he can’t be worse, but as for his promises of bringing an end to corruption, just take a look at who he's been bringing in to the party recently. You can ignore the developments if you want, but just consider this scenario:

Let’s assume for a moment that Imran Khan becomes the Prime Minister - the only way he is will get there is by tapping into the rightist conservative vote bank of the PML-N, PML-Q  and JI plus the poor, under-educated masses who also follow the conservative line on 'controversial issues' -- the urban educated middle class simply isn’t enough in numbers. He is beholden to them. Now keep in mind these people have traditionally voted for the opposition parties in the Imran Khan government (PPP, PML-N and PML-Q) so he goes after their members and leaders, they cry politically motivated persecution just as they did under Musharraf and mobilize these same people against him. If you don’t believe me you need to read up on our political history.

At this stage Imran Khan has lost his mandate and is forced to either back down or take the more forceful measures as might befit a dictator. The latter approach seems to suit his character type more. So, Khan is now in a classic catch-22; he alienates people further no matter what. His only option for political survival is to compromise just as General Musharraf had to do.

Now assume that I'm wrong.

Imran Khan manages to deliver in this aspect - how is he going to run the country?

With his foreign policy of alienating the US and negotiating with extremists?
WRITTEN BY:
Umer Pirzada A partner with Pacific Computers Limited who is working for the preservation of human rights with various NGOs
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (194)

sun | 1 year ago | Reply someone said it way before in 2011 you were so right mate
Kashif | 12 years ago | Reply There are number of rational issues to consider. I have no issue in him leading the nation, all be it who has ever asked the masses who they want as their leader. Imran is sure to alienate the rural masses of Pakistan as the cricket cult does not feed people. Facebook is not the engine of change in Pakistan, so the real test will come in the village constituency. Is he going to dismantle the entire bureaucratic machinery as he has to get work done through them? If that is the case then good luck to him. Musharraf's experiment of sending young 17 and 18 grade officers abroad for higher degrees backfired when he assumed that that these officers will come back and serve as non-corrupt individuals. Some of them never returned and the majority who did got not only higher salaries but also carried on their corrupt ways denting the country in not one but two ways. The grass root concept of "nationalism" has eroded and the common man does not even stop for the red light in the cosmopolitan cities. Is Imran going to act as a police constable to control the unruly Pakistani mobs on the streets. This is just a small example in the list of so many things. Those of you who want to see nationalism in practice should see Chinese children speaking their language in foreign lands and going back to China to help out in any ways they can. They do not wait for miracles but make things happen. - What is he going to do with tons of government officers who enjoy foreign nationalities and send their kids and black money abroad taking years off to settle in foreign lands and coming back not only to get their promotions but also the arrears in pay. Pakistan for them is a heaven that provides "ghost jobs" as well as foreign passports. Those who do believe should visit some leading foreign cities and see how much property is owned by these Pakistanis in the Condo and real Estate business. And what about those officers who have their businesses in Dubai and they work 2 days in Karachi in Karachi Building Control Authority and then take care of their businesses in Dubai. What a JOKE!! How is Imran Khan going to ensure that he dismantles the gas, water, electriciy mafia in the country. Which foreign people will come and do this. Does he have an army that is going to come and do this at gun point or does he really think he can change this all in 5 years. Those who are comparing him to Bhutto should know that Bhutto's good work fizzled out with him when he was removed from the scene. I Have highlighted only some of the issues facing the country and some commentator is bound to criticize me as being small minded in highlighting these issues. but belive me these are the facts on the ground. -- We should have a rational approach to issues rather than emotional outlooks. After all Cricket is a supposed to be a gentleman's game, I am not too sure about Pakistani politics though.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ