KARACHI:
Globally many politicians have adopted populist approaches to appeal to the masses who feel that their concerns are ignored by the ruling elite. However, populist narratives are superficial and hold little truth. They are forged in a way that appeals to the emotions of the common man, which is what former Prime Minister Imran Khan has done to draw mass support. With his anti-elite and religious rhetoric, Khan influenced people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
His repeated claims of a foreign conspiracy against him and labelling dissidents as traitors helped increase public sympathy for him. Resultantly, his supporters appeared to have entirely forgotten about the failures of his government including surging inflation and unemployment. It is worth mentioning here that Khan amended the State Bank of Pakistan Act 1956 to meet the International Monetary Fund agreement. He quite literally surrendered the autonomy of the country’s central bank to a foreign financial institution. But the common man is moved by his outspoken assertions, on which his political approach is based.
His past sports accomplishments coupled with cultural attachment have made him an international sensation, which has increased his popularity and widened his vote bank. However, it does not help improve the country or resolve the public’s problems. The public must critically analyse his performance over the last three years and then determine their vote for him. Instead of simply falling for his words, the people must examine what he delivered. More importantly, there must be an end to this political blame game and allegations of treachery, which are damaging the social fabric and brewing intolerance.
Usman Torwali
Swat
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2022.
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