KARACHI:
In an attempt to appear revolutionary, Imran Khan announced plans to quit all legislative assemblies. This seems to be another ploy to salvage his image among his supporters who are now growing tired of the long march and constant unrest. The system is indeed corrupt, but Imran Khan was in office for nearly three years and brought little change during that time. Some believe that Khan wants to pressurise the government into holding early elections.
If anything, Khan has proven to be a perfect destabiliser because the country is reeling in an economic crisis and inflation is crushing the masses, yet he is bent on early elections. Earlier, when the floods ravaged parts of the country with many still suffering from the consequences, Khan momentarily paused his political activities but remained focused on his early election agenda. One cannot help but wonder what Khan plans to do after exiting the assemblies. Does he plan to dismantle the entire democratic system and build it from scratch? If he wins the elections, will he overhaul all state institutions? If he fails to bring drastic changes after coming to power, his claims will prove hollow.
He failed to undertake structural reforms when he was in power and blamed his predecessors for his failures. If he gets a second chance, he must deliver his promises. Instead of blindly following him, his supporters must hold him accountable and demand transparency from him.
Gulsher Panhwer
Johi
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2022.
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