![imran khan addressing a political procession in chakswari azad kashmir express news screen grab imran khan addressing a political procession in chakswari azad kashmir express news screen grab](https://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/1144523-ImranKhan-1468871858.jpg)
He lauded those in Turkey that stood against those attempting a coup, but said the opposite would happen if there was such an eventuality in Pakistan and that the populace would rise up to distribute sweets of welcome to the soldiery should they make a takeover. The question of whether his statements amount to treason in his advocacy of a military overthrow of an elected government, we will leave to constitutional lawyers, but questions need answering as to whether Mr Khan is fit for purpose given the shallow petulance of his remarks. This is a chucking-the-teddies-around-the-playpen moment, not a piece of inspired statesmanship in difficult times.
![](https://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Whether-his-statements.jpg)
The government has rightly taken a drubbing in these columns over the years, and no analyst worthy of the title would say that Pakistan is a paradigm built of democratic virtues because it most certainly is not. It is ramshackle, inefficient in innumerable aspects, hugely corrupt and on occasion an international laughing-stock — but it remains upright for all its faults, is not about to implode and is a long way from the potential failed-statehood of just five years ago. Yes, President Erdogan of Turkey has performed something of a miracle economically and won two elections in quick succession, but at a terrible cost to his nation’s social fabric. It is a country ripped asunder, and Imran Khan would do well to ponder why it was that an attempted coup was mounted because it was not out of love for Mr Erdogan that is for certain. Mr Khan has served his country — and democracy — ill on this occasion, and not for the last time we suspect.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 19th, 2016.
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