U-turn is a hallmark of great leadership: PM

Premier Imran faces backlash over his remarks that 'true leaders take U-turns'

In hot water for his U-turn remarks, Prime Minister Imran Khan hit back at his critics on Sunday saying a U-turn to reach one's objective is the hallmark of great leadership.

“Doing a U-turn to reach one's objective is the hallmark of great leadership just as lying to save ill-gotten wealth is the hallmark of crooks,” he wrote on Twitter.

Doing a U-turn to reach one's objective is the hallmark of great leadership just as lying to save ill-gotten wealth is the hallmark of crooks.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 18, 2018

Last week, the PM Imran had defended himself against the opposition’s allegation of taking U-turns, saying that the person who does not take decisions according to the situation is not a true leader.



Talking to columnists at the Prime Minister Office, the premier had said that after completing the first 100 days in the office, the government would unveil an all-inclusive and comprehensive programme for the country, covering education, health, poverty reduction and other sectors.

“One who doesn’t take decisions according to the demand of the situation is not a true leader. [Adolf] Hitler and Napoleon [Bonaparte] would not have suffered losses if they had taken U-turns,” he had said. However, referring to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Khan said Sharif did not take a U-turn in court but he lied in the National Assembly.



The premier is currently on a day-long trip to the UAE where he has met Abu Dhabi’s crown prince.

The purpose of the visit is to seek billions of dollars in aid as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) becomes unusually tough on Pakistan on the fiscal and monetary fronts, which is hindering early conclusion of talks.

The premier’s delegation includes Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Advisor to PM on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood and others.