PTI’s policy shift

By bringing real change in K-P, PTI can set an example of what can be achieved through governance

Perhaps, if Imran Khan had thought the way he is now thinking immediately after his party, the PTI assumed power in the province, life for the millions of people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) would have been much better than is the case today. But good decisions are welcome whenever they come, and Imran Khan’s announcement after his party’s Dharna Convention in Islamabad on January 18 that he will not be resuming his street protest campaign in order to allow the government to focus on tackling the challenging problem of terrorism will be welcomed by most. The PTI chief also said soon after that his party would now be concentrating on building a “new K-P”, beginning with a cleanliness drive and moving onto improving educational institutions, hospitals and other facilities in the province.

It is possible that Imran Khan got a hint of what was needed and what the people wanted during his recent visit to Peshawar. But certainly, bringing real change in the province the PTI governs would set an example of what can be achieved through governance, set an important example to all and win support for the PTI well beyond K-P. There is then much to be gained from the strategy, and of course, it is also true that our country for the present is desperately in need of stability and calm. A new round of street protests would not at this time benefit it.

Imran Khan has adopted what seems to be the right approach. But he has made it clear that the matter of the alleged rigging in the 2013 elections has not been forgotten. We must hope the government will not forget it either. This should not be taken as an opportunity to abandon the matter as that is also of importance. The judicial commission agreed on must be set up as swiftly as possible. There has been too long a delay already. The poll rigging issue is an important one — just as is the task of getting the affairs of K-P in order, and proving to all that it is indeed possible, through good will and competence, to offer the people what they need most of all. We now wait for what we hope will be real change in K-P.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2015.

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