By A. Hafiz
The most famous statement ever attributed to Abraham Lincoln is, “You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time”. Elaborating it further, any charismatic leader as we have seen in remote and recent history, cannot fanaticize people with Charisma all the time rather the economic and performance in governance set the path forward for any nation’s progressive future. History tells us that charismatic leadership only can mobilize people for some set period of time but for longer term stability and sustainability, it definitely needs a strong and viable team of experts who could deliver.
Imran Khan announced his cabinet soon after taking oath. His choice for ministries was criticized as he came into power on the slogan of Change and New Pakistan but most of his appointees were previously ministers during the era of Pervez Musharraf and some served in PPP government which followed Musharraf era. He was criticized by supporters and critics for not bringing the real change that was embodied by the PTI. Some supporters defended Khan since the PTI was in a coalition government and needed “electable” to win the election.
Few days before the elections were announced, PTI unveiled first 100 days plan for the future government. The plan included creation of a new province in Southern Punjab, reconciliation with alienated Baloch leaders, development of Karachi, poverty alleviation, and betterment of economy overall. The plan included a big development package for FATA to which other provinces will contribute three percent of their share. The newly created province in Southern Punjab would be given complete autonomy, made an agricultural hub, an economic package would be announced, and the young will be provided with job opportunities by setting up a food processing industry.
The promise was made to implement the job quota reserved for Baluchistan. Federal government would announce a development package for Karachi after the completion of six point agenda which includes betterment of law and order, strengthening of local government, operation against extortionists and China cutting mafia, a housing infrastructure plan, setup of a public transport system, and culmination of militant sections of political parties. To improve overall economy of the country, it was promised that 10 million jobs will be created, manufacturing sector will be resuscitated, small and medium-sized businesses will be developed fast, and private sector will be assisted in building five million houses. Reformation of tax administration, increase in tourism, transformation of state-owned enterprises, and overcoming of the energy challenges were also promised. Improvement of agriculture sector was promised through increasing profitability and access to finance for farmers. Farmers will also be provided value added incentives, livestock sector, and produce markets will be improved. National Water Policy will be improved and acted upon. Through this plan, it was promised that national security would be revamped by creation of four national security organizations.
Before elections, Khan’s charisma and his heart-winning statements quickly won the hearts of the nation. His vision of a new Pakistan was inspirational although too idealistic. He motivated the youth and successfully indulge them in country political affairs. However, he also did a lot of negative politics to win popularity.
The central theme of his election campaign was to recklessly blame and mortify the existing Pakistani politicians. Against them, he popularized words like “looters and “Corrupt”. He brilliantly played the trump card of the corruption cases against the Sharif family (previous government). They were blatantly exposed in front of the nation so that the nation would choose Khan’s party in the next elections. He also spread massive negativity against PMLN. Khan made the people believe that the solution for every problem was getting rid of Nawaz Sharif and people simply believed him. Now that Nawaz is no more in Pakistani politics, the exaggeration of Khan’s narrative has been exposed. His vision of Naya Pakistan also proved to be dramatically false. It is a hard fact that politics is much more than leading huge charity campaigns, playing cricket, giving tough looks, and inspiring people with eloquence and rhetoric’s. Khan’s assertions and tall claims quickly faded away after the elections because they were never pragmatic. For the sake of a common man, just think if a person having no experience of administration or governance directly became the prime minister of a crisis-stricken country, without adequate public support, without a proper team, and without a proper plan. What we should expect next to happen?
Punjab CM: A very Wrong Selection: Probably the worst decision done by Imran khan is the appointment of Usman Buzdar as CM of country’s powerful Province. Even a school student can tell by just having a look that Buzdar cannot perform. But somehow in IK’s mindset, somewhere Buzdar fits well. Buzdar has been given a few months to improve his performance, has in recent weeks been very active in making political statements and holding press briefings about the “performance” of his government.
Everyone in the PTI regime and the ruling party itself, except PM Imran Khan, feels that the Chief Minster Buzdar has been given a huge responsibility that is definitely ” way beyond his capacity”. In fact, Buzdar was facing a tough time in each of his meetings with PM Imran Khan because the premier is his only supporter. Also, the top leadership of the former ruling party, the PML-N, has also prevented its political workers from criticizing the Punjab CM since it was believed that as long as Buzdar ruled the province, the party would continue benefiting and the PTI suffering. In my assessment, the ‘establishment’, too, is unhappy with PM Imran Khan’s choice.
PTI’s Failures:
Now since it has been almost three years in power, PTI has quite certain failures in its dashboard.
– Incompetency & almost no experience in governance:
– It was obvious that PTI and its leadership came without any particular exposure and background resulting a huge chaos at starting period of power, where no one knows what to do. It resulted in creating an administrational crisis where no timely decisions were made to run the rules of business.
– Huge magical claims during election Campaign & U turns:
PTI government and Imran khan made huge claims in the election
campaign like 90-day reforms, discouraging financial support from Arab
countries but then reached out to them for financial assistance,
Discouraging IMF assistance initially and then decided to do the same.
– Accountability Vs Revenge:
Although accountability slogan is very appealing to the deprive sections of the population, but the way it was conducted by IK’s PTI, it was very much visible to an ordinary Pakistani and even international observers that huge Cut & Paste is going on at the background. Result is the accountability slogan seen be on backfoot and credibility of prestigious institutions comes at stake.
– Corruption Scandals:
Even though PTI came to power by crying anti-corruption slogan, yet it couldn’t save itself not involving in insiders trading, corrupt practices, kickbacks and mismanagement.
PTI’s Positive Moves:
The only portion I see where PTI performed a lot better is the international arena.
– Internationalization of Kashmir & Exposing Modi:
In fact, this domain went very well with Imran khan as he really exposed Modi and his fascist regime’s continuous efforts targeting Indian Muslims especially Kashmiri people after revoking article 370.
– Leading role in UNGA:
Imran khan really made an impressive speech in UNGA advocating the people of Kashmir and warned against Indian ambitions and Islamophobia.
– Foreign Policy Paradigm Shift (NATO to SCO):
Under a significant policy shift, PTI contributed in switching the Paradigm shift from traditional NATO alliance towards SCO (especially Russia and China). Although this step was already taken by previous Nawaz Sharif government but PTI continued and contributed in this paradigm shift.
– Initiating Non-Arab Islamic Bloc:
Imran khan has tried his level best to mobilize non-Arab countries with help from Erdogan and Mahathir Mohammad. The move came right after Saudi and UAE refusal to use OIC for condemning India on Kashmir issue. This move however didn’t went well but at least created a realization amongst Arabs that such a move is possible if such sentiments ignored.
A Realistic Path Forward:
I truly believe that Pakistan needs a leadership that could go with establishment, ever changing geo-politics, strong economic agenda and very strong credentials on governance. The continuous political chaos in country in the name of accountability (rather more likely a revenge sort of politics) is not serving well to the progress of the country. Also, our establishment must keep in mind that such political bashing by PTI and targeting selected individuals will create certain political fragments that enemy can use as a hybrid warfare tool. We have to avoid such situation at all cost. Pakistan is a not and MUST not be a test laboratory for newcomers for experimentation. Rather try with individuals who have track record of performance and administration.