Daily Times

The Karachi Press Club was once bustling with journalists and the likes with speculations and conspiracy theories taking rounds instigate by cricket icon’s entry into Pakistani politics. Soon after Imran Khan left the press club premises on a pleasant 1996 evening, a former editor-boss whispered in my ear, “Now you will see the Jewish money would be pumped in to Pakistan’s education system and the politics.” (Referring to Khan’s billionaire English father-in-law, Sir James Goldsmith)

Circulating conspiracy theories and winding hopes pinned in Khan’s breakthrough in Pakistani politics as a breeze of fresh air transpired, and so does his field-education in national politics remain an unending ordeal even after two decades. Can Imran Khan become the next prime minister of Pakistan? The question is huddled with a number of challenges that Khan’s candidacy for the top slot faced with, a rational mind dare ask.

Inspired by the speculations taking rounds, a leading national monthly magazine published a cover story titled: ‘The Third Farce’ back in 1997. Nullifying hopes of many hopefuls, the story evaluated an emerging third political force as farce by weighing pros and cons that Khan walks along.

Two major issues in particular prioritise the interest of major powers in the geo-strategically cursed region. China seeks Pakistan’s military to guarantee and lead an over $50 billion dollar engorging China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). While safety of Pakistan’s nuclear assets concerns an exasperating West amid the entry of religiously radicalised forces in the mainstream national politics.

What’s most disturbing is Khan’s unpredictable yet inflexible attitude on serious issues and the missing essential of rationality, apparently a major impediment in PTI’s progress towards becoming a mainstream political force

Both Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) alleged corruption, plus Sharif brothers’ leaning toward India eroded their political domain and as for now, have brushed them aside as spent forces.

Despite all the corruption allegations, the PPP strongly pivot on over a dozen enlightened comrades who after the reign of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto seasoned in politics. Their lens observing national politics scenario is matured enough to see though various layers of political development during the past four decades. Other mainstream political and politico-religious parties hold a few veteran stalwarts as well. This adds to sanity and confidence in them which helps their parties’ ascent to power while keeping the vital issues remaining in the bigger national, regional and international picture. Khan’s PTI appears to be deficient of such vital elements to a great deal of an extent for his generally uncompromising posture. His party certainly enjoys that bubbling burst of fresh blood and enthusiasm. However, the politicians in the party fold are either turncoats or are in to seek adventure and/or secure their own business interests.

On the leadership traits, rigidity and an over-emphasis on shamanism and being too superstitious in decision making cast dark shadows over Imran Khan’s ability to handle serious matters that require abstemiousness.

Second, PTI’s some two decades of political history reflects its leadership and the cadre are still in a constant flux of initial political education process.

Third, a forsaken love for western norms and lifestyle of the past is still glued with Khan. He explores his lost identity in the tribal values and taboos and appreciation for the system that might inspire his local vote bank, but rings alarm bells both abroad and power quarters at home.

Referred to some as ‘Taliban Khan’, a sudden somersault triggered by Khan’s paradoxical mindset allows to tolerate exploits of the Taliban and the kind while enjoying kicks in fanfare of his political rallies necessitate to keep the interest of youths intact. The level of ‘trust’ essentially requires a strong and sane rational leadership to safely steer the country through the developing scenarios viz the CPEC and safety of nuclear triggers.

What’s most disturbing is Khan’s unpredictable yet inflexible attitude on serious issues and the missing essential of rationality, apparently a major impediment in PTI’s progress towards a rationale mainstream political force. Mere manoeuvring as a pressure tactics tool doesn’t seems to help it qualifies to hold the reins of the state.

Khan’s politics might thrive in a smaller unit experiencing and learning governance like in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), but that too still needs to qualify as a success story of the political acumen.

Yet the possibility remains, if saner American minds can elect Trump to presidency, anything can happen in Pakistani politics for good or bad. Cracks in the empire have to instigate from somewhere.

The writer is senior journalist and former Political Affairs Adviser to the US Consulate General in Karachi

Published in Daily Times, January 12^th 2018.