Daily Times

Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan — rather the “old” Pakistan — once said: Think a hundred times before you take a decision, but once that decision is taken, stand by it as one man.

Imran Khan, the self-proclaimed founder, and guide of Naya Pakistan, perhaps believes otherwise, as his actions chant out loud, “take a decision, and then think a hundred times”.

Khan’s political career started as a movement to fill the gaps in our political system, particularly pertaining to the provision of justice, and elimination of corruption. But today, it appears that Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is well on its way to becoming a part of the very problems that have haunted the nation, and echoed throughout our history.

Khan’s commitment to changing the course of Pakistan’s future by abolishing traditional politics and governance gained him the support of the otherwise politically aloof youth, which constitutes the majority of our population today. The common hapless Pakistani finally saw light at the end of a dark tunnel in the form of the PTI, but then came the U-turns. Over the recent past, Khan’s political U-turns have adversely impacted his credibility as a potential political leader and game changer.

In what has been a longing irony of our political governance, the ruling parties develop only limited constituencies, and present them as historic developmental initiatives, while the rest of the population, deprived of such progress, continues to suffer

Having governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) for five years, all that lies on the table is PTI’s superficial talk of astonishing turnarounds, in the fields of provincial health, education, and infrastructure. Whereas some constituencies might have borne the fruit of voting for PTI in the form of social development, a major chunk of the tall claims and promises made by Khan remain unfulfilled.

In what has been a longing irony of our political governance, the ruling parties develop only limited constituencies, and present them as historic developmental initiatives, while the rest of the population, deprived of such progress, continues to suffer.

Khan, and his PTI army, thus far, have proved to be nothing ‘new”.

PTI, prone to political as well as ideological U-turns, sees in Khan a rather confused individual stuck in choosing between his declared view point, and the ground realities shaping the political sphere of the country. For instance, Khan condemns terrorist attacks, whenever and wherever they take place, but opposes military action against the very perpetrators of such heinous acts, and has been accused of having a soft corner for extremist groups.

To the disappointment of his followers, there has been no denial of the same by the former cricketer either. Can Pakistan afford a leader who favours letting such people roam around freely — people who slaughter innocent citizens, who challenge the writ of the state, and act against the security infrastructure of the country with financial, and military assistance from external invisible hands pursuing their ill agenda?

While he cries out for justice against corrupt politicians, primarily the Sharifs and the Zardaris, Khan continues to carry Jahangir Tareen, despite being declared ineligible by the apex court on the same Panama Papers case.

`Not to leave out the recent inclusion drive flooding PTI with the very corrupt, and decrepit politicians from the very parties that Khan blamed all along in the past for Pakistan’s suffering. Khan at present has no problem with these individuals joining his party.

Moving on, the inception of PTI was a blatant rejection of the old faces, promising to bring forward new era. Well, that seems to be history now as all PTI’s ticket holders for the upcoming elections are the very same faces the public is tired off, and expects nothing from.

As we march up to the General Elections 2018 due next month, let us not forget that a leader is one who can foresee, and create a future. Mr. Khan, unfortunately, has proven himself to be someone who is unfit for the job because of his U-turns.

The politics of U-turns, in the long run, will cost Khan, and PTI their credibility as an agent of change, and designate them as merely status quo stooges. For Khan to prevail in his journey towards the accomplishment of a Naya Pakistan, it is imperative to own, and abide by his once adopted political stances, and principles.

The writer is an Islamabad based freelance opinion writer and columnist

Published in Daily Times, June 22^nd 2018.