Daily Times

What will Pakistan’s next Prime Minister Imran Khan do? Will Imran’s personality be the driving force behind his decisions or the people that envelop him?What sort of a Pakistan will he make?What will be the domestic and foreign policy orientation under his premiership?Would there be a radical departure from the previous government practices? And above all, will Imran be able to fulfil all of his promises and pledges? Apart from the criticism and allegations of unprecedented rigging and irregularities – the 2018 General Elections are being dominated by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and it is in the position to form governments in the centre, Punjab and Khyber Puktunkhwa.

A leader always has a doctrine which he intends to implement through his policies and strategies.In politics and warfare the importance of this doctrine is undeniable since it acts as a bridge between policy and action.Arguably, Khan’s world view is deeply instrumental and is strongly pivoted upon realpolitik. The manifestation of this pragmatic aspect of Khan’s personality can be seen in the admission of ‘electable candidates’ regardless of their previous character, political affiliations and corruption charges – into PTI.

The linchpin of the Imran doctrine is to make Pakistan a welfare state rooted upon the ideal State of Medina whose foundations were laid down by Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). Political pundits argue that Imran Khan is deeply emotional and his decisions and actions are being driven by feelings.However for Imran Khan, his objective has remained the same since the formation of PTI back in 1996; to establish the rule of justice in Pakistan. The doctrine also envisages juridical equality for all while ensuring good governance and administration. Furthermore it intends to bring investment from overseas Pakistanis to overcome fiscal and budget deficits and create a suitable environment for trade and business,whilst bringing tax reforms to strengthen the economy. Imran’s doctrine also emphasizes simplicity in all conduct, especially corporate and political. The doctrine aspires to invest much on human development.On foreign policy Imran appeared a little soft and it seems that relations with China, Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and especially India are likely to remain the same as before.

The Imran Doctrine is apparently pivoted upon ‘institutionalism’ and ‘reformation’ and focuses on its domestic implementation. It visualizes radical change by adopting a simple lifestyle especially for the ministers, politicians and parliamentarians. This view is neither realistic nor feasible and above all none of the aforementioned stratas of society seem willing to accept it – proposing such matters is one thing but the men who encircle Imran Khan are multi-millionaires including Imran himself. This narrative of simplicity is simply oratorical.The strange thing in the Imran doctrine is that tearing down the walls of luxury government buildings, using infrastructure and establishments for hotels and educational institutions – sounds like a socialist approach.

Through an assessment, one can predict here that Imran may get a taste of his own medicine and face the same intense political agitation, that he inflicted on the previous PPP and PML-N regimes

A clear dichotomy remains between theory and practice – rhetoric and reality – and PTI is no exception. The main obstacles for the implementation of this doctrine are the very people which flank Imran Khan and have financed PTI right through the 2011dharnasand electoral campaign. The majority of PTI elected members are either former members of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) or Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP). These powerful people exercise a certain level of influence over Imran and he simply cannot escape them. Whatever Imran may try to do – it will remain highly overshadowed by his comrades.

Also read: Does Khan rupture the dark nexus?

Apparently, the four largest challenges which will confront Imran Khan are;Pakistan’s fragile economy, The international image of Pakistan, Pakistan’s relations with its immediate neighbours including water and border issues, and,lastly Pakistan’s role in the war on terror.Imran’s narrative on these matters is not captivating. His weak statement on India and the desire to have composite dialogue is pretty hard to turn into reality – since the Modi government only understands the language of resistance and power.

It appears that, Imran Khan’s grand strategy is vague; nonetheless, he has a doctrine that is predominantly tactical in nature. Khan is very likely to face a stern opposition since previously he did everything in his capacity to malign almost every political party in Pakistan. It can be assessed and predicted here that Imran may get the taste of his own medicine and face the same intense political agitation, that he inflicted on the previous PPP and PML-N regimes. How he will oppose them will be interesting to watch- since in his own words these activities are part and parcel of democracy and they beautify the democratic culture.It is prayed here that the new political setup may do the needful for Pakistan and will work to strengthen democracy, justice, freedom and equality – the core ideas and principles of Prophet Muhammad’s (S.AW) State of Medina.

The writer can be reached at mmab11@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, August 4^th 2018.