Imran Khan is the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. That much is understood. Indeed, his taking oath is viewed as little more than a mere formality. This partly explains why the interim set-up took it upon themselves to accord him VVIP protocol; including the deployment of some 230 police personnel along the route from his personal residence to a five-star hotel in the capital, the venue for a parliamentary meeting convened by his party. As well as the 350 security personnel stationed at Bani Gala. But, of course, Kaptaan is not yet the head of government. Thus the Lahore High Court (LHC) is right to take notice of the matter; holding the caretaker regime responsible for this misstep. Naturally, there is a difference between security detail and protocol for the exceptionally important. Thus far, Imran appears to be successfully distinguishing between the two. He has, in fact, vowed to do away with what he sees as excessive privilege; beginning by requesting the Islamabad police to withdraw VVIP frills, including the halting of public transport to facilitate his easy passage. In short, the PTI chief has confirmed that he is happy to have just four security vehicles. This is to be welcomed. As is his pledge to not occupy the Prime Minister House but, instead, the chief minister’s annexe of Punjab House. That being said, Kaptaan will have to tread carefully; quite literally. For he is a man who now bears the weight of the country’s expectations on his shoulders. From Naya Pakistan’s naysayers, many of whom, truth be told, are open to the persuasion that he is, indeed, the right man for the job; provided his young supporters demonstrate maturity when it comes to netiquette. To his ardent supporters, who dream of nothing better than seeing him deliver on electoral promises; thereby allowing them to cry as one that they told everybody it would be so. Thus while the PTI chief is busy playing the parliamentary numbers game, he must remain mindful that the people of Pakistan have gone from viewing him as the man of the moment to the man of the next five years. The result being that the focus is firmly fixed on any existing gaps between word and deed. Imran has bided his time for 22 years to get where he is today; struggled, some might say. Thereby affording him the luxury of an entirely clean slate. This represents a welcome novelty for the citizenry and a supreme advantage for both him and his party. Thus Kaptaan must do the needful. And not blow it. * Published in Daily Times, August 8th 2018.