Daily Times

Two months earlier, the first instalment of the prime minister’s live conversation with the public created shockwaves as a commendable initiative. After all, he was attempting to break barriers on his way to masses in a country whose political landscape was tainted by the VIP culture.

On Tuesday, the premier-in-chief decided to once again appear in the court of the people. To no one’s surprise, the broadcast brought to the fore a potpourri of reactions. Many hailed the telephone call session as a very well-curated move to win the confidence of his citizens. However, one cannot dismiss the parallels drawn to a publicity stunt. This may come as a surprise to PM Khan’s critics but all good political communication is a promotion strategy, come hell or high water. The PML-N stalwarts should keep the nineties image-building campaign undertaken by Sharif Senior when hopping on the fault-finding bandwagon.

Still, it would be phenomenally naive of the PTI to assume all is well under its collar. For the umpteenth time, Mr Khan has reiterated his resolve to make the mafias pay. May it be the bigwigs pulling a fast one on the state and sugar consumers in the last year or those playing havoc with the supremacy of the law; he was in no mood to spare anyone. Great intentions but does this government actually have the guts needed to deliver such high and mighty promises? The fact that Pakistan continues to suffer from a shambolic state of investigation and prosecution does not help the skipper’s case. How can he claim to fight a “real jihad” against a class that (in his own words) acts like a Sicilian mafia when pressurising state institutions. Time and again, the courts have raised their hands in utter helplessness as they acquit people known to be guilty. How, on God’s green earth, can the Assets Recovery Unit get over-excited and make loud claims over high-profile cases if the quality of the evidence in hand is not worthy to pass the test of the court. If there could be a gold medal for incompetence and shoddy workmanship, these authorities–despite an army of resources at their disposal–would make it into the top three.

Nevertheless, Pakistan is not troubled by the mafia battle alone. We are fast losing the inflation fight. Even if Islamabad might be satisfied with the ease in headline inflation, the skyrocketing food prices are just as terrifying. For those making a note of inflation rearing its menacing head worldwide, there is always the prospect of purchasing power. The ground reality remains that Pakistan is not as fortunate when it comes to absorbing the inflationary pressure, With up to 40 per cent of Pakistanis forced to live below the poverty line, an overwhelming majority is already struggling to survive on a string line budget.

Then again, there is the deadly Indian cocktail about to push through our doorways. As per the available data, Pakistan is fast headed to our neighbour’s surge pattern. Just expecting the people to follow SOPs cannot do the trick. We need vaccines, oxygen cylinders and ventilators. Period. There is an urgent need for advanced planning to avoid the ongoing disaster into turning a catastrophic note. Your country is relying on you, Mr Khan. May your actions speak louder than your words and the next programme celebrate Pakistan’s success story! *