Yesterday I linked to an essay by Imran Khan. Something has bothered me for a while and I think I will hash it out here. Why has Imran Khan failed in Pakistani politics?
Imran Khan, from ‘85-’95, was Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Joe Montana rolled into one. He retired from Cricket (after winning the World Cup) and started a project to build a free cancer hospital in Lahore. For this project, he solicited donations, did fundraisers, gathered monies from NGOs, all to guarantee that the poor have a world-class facility. I can’t even begin to describe the goodwill and cheer he accumulated through his philanthropy.
Then, he decided to enter into politics and established the Tehrik-e Insaf [Movement for Justice] to foster an agenda of anti-corruption and development. He should have been elected PM in under a month. Yet, he has struggled to be taken seriously by our politicians or public. He still makes more news through his personal life than through his political one. He attacked the major parties as being corrupt and exploitative of the public and that not only cut him out of the immense organizational structure required to engage in local politics but also made him a political pariah. The religious parties had no use for this recent playboy with a gori wife. He went through phases of political wranglings and compromises [even doing the mullah bit - for like 5 seconds] which destroyed his reputation of being a non-compromising gentleman among theives.
His party never won any seats to speak of and he has barely managed to get elected in the few chances he has had. After 9/11, he criticized US foreign policy and has been by-and-large anti-US since the Afghanistan war. If you don’t have friends in D.C. and you don’t have friends in Riyadh than you ain’t got a chance in Islamabad. His latest move is to lead a XI-strong against The General. He is trying to emerge as the leader of a unified front - akin to the M.R.D. against Zia in ‘81. The thing is that MMA is doing the same thing. Chances are that Imran Khan will get sidelined, once again.
So, what does this say about Pakistani political landscape? Why can’t an immensely popular and well-liked individual take a populist platform and still fail to gather any support as a leader. Masses are malleable only to the ones in power? Or is this a unique case? In the absence of any desire for change, can Pakistani civil and political society re-allign itself against The General? Don’t I have any shot at becoming the Manmohan Singh of Pakistan?
“So, what does this say about Pakistani political landscape?”
I never knew Pakistan actually had a political landscape.
I always thought it was run by a collection of semi-feudal overlords, who rely on nepotism and sycophantism.
Speaking from personal experience that is.
A pertinent issue u have raised, Sepoy. It’s important to analyze such cases as Imran’s to understand the political milieu of pakistan. One of the reasons of Imran’s failure as a politician is (perhaps) one that u have mentioned: that is, he does not have friends in Washington. But I guess, a major factor is the apathy of the people towards politics, towards the idea of taking charge of their own destiny, towards anything that is beyond the immediate issue of survival and subsistence. They have probably lost faith in revolutions, reform, progress or related ideas. Perhaps, what can move them, if at all, are someone like Bhutto with his shenanigans and loud oratory skills.
Yes, a very sad case is his.
Analyzed from the general public outlook, I always thought it was his move of taking a gori wife, his divorce unfortunately sent the message further that he did not make a wise decision. If he couldnt make the right choice in his life, how could he make the right choices for the country?
I personally, was willing to overlook that.
Good outweighs the bad in his case for me; why can’t the awam of Pak see that?
We really don’t know and care to know what’s going on like Sohail said.
What can be done?
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And we in India almost elected a gori wife of a previous prime minister (this isn’t a sarcastic statement). Also, I am not sure how not having Saudi/American backing would be an issue in elections. I believe, the single reason for his failure is that he did not have a strong grass-roots campaign. Even in a well-connected country like US, the “foot soldiers” do make a difference in the elections. Or am I missing something here?
pakistan is a country sufficient in emotional fools, regarding the failure of PTI i will only say that there is great difference in sports leadership n politics one. the movt of tahreek e insaf ended with the completion of shaukat khanum where as the fact is…………..pakistan needs more, more n even much more foundations. 2dly we r a country with 70% poors community, imran should contribute with the whole pakistan……….
hi
i do not agree with it as far as my information is concerned i think he is going to be the future of pakistan this has been our bad luck as a pakistani that we have not understood him and let me tell you as i have spoke to a lot of people in pakistan and every one likes him but why they do not vote him no idea but hopefully there will be a day when pakis people do voe for him ,,
I think he realises the situation on ground and trying to make some adjustments with some political parties having the same one point agenda of restoration democracy. That might not be an ideal situation for an ideological party but in this way he might be able to build his political image and contribute for the betterment of masses while in reign (coalition). I am hoping for his best political future in the upcoming elections.
Just to correct the person who mentioned that 70% of Pakistani population is poor. My dear the figure is about 32%. Perhaps you are talking about 1949 figure but we are in 21st century, try keeping up with the facts.
i would say its a bit premature to regard imran khan as a failure. i personally feel he has a long way to go in politics yet the opportunity is just about right to make inroads into pakistani politics. there is a lack of credible leadership and he is showing strong on various talk shows in political debates. his personal life i pray is not going to haunt his political life for he seems a genuine person to me
Imran Khan is not a failed politician. He also isn’t a dirty politician. That’s my opinion, because he was already rich, well off, popular etc and he didn’t need to get into politics. He was also doing great charitable work.
He is one of the very few people who I have hope and faith in. Not blind faith, just hope and faith. I couldn’t care less about his “gori” wife or his divorce. Pakistan has been riddled with Pakistani men with Pakistani wives sucking Pakistani blood like leaches. It’s time to give Imran Khan a chance.
Every democratic country has two or to the maximum three main political parties, Republican Party, Democratic Party in USA, Liberal Party, Labour Party, Conservative Party in UK, for instance. Imran Khan’s straightforwardness, selfless and daunting approach is welcome, however, His political future is bleak as long as he has ambiguity in accepting his role in one of the two mainstream parties in Pakistan, PPP and PML. PML (N) is in APDM and that’s where he should go hands in hands with Nawaz Sharif to step into active opposition politics which will eventually pave his way towards a real statesman in future.