Muhammad Usman
PRESENT lot of ruling elite has ruled the country twice. One was from 1988 to 1999. Other was from 2008 to 2018. Both time, country slipped bigly from bad to worse politically, economically, administratively, morally and socially. Each time, national decline and devastation surpassed earlier levels by huge margin however, by craftily manipulating, short memory, gullibility, simple-mindedness, desperation, lack of awareness and ruined moral and social stock of the people, they could sneak back into power to plunder the country afresh. They have done it before and could do so again particularly, when seen in backdrop of their quite successful sly moves to discredit/weaken government of Imran Khan with ultimate purpose of disillusioning people about him. With a mix of falsehood, half-truths and misrepresentation on the strength of their sophistry, deceit and linkages within government machinery, media and economic circles, they have managed to create a perception that Imran Khan is incapable to run the country.
Plight of people is deteriorating than ever. His exit is essential before situation becomes irredeemable. This is not their exclusive view only. His patrons have also begun to think identically. They are contemplating for change. Apart from reasons mentioned above, a number of inadequacies of Imran Khan in statecraft and complexity, gravity and urgency of situation, have also helped them greatly to dislodge hope with despair and despondency. A large section of society seems ready again to fall prey to their mischief unwittingly or otherwise. Even followers/sympathizers of Imran Khan also seem prone to their prank. It appears a just matter of time when they present themselves again to lead the country out of the morass fallen in. It would be a lethal proposition if their macabre scheme succeeds because country left by them was nothing but a wreckage. Now there is nothing for their loot and plunder. Beyond this, thought is forbidding. People need to introspect before passing judgment about Imran Khan and falling into their trap.
It may be true that Imran Khan lacks acumen to run a country like Pakistan but when he is compared with likes of Nawaz Sharif/Asif Zardari including their progenies, he simply outclass them in all qualities of head and heart. If he cannot run the country then how these blockheads could do that? Virtually Pakistan has become an ungovernable country with its no organ in worthy state; legislature, executive and judiciary. Media considers itself fourth pillar of the state as well as the stakeholder. It may be the pillar but not the stakeholder because stakeholders divide the spoils like monkeys do whereas, it ought to be a watchman. Business community is staunchly opposed to the culture of documentation and proper tax regime. At large, we have become a society of vices than virtues. The rot is total and complete. The hollowness of our polity could be judged from the notion that people are ready to condone corruption of Nawaz Sharif – he eats but also spends on country while forgetting that in process, country gets only fraction of what he squanders in corruption, haste and wrongly prioritized/poorly built projects of instant self-glorification. Mostly he produced white elephants.
Power plants established by him, produce unaffordable electricity. What all he did, was out of recklessly obtained huge foreign loans that ultimately clipped national sovereignty. In short, condition of the country which Imran Khan inherited, resembles with a patient who is suffering from multiple chronic and dreadful diseases as of cancer, kidney failure, liver requiring transplant and TB etc. On top of this, he is also averse to treatment. Underhand he spares no occasion to fail the attempt to treat him. The enduring treatment of such patient is constrained to take long time. He may have to undergo painful procedures. He needs to show understanding, patience and endurance. People of Pakistan are passing through similar condition however, government must provide immediate relief to downtrodden people. Externally government has made significant strides. The country is in flurry of good tidings. Big powers are well inclined. World financial institutions/other global organizations are in good humour. FATF is also showing positive disposition. Friends like Turkey and Malaysia are ready to go many steps ahead to bail out Pakistan and forge productive relationship. In a nutshell, outside world sees a bright future for Pakistan hence, ready to accord its due importance and engage it. A few months back, India was hurling threats to isolate Pakistan internationally but opposite has happened.
Now India is under world’s microscope. This would be less than fair if its credit is not given where it belongs to. It is Imran Khan who presented case of Pakistan abroad candidly, eloquently and passionately and took difficult decision at the expense of his political capital. This attests that Pakistan is going in the right direction internally because diplomacy begins at home. People have to understand this. Contrarily, it would be at their own pearl. Imran Khan loses nothing but we do. This reminds what he said in response to a question – did he ever think about his failure in politics. He said yes but did not elaborate. Instead he narrated, once Quaid-i-Azam was told by his well-wisher that he is unlikely to succeed because of dismal state of Muslims. In reply, he said, what he only wanted was that on Day of Judgment, may Allah say – well done Jinnah, you did your best. Imran Khan is unlike other politicians who come on promise of serving the nation. He has already done it.
— The writer, a retired Lt Col, is freelance columnist based in Islamabad.
