Ali Gilani
For the last two decades, the firm stand of Imran Khan and his party on social and economic justice hit a homerun and changed the way these issues used to be adhered in Pakistani politics. No wonder that many in his party who were first enamored by him because of his charismatic cricket background now started to see him as a savior and liberator of the people of Pakistan. They asserted that no one but only Kaptaan could shatter the manacles of oppression and repression to which Pakistanis had been enslaved for decades.
The narrative which, like a fine wine, got riper as the time passed and became more and more popular with the masses who were looking desperately for a Messiah. IK during his entire political career not only criticized the policies of the governments but also questioned their intentions, a move which wasn’t alien to Pakistani politics and had been a norm for decades. Branding opposition an embodiment of corruption who was busy sucking the nectar out of country resources were how politicians used to make their case against their political rivals and in many ways still do. Mudslinging always has been a critical weapon in the arsenal of political players. In this regard PTI policy was not very different. But the addition of the flavor of socio-economic policies to their manifestation gave their cause a sense of superiority. But we should not forget that the lofty the ambition, the harder the realization is. So at last, after a long and exhausting struggle, PTI finally managed to vote out PML-N and took the reins of the country.
After taking an oath Imran Khan vowed to uproot the scourge of corruption along with the corrupt and promised to rebuild the country in accordance with the vision of Jinnah and Iqbal. The government is loaded, undoubtedly, with the desire to do good for the people but lacks the clarity and a plan. Moreover, the government has adopted the same strategy like the past governments which, needless to say, didn’t yield positive results. But unfortunately, the root of the problem lies with the political structure. Pakistanis have always been guilty of electing the most bankable and resourceful. The governments in Pakistan, by default, carry an anecdote if the political matters dare to get out of hands i.e. to blame the past governments for all the shortcomings and blunders. PTI is also not immune to this practice. It is the need of the hour that in such unprecedented times government and opposition set aside their petty differences and join hands for the greater good. But overtime, the government and opposition have been busy in mindless bickering over the issues which are hindrance in moving forward.
Our leaders need to understand now more than ever that statecraft is a complex set of protocols and speeches and point scoring will not help anyone in achieving something substantial. The stumbling of the government in crisis after crisis is worrisome and needs an overhaul in a manner the government is conducting her affairs. Nobody but only the Prime Minister can extend his hands towards all major political players by urging them to join him in the quest to make Pakistan not only COVID-19 free but economically sovereign.
—The writer is an engineer.
