APROPOS the article ‘Expectations and delivery gap’ (Aug 6). The writer has extensively expressed the tasks and challenges before the incumbent government to bring about long-term meaningful reforms and pinpointed the pitfalls of succumbing to the temptation of appeasing public and political opposition in the short-term. The vested interests and beneficiaries of a corrupt system will always raise the loudest protests against reforms.

One challenge will be ‘favours in return’ to the newly inducted ‘electables’ into the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, and the ‘independents’. Without them the PTI would not have been in a position to form government. It is fair to assume that they did not lend their support to PTI on ‘ideological’ grounds.

The strong, and at times, ruthless measures required to bring the country out of the economic abyss must be pursued relentlessly regardless of the pain it may cause initially.

Lee Kuan Yew, Dr Mahatir and Margaret Thatcher are some leaders who showed admirable strength of conviction and resolve to face challenges and bring about reforms for the long-term interest of their countries.

Margaret Thatcher stood firm against fierce countrywide protests and strikes. She became known as ‘the Iron Lady’ for her grit and determination to do what had to be done.

We have to wait for a few months to see if we get our own ‘Iron Man’ in Imran.

Khizar Naqvi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2018