Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
WE enter the administrative era of Prime Minister Imran Khan today. The depths of desperation and despair have given rise to immense expectations. Deep reservations are being set aside to focus on ‘last chance’ hopes for Pakistan. When all is said and done, will Imran Khan have been the friend of the people or the prisoner of his circumstances? Views range from cynicism, to hope, to faith that he will deliver.
The cynics cite his alleged limitations as a person and a leader; his inability to pay attention to necessary detail or see the big picture; his inconsistent decision-making and poor management skills; his dependence on flunky fat cats and cultivation of power centres; his religious and political conservatism, etc.
Those who are more hopeful see him as the best of a rotten set of choices and someone whose basic decency, honesty, pride and belief in his own destiny will not allow any person or institution to ‘control’ him. They would be grateful for even modest improvements. Those who have the most faith in Imran Khan see him as an answer to a nation’s prayer.
Among Imran Khan’s challenges some will be just very tough. Others will be existential.
The only certainty is that Imran Khan will be besieged by entrenched institutions, a dismal politics, and dubious people who have little interest in his tabdeeli and naya Pakistan. It is amazing how the rich and powerful by and large remain comfortable with the poor and vulnerable remaining in their wretched condition.
They are inside and outside parliament, among newly acquired ‘independent allies’, and ‘electable’ recruits. They tirelessly assure Imran Khan of their cooperation and loyalty, and keep their options open. The power centres have supported him on a ‘Bughz-i-Muawiyya’ basis, not ‘Hubb-i-Ali’.
The debt-driven and defrauded country could be in hock to the IMF, or possibly China, for amounts impossible to repay. The national debt is now estimated at over Rs30 trillion! On average, every newborn Pakistani is in debt to the extent of Rs1.5 lakhs!
Read: Is IMF avoidable?
The poor of Pakistan have no real economic coping capacities because they are systematically denied the power of countervailing institutions to moderate the depredations of corporate capitalism, high-level malfeasance and institutionalised corruption. The people of Pakistan have been ruled by their enemies. They need a friend at the top.
The US has made it clear it will only help if Imran Khan is compliant to an extent that would undermine his domestic credibility and negatively impact on Pakistan’s relations with China. The US is focusing on Pakistan’s ‘CPEC adventurism’ as part of a comprehensive strategy to stop the ‘China threat’ to US hegemony in Asia.
Many in the US establishment, including renegade Pakistanis, see Imran Khan as a pawn of the military which has given up on the US ever being a reliable bilateral and regional partner. One American critic of Pakistan regards the prime minister as no more than “the mayor of Islamabad whose writ does not even extend to Rawalpindi”. She describes the recent elections as “the military re-arranging pool-side chairs” for Imran Khan to “lubricate the military agenda.”
The military is seen by many as wedded to a dangerous policy of ‘no war, no peace’ with India on the pretext of Kashmir and minimising Indian influence in Afghanistan irrespective of what Afghans may want. These policies are allegedly implemented through ‘proxy assets’, among whom Imran Khan’s critics count him!
His dilemma is that if he thoroughly discredits such allegations and establishes himself as a leader who, while being cautious and realistic, will brook no domestic obstruction of naya Pakistan, the US will then fear him even more as a national leader who brooks no external dictation either.
Prioritising the national interest over US strategic interests comes at a price. Turkey under Erdogan is confronted with this truth. Nevertheless, Imran Khan will need to make clear to all and sundry that no matter the price, he will face down all who presume to limit his vision for Pakistan.
A ‘soft state’ by definition cannot save itself from becoming a failed state. Imran Khan will need to demonstrate through statements, decisions and accomplishments that an inclusive and participatory democracy is never a soft state. By contrast, militarily dominated developing states especially in the 21st century, will always be soft states on the brink of state failure. They can have no future.
Fortified by this truth, Imran Khan can become an unstoppable force for the transformation of Pakistan. Otherwise, he will flatter only to deceive. Specific measures, policies and strategies to deal with specific domestic and external issues will need to be continuously and openly discussed, elaborated, implemented, reviewed, revised, and up-scaled.
This is the vast, demanding and exhilarating enterprise of a national strategy. It must be institutionalised and resourced. But if it is contextualised by the ‘soft state syndrome’ it will be no more than a palliative, damage limitation, and delaying the inevitable. The enemy — SSS — has been identified!
Among Imran Khan’s challenges some will be just very tough. Others will be existential. Whatever their nature the approach to them must be similar: all policy measures should be informed by longer-term policy perspectives. Otherwise, they will develop neither direction nor momentum. Seventy years should have taught us this much.
Given the magnitude of his mission, Imran Khan must be a 24/7 force multiplier. He must know the basics of everything he is responsible for and what is being done in his name. No one should be able to pull the wool over his eyes. He has to be a workaholic.
Mobilising and organising the people to overcome entrenched interests will, however, be his greatest challenge. For it to happen it has to become a national labour of love.
Can Imran Khan orchestrate and conduct such a symphony of national endeavour? Many will sneer at the suggestion. Many more pray that he can and will. If he justifies the hopes invested in him he can deliver Pakistan’s finest years.
The writer is a former ambassador to the US, India and China and head of UN missions in Iraq and Sudan.
Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2018
Comments (56) Closed
From across the border. In case IK bothers to peep into the daily working hours put in by Indian PMs right from Nehru , he might have an idea the challenges faced in running the country efficiently, and to realise the Naya Pakistan and at the same time to tame the elephant in the room ( whom his detractors accuse of its manipulation to prop him as PM )
Everyone heard the talk, lets see if he walks the walk.
If nothing else, Imran Khan will certainly uproot the biggest curse of corruption from Pakistan that has eaten away the National exchequer like a termite.
I hope IK delivers.
The bane of the peoples of S. Asia is that they vainly expect any newly elected leader to somehow miraculously save them from all the decades-old self-inflicted ills - overnight. No, there is nothing wrong for one to hope and this is not to say a newly-minted leader cannot be a catalyst for change. But sound macro decisions must translate to micro victories at the street level. No use saying 'justice for all' and then do nothing about the creaky and corrupt legal system, or "free healthcare for all" and then not train/fund health care down to the village level, or "no child left behind' and then deny the girl child access to quality education, through default or design. Leaders must Walk the Talk. We wish IK and his ministers the best as they battle fixed mindsets and entrenched forces that do not want change. 7 decades of systemic rot will not disappear overnight, but may Pakistan boldly acknowledge and face her challenges.
My very respected senior, usually you have been very clear in your analysis but this time on Imran Khan you sound very confused.
From the day IK won the election, the armchair athletes in print and electronic media have put the conjecture mill on full power, first asking a question then providing the answer themselves to the satisfaction of their personal likes and dislikes. Ik knows very well, he just needs to strike the hammer on corruption with full force and full zest, that will be half the job done that will facilitate and streamline the way to complete the other half. Corruption in its umpteen forms is lurking in every nook and crany of Pakistan.
IK is just starting. Need to give him time and not judgement. If he can bring peace and progress, that's what everyone expecting.
Like any democracy, and even more so in his case, Imran Khan will have to balance long term planning, which may not show immediate results, with short term gains to mollify the critics baying at his heels.
Let’s pray together that he can.
The author had written exactly same words for musharraf too.
This is the best piece I have come across Dawn since July elections. very pragmatic and unbiased.
The only decent and constructive article on Dawn today. Author may have been a good ambassador
Do we even need to answer this one? Or is it the secret wish that Imran's freedom to act be limited? Let's be clear, if Imran fails to deliver, we the people will no longer be limited to following the law.
I don't think Imran worries over existential challenges. What he will have a problem with is money. He can't establish anything close to a welfare state within five years starting a new government out by deficit spending.
Pakistan has to break the shackles of establishment if it has to ever stand on its own legs.Otherwise I.K tenure will be like a Soda bottle
“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” --- Theodore Roosevelt
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt
An excellent article, as always.
IK has genuinely good intentions about the country and its people. He will, however, remain constrained by his inexperience and circumstances in implementing those intentions into action. The team he selects to deliver will be another factor. Some institutions within the country will be astumbling block in his way, especially on foreign policy matters. Even if he does a fraction better than his predecessors, it would be heartening.
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. This especially holds good for IK in the present circumstances.
It would be total failure and bad luck on part of IK, the new PM, if he does not make it possible the acumen and wisdom of a person for the betterness of the people of Pakistan just like the learned columnist. Love you Sir for a comprehensive analysis.
The mayor of Islamabad whose write doesn't extend up-to Rawalpindi
Millitarry is Pakistan's Millitarry whatever they will do they do it for Pakistan so don't worry we love our arm forces
Can u tell us any country in the world running without support of their arm forces !!!
Extremely pessimstic view. We say, Know the man and his achievements, you will know what the results will be in 5 years time. For the best is yet to come.
No doubt the journey ahead for IK as PM is one of the momentous proportions but if he stays focused with a 'patriotic' team he will stand a high probability in delivering the most to the nation.
Pakistan's finest hour has arrived. The Great Khan is at the wicket, err' at the Helm. Alhamdollilah!
Time can only show as how new PM complete 5 years
The writer is a former Pakistani ambassador to the US, India and China and UN !!!
So many advises, so many do's and do nots, I pity I.K. already, who should he listen and who not to !!.
Your Excellency, and the emphasis is on the ex, in the interests of balance, I would say that you have sacrificed objectivity. It is almost axiomatic that a poor leader can take a good team to disaster, while a good leader can guide a bad team to victory. A more germane question would have been, will the so-called "international community" give him enough space to accomplish his goals?
I like the Imran Khan, who talks and put bold words forward. I want the Imran Khan who should deliver his bold words. In his first act after elected as a PM of Pakistan, he was given a guard of honor by the contingent of Armed Forces and in the ceremony he walked casually and this is Imran Khan, who will deliver.
Only time will tell whether he can deliver.
Ik should get this gentleman as his advisor on foreign affairs. Highly educated and upright man. Nation needs your Sir.
This is the best advice for Mr Khan.Mr Khan needs people like Mr Qazi on his side.Good luck to the new primeminster. Hope he brings peace and prosperity to Pakistan and the region.
Unbelievable! I’ve never ever seen such an impossible litany of prescriptions These canny advisors expect Imran Khan to accomplish what they have never come remotely close to achieving. Superman he’s not. Honest and with a mind of his own defines him — with luck this should take him far.
A great read indeed, as much I wish to disagree with the writer, the hard facts remain hard to swallow. At the end of the day, Imran Khan is not your typical politician, but he will have to play the game of politics by the rules already in play, for decades. But, but he can balance the power issues with the Army and others to achieve his goals, at least I pray. One one man in Pakistan can change it all, too many stake holders, who are power driven power driven who demand to remain a top when it comes to decisions on foreign policy
Very well written.
Writer is a brave man in Pakistan.
If IK made it to PM in the face of all hardships over a stretch of 22 years, be assured he will take Pakistan out of current difficult situation. He is the man!
There is no denying the fact that if IK successfully orchestrate result oriented and workable strategies for at least the five years to come, for sure he will be able to set out precedents for generations. He must differentiate now between what is just rhetorical and what is practical. It's more than an easy to make tall and unprecedented promises, however to honor Tue made promises is a daunting task. It is hoped that IK will stand the test of time and will deliver what he has since long ago promised with the nation, who is lurking on the horizon of economic meltdown, unbridled poverty, unceasing unemployment, regional security dilemmas.
The following maes a lot of sense:
Can Imran Khan orchestrate and conduct such a symphony of national endeavour? Many will sneer at the suggestion. Many more pray that he can and will. If he justifies the hopes invested in him he can deliver Pakistan’s finest years.
Let us wait and see.
Lovely piece, pure gold
well said but IK is just one. please encourage military ministers bureaucrats and citizens to build Pakistan which in turn means building up themselves
For Imran it's going to be a very upward hill task to remove corruption, pull out Pakistan from the Financial debt, remove poverty . Unfortuately the hidden forces of evil are greater than honest n sincere people. All those who funded n supported his campaign will need a return on investment and how will Imran stop them from running the country without corruption ??
Well written. Pakistan too is a prisoner of its circumstances. It is in the twilight of its destiny, with the decisive factor between the dawn of hope and the potentially unending night of despair being our willingness to transform the national obsession with seeing Pakistan as an exceptional state besieged by imagined enemies into a national effort, rather a national labor of love to confront the entrenched interests, and the real enemies who not only sustain themselves but have been thriving at the expense of Pakistan.
superb piece of write-up articulating hosts of apprehension and valuable suggestion. I think IK should keep experts like Ashraf Jahanghir on foreign affairs around him for guidance to carry out his mission on most difficult and tricky fronts.
It’s extremely concise and clear analysis. It should be taken as guiding force for PM IK.
His supporters are obviously very hopeful that Pak's finest years are yet to come and that he will be a major catalyst in making that happen. However, that won't be easy and Pak's finest years are not around the corner either. Cleaning up this system is akin to poking a beehive. There is no other way. Heads will roll and some of those heads won't take it lying down. Imagine you walking into a house that hasn't been cleaned in decades. Cleaning up that mess will alert the neighbors and will cause a lot of noise. IK's challenge will be to get through that phase quickly so the country can reap the rewards of their decision to support him.
What a wonderful analysis. If Mr Khan is able to do half of the things Mr Qazi has proposed he will be remembered in history. Pakistan's problem is those who hold resources are not ready to share. You can not force them. You have to persuade/convince them.This can not be achieved by power. Instead of going to IMF/China go to Pakistani having US$ four billion abroad and assure them safety to bring back their money like Turkey. GOOD LUCK
This article definitely needs to be read by Imran Khan himself
Please write on NS past deeds
@SUMAIRA It will be difficult for 1man at the top to rid the entire system.
Excellent piece....think somebody from IKs camp should read it abd inform PM
Bravo.....
If Imran can root out corruption from this country for ever it will be a graet service for this country.But how will he do it in the presence of biggest Corrupt politicians in his Party is yet to be seen.These Corrupe people will form a mafia to go against him and try to control his steps before he is in action.Let us see who wins..
@UET during musharraf's time i was in service as a diplomat and later as a UN diplomat. i never wrote anything about musharraf. sad to witness such irresponsibility
The writer has well articulated this Article with his smart expressions and deep analytical approach. the writer has deep understanding of current issues which could be a big challenge for imran khan Future political Leadership . The all current issues should need to be understood to faced the challenges in running the country efficiently and appropriately in a right direction and with right vision . In my deep understanding The all current political and social issues have been highlighted very well in a broader perspectives in a deep rooted way . The Imran Smart political Leadership needs to understand and formulate good polices for running the government system in a right direction. The PM Leadership should have to keep an eyes on all issues ii n a strategic way . we know very well all the challenges will be very taught to face it .all policy measures should be informed by longer-term policy perspectives. Otherwise, they will develop neither direction nor momentum.