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SO many rabbits to chase after, so much to bite into, but the muzzle and the leash prevail for now, so on to lesser things. It’s transparently obvious but in this age of pretence, let’s start with a bit of pretence:
What if — just what if — Imran wanted to be PM more than he wanted to fix things?
The shenanigans of the week are easy enough to explain. Imran doesn’t give a rat’s behind about what TV says or social media obsesses over: knowing how to use the media cultivates a healthy contempt for it.
The helicopter stuff is already fading — as it always would. It isn’t so much that Imran tried to ingratiate himself with the hoi polloi with fake talk about simplicity and related silliness, but that Imran will only engage the people, the media — everyone — on his terms.
Even in an age of pretence, Imran will only be able to hide so long that he wants to be PM more than he wants to fix things.
The helicopter faux pas is defiance after a minor transgression when the stakes are minimal — it’s not like someone’s going to take away his prime ministership, or even his heli rides, for being preachy and insincere.
But the stakes were somewhat higher in another recent incident and Imran showed the same defiance and contemptuous disregard. Just weeks before the election, Imran was caught in a media maelstrom for jetting off abroad with a friend who may or may not have had his paperwork in order.
The fierce pounding he took then made no sense to suffer without some quick damage control. There was an election to be fought and won and even if Imran knew he’d be helped across the finish line, the pounding he was taking on TV and in social media was an unnecessary distraction.
But the same contempt shone through. No apology, no comment, no reversal.
You can guess some of the reasons why. As a principal beneficiary of the manufactured realities of TV, Imran may believe that everything he sees, reads or hears in the media is driven by an agenda. He may not even be that wrong.
So if everything is manufactured and fake, you may as well ride it out. Media outrage will burn itself out quickly enough and if it doesn’t, the problem and the sponsors lie elsewhere and that requires different handling.
The other thing may be a little more hidden.
A policeman suffering humiliation and a nobody CM taking a few hits in the media is par for the course — neither can really object because it comes with the territory. But that isn’t really the story.
At a minimum, the gent’s ego has been bruised. Family and honour require some rectification and recompense. But it rarely stops at that. What has really been signalled is access: manage the gent’s idiosyncrasies and ego because a satisfied gent is a man who can get work done for you.
The pounding that is being taken by some now is a down payment on favours that may be called in later. Nothing surprising in any of it, but only if you want to and know where to look.
So back to the original question: what if, just what if, Imran wants to be PM more than he wants to fix things?
That they had done zero preparation is obvious enough. The only real skill on display so far has been the chap who has jetted around to bring on board allies and independents. Beyond that it’s just been uncertainty and unsteadiness, in naming a cabinet, in making provincial picks, in setting an agenda.
But is any of it a surprise?
Imran is one of the more transparent politicians we’ve ever had. He’s given more interviews and made himself more available to the media than any other first-tier pol around today, all of them having lengthier political careers than Imran.
Heck, we — allegedly — know more about his personal life than the lives of many of our friends and relatives. Good or bad, tawdry or sensational, there’s more out there about Imran, in story, legend and rumour, than most folk need or would like to know.
But that hyper visibility is also instructive.
The populist rhetoric is fine. Simplifying politics, good versus evil, everything a question of will and belief, a great future awaits if only the right leadership has control — that’s the stuff of insurgents, outside politics.
But sift through even a bit of the mountain of public statements and opinions and comments that Imran has made over the decades and try and find two things: an interest in how things work and an appetite for any level of detail.
You probably don’t need to do much sifting. The answer is obvious.
But that doesn’t have to be an insurmountable problem: pick the right people and you’re halfway to being a saviour. Move on, then, to sifting through the people Imran has surrounded himself with over the years, especially in more recent times.
Broadly, there’s two kinds: the extremely wealthy and those steeped in power politics. No agents of change there. Put all of that together and it’s no surprise it’s been a rough start so far.
There will be calmer patches ahead: Imran is bestride a system that manifestly favours him and opposes his rivals. But even in an age of pretence, Imran will only be able to hide so long that he wants to be PM more than he wants to fix things.
Imran can make some tweaks and adjustments now. Or he can leave us to suffer everything amped up to 10 for the next five years.
The writer is a member of staff.
Twitter: @cyalm
Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2018
Comments (73) Closed
brilliant write up. kudos to mr cyril
Good analysis! I agree with Cyril that IK is just doing tweaks and adjustments, especially in those initiatives which can attract media attention. I was expecting big bold decisions but I think we are stuck for the next five years!
Imran has already put Nawaz away probably for good now all he has to do is just be the PM, and let the Noonies and Zardaris stew in their own juices.
If Imran is able to achieve even 25% of what he has claimed it will be better than what Sharifs and Zardari has done
Just another politician. Just another political party.
Imran the PM
Excellent ! Timeless article for leaders to read worldwide !
I think we will know in a few months time what IK will be able to achieve. Actions matter more and is a democracy change takes time!!
Arrogant, that's what he is.
Unfortunately Pakistan is not a Nation to understand all that. People look at Khan as an idol as a sportsman and every thing else they forgive him. He uses this to play around with Words and statements he tells them what they want to hear. But truly I have no doubt that he will never be able to walk his talk because he wanted to be PM more than he ever wanted to fix the countries problems. It is a phycological complex he has in his personality.
Plain and simply put - Imran has no new ideas, just an ambition to be PM.
Minor issues pointed out so far in IKs govt would have been accepted without in question If PPP or PMLN were in place.
while i am skeptical of Imran Khan's choice of cabinet but his recent selection of advisors for economic council is brilliant to say the least. We shall at least give the new government some time before doing uncalled for criticism on its action.
"...….he wants to be PM more than he wants to fix things." Absolutely spot-on. Poor us.
Even if your theory is correct, Pakistan and Pakistanis have absolutely nothing to lose.
Excellent analysis about hopes created for Naya Pakistan
Spot on analysis. Lollipops and churan.
He wants to fix things, but he does't know how to fix them. Clock is ticking in the meanwhile.
For the past 22 years imran khan had only one ambition, to become prime minister of pakistan, the rest of the things he made it up on his way.
Everything cannot be manufactured and fake; this article, as many recent others of it's ilk, surely are.
Excellent prose and unique style.
In simple English, as per Cyril Almeida, Imran can achieve either of the two goals but not both.
Either survive as Prime Minister and enjoy the trappings of power while the system run itself .(Cynic).
Or try to bring real changes by fixing the considerable faults in the system and fundamentally reform it .(Sincere and Naive).
The question is will the country and its people be better off in next few years or when the next election comes the vicious circle continue?
Excellent analysis; unfortunately though the suffering of poor won't end.....
Give the guy a chance! One person alone can't solve the problems. Others have to cooperate .
This is just a start of media pressure
That they had done zero preparation is obvious enough. And no head for details.
We are in for some interesting times. Even by wretched South Asian standards.
Cmon people, you have suffered through incompetent leadership for seventy years with the exception of Liaqat Ali. It is first month and critics are already impetient! By the way, nothing wrong with IK wanted to be a prime minister. By hiring experts and having willingness to chance the culture of corruption, chips will fall in place over few years. We got to watch out of poweful corrupt people who will likely suffer and start these propaganda and falsely expect seventy years of mess to be cleaned up in dee months!
The real question is how he handles the economy. Everything else is secondary.
Here we go again.
So far just gimmicks.
It is a bit of both, he wanted to be a PM in order to fix fundamental things plaguing this country. All great people have followed a similar path. Did Bill Gates want to be the richest man in the world or put a PC on every desktop. Does Elon Musk want to put a human on Mars or make space travel cheaper and accessible to all.
Imran's track record shows that he wants to fix things and sets lofty goals. Starting from neutral umpires, SKMT, Namal University, and now this. To reach the top requires a lot of ambition, hard work, and single mindedness. He has shown that side of it as well; starting from a lone warrior to building a party and securing the top position.
It is understandable that, to reach his goal, he would have collected individuals who are equally ambitious, have resources, and want to be in politics. What other choice could he possibly have to pick perfect people for the job. Politics is a dirty and uneasy game.
Most of all he wants to win, that's all that matters.
Imran Khan has good intentions and strong character. But most people in his party are rent seekers. It would be wise for him to focus just on a few issues with the best in his team to work on them and do really well on tabdeeli in those areas.
IK has asked for time and space the media can at least grant him that!
Straight to the comments.....
I am surprised that the question is even necessary. To any unbiased observer; for Imran Khan the PMship is in and of itself an end all. That's the only thing that matters. Article raised two very great questions : the lack of appetite of Imran for learning and the people he chose. Answers to those predict the future.
"...….he wants to be PM more than he wants to fix things." May be partially true. IK knows PM cannot fix everything. He also knows everything need not be fixed. He seems to be fixing what can be fixed. If he succeeds, he will be poised to concede a big lead and enforce follow on with an innings victory.
Drastic change are expected from revolutionaries, brutal dictators or from highly intelligent leadership and unfortunately nothing of these elements are visible in PM Khan and in his party. Shrewd and cunning politicians are more and less programmed / trained to hype up the expectations of masses and vying for the star whereas it's the job of a prudent person to realise the nature of realpolitic and not to take the words of such politicians to such extreme literal level. Imran might or might not be able to bring sky for this country, therefore let the history reserve its judgment once he complete his term/s rather than hypothesising the points frivolously to an nonsensical extreme. Let the nature take its course and don't jump to the gun straightaway.
Optics on corruption etc were required to get votes. Becoming the PM has been his lifetime dream, he has achieved it. He is just another power hungry aspirant who would enjoy his life. The day he went for "ELECTABLES" he bared his true colors.
Then that wont be something new in history of Pakistan!
Where there is a will, there is a way
Even if it is true, it will take at least two years,to see if the needle is moving, let alone, is it moving in the right direction. Till then hold on to such speculative verbiage.
Two weeks in office and already being judged. I wish if we all had done the same in last two tenures as well.
I am not surprised that Cyril did not even mention the way the newly elect govt handled the Netherlands issue like a true state through foreign office.
Why being cynic? Let him do his job
While many of the comments favor allowing him some time, I am afraid that is one luxury he does not have. If we analyze more carefully, the two most pressing issues are managing the economy and the foreign relations. Both may be intertwined a lot. On economy, the incumbent FM himself is on record that we have weeks to react and two of them have passed.
@Aamir As if you re not stuck during previous 10 years
"What if — just what if — Imran wanted to be PM more than he wanted to fix things?" He cannot be PM and not fix things the PM can. He will not be bothered by anyone for some years to come whatever he does. There is no charm in just being the PM these days. If he really fixes things, there will be no charm in just being the PM for next 2-3 terms as well.
Nations don't change in days it takes years and decades. Give IK more time. His intentions are good. He will make a difference. He has to be there for 20 years atleast. Pakistan will be a lot better nation after that. It will also give enough fodder for new generation of political leaders and good people to take it further.
Excellent analysis. Sadly, the propaganda has been so strong that people don't want to think rationally even if it is a clear writing on the wall. "A bright future awaits" is a rhetoric that everyone seem to have accepted and anyone who dares speak otherwise is subject to social smear, labelled as unpatriotic traitors.
Imran Khan has vision, which other stakeholders didn't have in the past, and having vision is the first step to move any country forward. The nation would extremely be indebted to IK, if he put tireless efforts in turning his vision into reality. Here is what Hellen Keller says: "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision."
Cyril, at this point it's not even relevant whether you are right here or wrong. You have perfected the art of assembling an army of words (yes the irony), and saying essentially nothing. Reading your articles is now akin to reading the horoscope.
Cyril cheer up , be optimistic and more objective
@Gibran...totally agreed ,,,verbosity verbosity and only verbosity
Another obscure article from the most pessimistic and depressing man in Pakistan.
I would have praised Cyril but for a few unfortunate lines such as ‘he’d be helped across the finish line’!! Honestly did you write anything like this about the previous PMs?
Is that 'mockery' or 'sarcasm' I sense in your writing, Cyril?
I hope you will k; p contributing material more on a 'positive' note because that is the need of the hour. I don't want to see your brilliance stray into unpleasant territory!
You have no idea... Imran Khan is the change, he is a storm and it has arrived, I used like reading your articles, but lately, the spark is not there... Keep writing thought
If Imrankhan wants to continue as PM, he has to listen to the other hidden hands. Moment, he starts thinking independantly, his days are over!
All successful people are power hungry.. no one is a saint besides Mother Teresa n a few others.. and the saints would have been bumped off quite a while back..
This debate is useless.. the real debate should be out of Imran, Nawaz, n Zardari who wants Pakistan to prosper?
End of debate, have a nice day n sleep easy
The issue is not Imran’s desire to be a PM or fix the nation. It is you trying to pontificate and try to stay relevant typist. It is skeptics like you who need to start doing the right thing, stop getting bribed and for once try to do something right. Expose the parasites and ask not what Imran will do for Pakistan but what will you do for Pakistan.
@Aamir what do u expect in 15 days... losers
You can not fix all issues overnight just give him some time. we have given so much time to corrupt governments knowing that they cant deliver good governance so why not give some time to a new leader. Please stop leg-pulling. Your negative approach will put-up hurdles for IK government instead we should back him for his steps and initiatives he has taken so far.
Imran my PM
Talk about what PM Khan has done in the 15 days on the job and not waste time on Petty and trivial gossips.
@Arif Zardaris and Sharrifs didn't do even 25% of the harm, in their first 10 days, what IK and his players have done in their first 10 days.
To be a Prime Minister (PM), a President people desire to be powerful, having wealth & fame etc. but someone like IK who got the fame, the wealth very early in his life, with that fact in mind it is difficult to imagine that he did a struggle of 22 years to achieve what he already had and just became the PM of Pakistan without having any sincere intentions to bring a change to the life of the poor people of Pakistan,
Leading a nation having corruption to its roots, a nation for almost over 60 years led by people who have left the poor people with a wretched life denying them of their inalienable right & have taken everything abroad, “which belonged to the poor people of this nation”, so this is not only a daunting tasks but an insurmountable challenge for someone to show courage & stand out. If IK can bring change and even in the next 5 year only change 5-10% of people behaviour that will be a huge achievement. IK challenges are not only Economical, internal and external threats but how to bring change to the people who have lived in a corrupt system for years & first change their behaviour.
@LALA is he a true Pakistani...I have my doubts.....Seems to be talking some ones language...
@Ismail what is so brilliant about it..just negative side of picture...
For someone like IK who got the fame, the wealth very early in his life, it is difficult to imagine that he did a struggle of 22 years to achieve what he already had and just became the PM of Pakistan without having any sincere intentions to bring a change to the life of the poor people of Pakistan,
Leading a nation having corruption to its roots, a nation for almost over 60 years led by people who have left the poor people with a wretched life denying them of their inalienable right & have taken everything abroad, “which belonged to the poor people of this nation”, so this is not only a daunting tasks but an insurmountable challenge for someone to show courage & stand out. If IK can bring change and even in the next 5 year only change 5-10% of people behaviour that will be a huge achievement. IK challenges are not only Economical, internal and external threats but how to bring change to the people who have lived in a corrupt system for years so first change their behaviour
@Arif He will do zero of what he claims... You guys have been conned
My sincere sympathies to you all
Cyril great article
I don't understand what is wrong with our nation IK don't even spend 3 months in his power how could he take the huge initiatives.
Tweaks is all that you need for a system to work. Otherwise, you'll need to start from scratch and for that you need to get new people, I mean 100% new faces, which is impossible in civil service, politicians and the masses. You have to work with some people from the same lot and that is why you just need to tweak and how you do business.