PM Khan says taking U-turn a 'hallmark of great leadership'
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday reiterated his stance on the importance of flexibility in the actions or thoughts of leaders, saying that taking a "U-turn" was a "hallmark of great leadership".
In a message posted on his official Twitter account, the prime minister said, "Doing a U-turn (sic) to reach one's objective is the hallmark of great leadership just as lying to save ill-gotten wealth is the hallmark of crooks".
The premier also took a jibe at his opponents, saying "lying to save ill-gotten wealth is the hallmark of crooks".
On Friday, PM Khan — who has often been termed as the “master of U-turns” by his opposition — had told a group of journalists that a "leader who does not do timely U-turns is not a real leader".
Take a look: 'Are we invading Russia in winter?' — politicians, media react to PM's statement on U-turns
The premier, in his conversation with reporters at the PM Office, had reflected on the failure of leaders like Adolf Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte, saying that they "faced defeat as they did not change their strategies according to the situation and (as a result) their armies were marooned in Russia".
The statement had drawn criticism from opposition parties. PPP leader Khursheed Shah had questioned the examples of leaders which PM Khan gave, saying that the premier had “called himself Hitler” by referring to him.
Comments (60) Closed
The biggest U-turn is disowning the Qatari letter…by you know who…originally thought to be the rabbit out of a hat, at that time!
You loose credibility and trust... So uturn cant be hallmark of leader... Sometimes uturn is fine, but seems IK made it a policy
PM is absolutely right.
I believe one should do home work and decide the strategy. When there is new information, he can change strategy or make U- turn. There is nothing to be ashamed of. But PM should let people know the reason.
However PM using the example of Hitler, based on his negative image, is inappropriate. It diverted the attention to Hitler and people missed PM's point.
Accepting wrong decision and coorection require U turn it is not an issue. Issue is stay on wrong decision after knowing it is wrong. I support Khan statement
I have all the respect for the PM .May he live long to lead this country
Well said Captain. The members of PMLN, PPP and othe parties are not politicians but they are trouble makers and are in politics for lootings. They even do not know the meaning of U-Turn.
What the uneducated call a "u-turn" is considered as flexibility to reconsider your position and direction in light of new or changing environment and circumstances. It's a simple case of having the skills to understand when a change is warranted and not be afraid to take a decisive action.
Naya Pakistan where we can NOT TRUST our own PM statements because he believes in ability to take U-Turns as a leadership quality. Please someone teach him what TRUST means and who is called a statesman.
I am speechless, believe so do IK followers too.
IK is correct. Sometimes you have to lose a battle to win a war.
Stupid thinking. Frequent u turn means immaturity, weak credibility, unreliability. Once in a while review of a decision is permissible but frequent u turns is not hallmark of great leaders. Any example ?
Taking U turn is a great leadership, really ? This should be included in school syllabus.
True but we will not accept any u turns on taking the corrupt down.
This is just the beginning.
He is right if the U-Turn is once in a while or life time of a great leader. But regular U-Turn means, the leader lacks decision making, vision and insight of the decisions he is making. In such a situation, it would be wrong to even call such a person 'a leader'!
Then why anybody will believe in you
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday reiterated his stance on the importance of flexibility in the actions or thoughts of leaders, saying that taking a "U-turn" was a "hallmark of great leadership". I don't blame you for that.That is the hall mark of all politician in this part of world.
In order to conceal one lie , you have to lie a hundred times and this is very true in the case of Imran Khan !
The more explanation you give , you more you are confused and the more your audience is confused !
ZAB said about the same thing but with in much more subtle, intelligent way ..... he said something like ...remember that realities change and so one has to adapt to the new reality.
Waiting for him to take a u-turn on his u-turn statements.
Well said Imran Khan. Hallmark of a pragmatic leader.
It's ok, but what abt trust & credibility then?
Repeated U-turns will never take you anywhere. You will just continue moving to and fro between two points, often in circular path.
What you say, must have solid truth to be accepted and have impact. Taking U-turns diffuses the truth as well as credibility of the person.
A u-turn made to avoid danger ahead is a sensible thing to do. A frequent volte-face on promises made is not acceptable.
I think somebody needs to show the real meaning of u turn. It says u turn is a turn exactly 180 degrees which is not a deviation control or corrective measures but a complete turn around and it can’t be a good thing I guess.
Taking U-turn is not the hallmark of great leadership, it is loss of credibility of the leadership.
@M.Saeed,
If he can steer the country towards the right direction then such U-turns are fine. Don't you worry!
Flexiblity is good in life but take U turn where it is required don't brake oneway for U turn.
@Saif Zulfiqar, He is great one to go after the thieves and the robbers. Would he go after Aleema Khan as well? Only then his greatness or otherwise shall be determined?
Utrun Policy. 1 crore jobs,,before election,, it was a promise. After 1 year there will be Uturn, then he will say it was 1 lakh jobs promise. 50 Lakh homes,,, after 2 years,,this promise will drop to 5000 homes. He is preparing ground for his followers to accept him after he will fail to fulfill promises. He will use Uturn as shelter.
A true leader always put country first and make short and long term decisions accordingly. In respect to 'U' term adobted by opposition parties is a illogical and inappropriate, as such remarks are made by corrupt and incompetent politicians who do not know the actual meanings of democracy and, only know how to make money through different means. So ignore such stupid remarks and wait and see, how PM and his team handle our current financial crisis created by corrupt PMLN government - give them well deserved time before prematurely critizing.
Sometimes u turn is indispensable to land safely by the captain.
Taken completely out of context.
Mr. Prime Minister, think before you speak and no need of U turn later. It would only increase your trustworthyness.
@Kamal, Nobody forcing anybody to believe . Who cares. Bye bye.
@NPS, - you have contradicted your own comments. Before sending read your comments, please.
@bhaRAT©, good one! Disowning Qatari letter and laying on the son is the biggest U-turn. Alison makes him candidate for leader tittle ; no no. If if make U-turn in the interest of couoor humanity then it another story. For selfish aim, especially blaming own son for his convenience is shameless act.
@Ikramullah, what you want to say U-turn on Qatari letter, it is to save skin and blaming so his own wrongdoing.
@Kamal, judge him on merits of decision, u-turn or not. U-turn on Qatari letter is defense on merits but hide crimes.
Joke of the decade.
Accepting and correcting mistake is a big quality,however, IK should wait for more information and verify that before sharing it with public
@MP Singh, - that doesn’t make any sense...12 o’clocker
He is the only one that would believe this apart from Hitler and Napoleon.
Taking U-turns continuously, without a break, is same as going in circles.
He is earning himself the title of 'U turn PM'.
No world leader will take IK seriously if IK says U-turn is good as nobody will believe him as whatever he will say in negotiations, he will take U-turn.
Also, World will use this statement of IK like China will say they decided to take U-turn and not giving any loans for current requirement. Saudis can also say same.
Yes, U-turn on policy if fine, which indicates evolving strategy and thinking. What is not fine is U-turn on manifesto. Otherwise the line between PTI and others will get blurred.
@Aam Admi, a leader will change positions based on.new information, facts, or changesv in the situation. unlike zardaris and sharifs, they just keep lying. did saaf pani deliver any saaf pani? did zardari become honest when he lived in New York, no. he was corrupting others there.
@Aam Admi, do ground realities not change? when they do, one has to adjust. the PM has made an opposition coined term.into a positive, by adressig ut head on, brave.
No maturity. This is not cricket . World is laughing.
@Ikramullah, japan.made a u turn to surrender in 1945, where are they now?
@Aam Admi, what decisions have you made based on the PMs position to complain?
As long as IK has Pakistan’s best interest at heart, U-turn should not be a problem. After all most world leaders do that to further their country’s needs.
U turns are the sign of weakness, not political strength or greatness.
It is always possible,if we make a wrong decision but IK will recover looted money.
Better to take 2 U-Turns.... Then You will be going Straight!!
Changing decision as per circumstances isnt a uturn ... it is called rectification of decision for everyone's benefit ... IK is spot on
Mr. PM please let ur people know when they are supposed to believe on ur statements.And what is the guaranty that last U TURN is the final one and there is no more U turn in a particular case