Imran Khan Reality Over Myth

He is not a politician, he is not a business tycoon, and he is not a landlord. In the meanwhile, he is not corrupt, he is not a liar, and he is not a blackmailer. Such qualities should automatically disqualify a person from leading Pakistan, but that is precisely why he is being considered as the symbol of change in Pakistan. For years Imran has been an enigma for analysts, critics, fans and general public. They could not fathom how come a man with such a record of achievements and such amazing following could not be considered fit enough to lead the country? For fifteen years his inability of turning his likability to viability was answered with either a cynical snort of critics that cricket and politics are world apart, or, by a rueful shake off head by his supporters that he is too clean and straightforward to get through the maze of dirty politics.

Having been written off for the better part of his political career Imran and PTI are today sometimes reluctantly, and sometimes enthusiastically, recognised as the third political force in the country. The enthusiasts are the ones who see him as an anti status quo warrior who will purge this country from its many political and economic ills and will restore the country’s self-esteem, while the reluctants still feel that there are many grey areas in his approach that do not make him a voluntary choice but a choice because of no other choice.

Let us analyse some of these areas of debate and see the reality behind the myth.

Imran is all big talk

The most oft-repeated attack on him is that he has these grandiose ideas that are high sounding but have no connection with reality. His latest tall claim under criticism is that once in power, he will remove major corruption in 90 days. It is but natural that the question arises on whether something that has been deep-rooted for so many years can with a magic wand be erased in a matter of three months. Figures speak for themselves. By the admission of their own appointed NAB chairman, who is being careful with these figures, the estimated daily corruption is Rs 6 to 8 billion and most of it is due to five major institutions. If we change the head of these institutions we can save Rs 2000 billion annually solving our circular debt and many other problems. Pak Steel is an example. Led by an honest and professional head it was earning Rs 8 billion profit in 2008 and with mercenaries in charge it has now accumulated a loss of Rs 120 billion.

Also remember leadership starts with selling a vision and dreaming the impossible; Imran’s ability to see what others cannot see and do what others could not do is proven by his feats we all know about. Standing in a remote rural area and promising a world class college with a University of Bradford degree at no cost, was also laughed upon, but NAMAL today is a case study for international researchers, as is Shaukat Khanum. Vision has to be followed by a passion that defies logic where pursuit of purpose is beyond self, beyond difficulties, beyond circumstances. If Abraham Lincoln, the greatest of US presidents, could only win after losing 17 elections, Imran’s time to win is factually a reality.

This is another favourite tagline of those who doubt his philosophy. Some say he is a reborn extremist, for others, he suffers from confused identity. This argument was even more fuelled a few years ago when Imran openly resented the military operations in Waziristan and protested against drone attacks. His solution of engaging the Taliban through a dialogue was considered ridiculous and unrealistic. However, time has proven his stance as being just and real. America today is chanting the same song and drone attacks are being condemned by all other parties in the country. Imran is a great believer in human values of equality, justice and integrity. His fear is that if any operations are carried out indiscriminately and end up hurting people who are innocent, as has been the case in Waziristan, Afghanistan and Iraq, its natural backlash will be more terrorism. His compassion for people living in the remote areas being bracketed with terrorists indiscriminately is what makes him protest against this injustice.

Imran is anti-West

Another related criticism is that Imran is anti-American and anti-west. This scares off people in two respects; one he is not a moderate Muslim and that fear crops up every time he is seen with Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, and two, that the Americans will never let somebody who is not a puppet in their hands come into power. Imran believes that if any party stands for the same issues as PTI does, then a dialogue and an issue-based collaboration is possible. Since JI shares the same stance on drones and solidarity with an independent judiciary, PTI will engage with them for joint protests, etc.

Imran is not anti-west but pro-Pakistan. After having studied and lived in the west he has acknowledged many times that many of these countries are more Islamic in their conduct than Pakistan. He admires how these countries by being principle centred and accountable have become so developed. He is very clear that we need to develop friendly relations with all countries on equal footing. He is also clear that the Americans would never infringe our sovereignty if our leaders did not allow them. Thus, the formula is simple. Become economically strong and independent and the Americans or any other country will not dare to dictate their terms.

All transformational leaders like Quaid-e-Azam believed that nobody can take away your self-respect if you do not give it to them. The Quaid worked for almost five decades to fight for independence and for the rights of Muslims. Imran today is fighting for restoring the same pride and respect for Pakistanis all over the world. His dream of making the green passport a document of value and reverence is a dream every Pakistani shares. His plan for providing security and transparency to attract overseas Pakistani investment in the country is very similar to how the Chinese economy grew and became the power it is today.

Imran is an autocrat and not a team builder

The image of the angry and upset Imran of younger days was fuelled further by his solo flight as a politician appearing on media for many of the formative years of the party. People felt that his inability to listen to others and connect to many was a huge limit to attract people to his team. However, reality shows that in politics people want to bet on a winning horse and as soon as his viability increased so did his team. In fact, the criticism on him now is to the contrary, i.e. why is he taking people from other teams in his team.

Teams are always built on the basis of not who opposed whom but who best fits in with the job at hand. Obama’s appointment of Hilary is a classic example of how she who opposed many of his stances was still given the top international post due to her experience and competence. It is the quality of the leader to leave behind his own biases and inspire his opponents to share his vision that makes people take the leap of faith. If you take opinion of those who have been with other party leaders to make a comparison between Imran and their previous chairmen they will unanimously tell you that such a democratic leader who listens to every dissenting voice and makes decisions on the basis of thorough consultations is almost unique in political parties.

Then, there are the less popular apprehensions of him being more of a social activist than a politician. If there is one thing that this nation has more or less unanimously agreed upon, and is demanding, is change. If Imran is not a career politician then that is the change we need, because the career politicians have failed time and again to serve this country. Remember this country was not made by career politicians but by people who had the ability to sacrifice self for a higher purpose. Quaid-e-Azam, Allama Iqbal and Sir Syed were not MNAs and MPAs or sons of the political high-ups. This country was made by a lawyer, a poet and a teacher and many like them. People who were not hardcore politicians but had vision, determination and integrity made this country. This country was made by people whose reason of existence was aligned to the reason of existence of the country.  Thus, for this country to change, the time to choose people based on their ancestral fame, their constituency name and their political game is over. Facts show that 90 per cent of leadership failures are character failures. Thus, real facts prove that the myth of only the crooks can play politics is just for those shortlived forced acquisitions of power that result in shameful dismissal and abject disgrace eventually.

They say that those who can change themselves can change the world. Imran is a living example of a man whose sincerity and commitment to a larger purpose has completely transformed him from a man who spent the better part of his life avoiding public for safeguarding his privacy has now given up his life for public.

Imran is a man driven by the vision of restoring faith in this country. Imran is a man driven by the exciting opportunities this country possesses. Imran is a man driven by his resolve to bring social renaissance in the society. His immense passion and relentless determination have always made bets against him a tricky business and will in the coming time prove a risky business for all those who doubt his ability to do the undoable.