STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Early February 1997 the air still had the wintry chill in Saidu Sharif, the capital of Swat. It was the scene of the last political rally by PTI Chairman Imran Khan before the elections. I was accompanying him. We had chosen this venue because out of the multiple seats that PM IK was contesting, this had the best chance of winning. The atmosphere was festive with throngs of Swatis showing up to hear the message of change that PTI had adopted as their election platform.
The public meeting was a resounding success. The team decided to stay on in Swat on elections day on February 3rd, 1997. Everyone was upbeat and PM IK interacted with adoring voters at various polling stations. Cell phones were not common then and had signal issues, so land lines were organized in the hotel to keep in touch with PTI headquarters in Lahore. The team and supporters were abuzz in anticipation. I was an old hand at politics even then, being involved since the seventies, so I had a more realistic view, but I kept my thoughts to myself!
Results started to trickle in early evening and by midnight we had a pretty clear picture. PTI was wiped out and PML(N) emerged victorious getting 2/3rd majority. Why not? The whole thing had been engineered between President Leghari, Nawaz Sharif and the umpires. Everyone was dejected.
Around 2am I knocked on PM IK’s door. I found him quite relaxed. Folks I marvel at his shock absorbers. The two of us sat down and I was stuck on the elections results. PM IK had within the past few hours digested the verdict and all he wanted to talk about were consequences of defeat and how we move on. His words still echo in my ears “Yaar what has happened is pretty clear, how do we move on?” His next utterance was the ultimate in being a realist, “I am concerned the donations to Shaukat Khanum will dry up.” I clearly felt at that moment that nothing impacts this “comeback kid” and with Allah’s blessings and PM IK’s determination he was bound to prevail someday.
That was then and a lot of water has flown under the bridge since. I moved to Canada in 1998. PM IK was not happy but he understood the needs of raising a young family. We kept in touch over the years. I witnessed and shared the ups and downs in the fortunes of PTI. When it shrank to the residence of PM IK in parliamentary lodges in the first decade, to its explosion on the national scene in 2011. Throughout this period, I found PM IK unfazed in his commitment and determination in our interactions. He had opportunities to take shortcuts to power, some of which I am privy to, but PM IK was uncompromising. Finally, the voters responded in 2018, but not enough to give a clear majority.
On 25th April PTI completed 25 years of existence. PM IK’s twitter message was heartening when he recognized founding members including my late buddy Ahsan Rashid and Naeem Ul Haq. An off-the-cuff remark by co-founder Mehmood Awan said it all. Do you need to die to be recognized by PM IK? That is a huge chink in his armor. In the last three decades scores of Pakistanis at home and abroad gave PTI time, commitment, expertise and support. Many refused to be drawn into the ruthless, rough and tumble world required to be a courtier. All they expected in return was respect and recognition. Neither was forthcoming. That was not the way of our beloved Prophet for his Sahaba from whom PM IK draws inspiration. He should create a cell within the Party to reach out to this huge reservoir of selfless supporters.
Once in power PM IK faced the reality of elite capture. Accountability and reforms challenged the entrenched mafias of politics, business and bureaucracy. They have tailored the state systems to serve their selfish goals of self-enrichment. Unholy nexus between these power bases have confronted and blunted all efforts by PM IK to implement his programs. Few parliamentarians have loyalty to the poor; they represent vested interests and do their bidding. The recent challenges within PTI threatening to bring down the Government emanates from the compromised protecting the corrupt.
It is impossible under the present system to bring any meaningful change. Negative narratives are corroding the power base of PTI compounded by some erroneous decisions by PM IK. In 2023 KP could be secure, PPP’s hold on Sind is undiluted, Karachi is lost, and Baluchistan will continue as a bag of mixed goodies. Punjab has throughout catapulted leaders to national leadership including PM IK. It is under severe threat.
The larger issue is whether any change can be brought to this nation under this faulty Westminster type democracy? It is a big fat no. We must visit the fundamentals of the present system. Over a hundred countries practice democracy around the globe; many are shifting towards presidential system away from unwieldy parliaments. That is the need of the hour if we must get out of our present quagmire. There are legal ways to achieve it through a referendum. PM IK needs to make a bold move in that direction immediately. The alternates are not desirable. Being ruled by a dictatorship or return to the vicious circle of corrupt led by PML(N) or PPP.
