Did PTI fail? Khan must now step down of the container and deliver...

 

By Usman Torwali

From the very beginning, Imran Khan seemed to have a visionary outlook towards the development of the nation and country. The sincerity and determination reflected in his speeches and the novel slogan of change in Pakistani politics, attracted the masses, entrusting him with a government to change things. Soon the practicability of the Khan’s motto entangled by different elements proved less progressive and more retrogressive, as more and more support suffering was inflicted on the masses. Did it result from the incompetency of leadership or structural barriers posed hindrances to the implementation of programs? Whatever might be the case Khan’s government is stumbling is likely to be dropped out of the arena in the next general elections. Why is it so? Maybe Khan’s attitude towards government or rather politics.

It perhaps is now revealed upon Mr. Imran Khan that running a government is far more difficult an activity than standing on a container and criticizing the then government. Mobilizing people and staging protests against the then government was fruitful if to suppose so, but continuously degrading the moral by repeatedly passing immoral phrases against the political rivals has done irreversible harm to Pakistani politics. The fierce claims of ridding off corruption, nepotism, and favoritism from the personnel and institutions in the country have also proved mere a political point-scoring tool for the triumph in the general elections – as no solid goals have been achieved so far. Citizens and especially workers of the PTI are also left with no choice except to keep their lips closed when and if there is any opposition to the ruling party.

Being the valiant soldiers of PTI, how would have they swallowed criticism over their party and leaders!

Three years have passed but the citizens have not witnessed changes anywhere in the country. The economy is shambling, the foreign policy is shattered, the national security is compromised, poverty and unemployment soaring up above unbelievable levels. The leisure, wealth, and prestige of the corrupt and criminal elites are the same. The taxation system is one that prevailed before the government. The bureaucracy, Police, and NAB-like institutions are unreformed, not unpoliticized, and not even budged in their operative fields. The autonomy of Media, Journalists and other civil society members has been put in the pocket of PEMRA.

Still and all, the hard county moves on under the leader on the container. Will he step down in the last and perhaps in the defeating stage? Perhaps No. Well, time and bosses decide fate. But still, Khan should have a bit of leverage of the masses’ support, which is rapidly vanishing.

The continuous deterioration of citizens’ security also leaves one flabbergasted. How a rational being can shut his eyes to the onslaught of humankind. Be that poverty, extremism, terrorism, or other security-related matters. The citizens are done of all these. As apart from the rising cases of violence, prevalent in the religious circles, against the minorities there are rampant abuses against women and girls that have been consecutively increased in the past three years in the PTI government. According to the World Report 2022 “Violence against women and girls—including rape, murder, acid attacks, domestic violence, and forced marriage—is endemic throughout Pakistan. Human rights defenders estimate that roughly 1,000 women are killed in so-called honor killings every year.” Another report issued by the World Economic Forum says, “Pakistan ranks 153 out of 156 nations on the Global Gender Gap 2021 index.”

The unpopular single national curriculum education policy is also a slap on the face of national integration. Introducing SNC to such a diverse and heterogeneous population is not going to work in the long term: but despite the strong opposition from different circles the incumbent government imposed it. Another hallmark of the PTI’s achievements is undemocratization and centralization. Again and over again presidential ordinances have been promulgated while parliament is sidelined. To the common masses, this might not make any sense but there is little democracy since the ordinances have by far outnumbered laws passed by the national assembly. This attitude is again demonstrated in repeatedly resorting to the debate of presidential setup, which the current government holds fit for the country.

Along with all these self-destructive policies of the PTI, there is a naïve and apathetic attitude towards the provincial governments in the top leadership. Mr. Buzdar and Mehmood Khan have long been proved the most incompetent boys but still are cherished by the PM.

In the past three years, one big thing that has been seen and experienced everywhere is the reluctance of Imran Khan. Be that is related to the provincial top boys, implementing a national policy, rising inflation, the EVMs, or in meeting with the opposition leader. There is reluctance on the part of Imran Khan. Even the constitutional methods have been ignored.

https://en.humsub.com.pk/3604/did-pti-fail/

Khan must now step down of the container and deliver what he had promised before the elections. The ongoing presidential system debate has no realism as the PTI cannot afford the amendment procedure. Abreast with that, there is also a legal limitation to the presidential setup. It is a futile debate just to divert and distract citizens from the problems at hand. Moreover, there is very little time left for anything worthwhile to be done for keeping the party image and unity intact. The PTI is stranded in the waters. It seems from different sources that the party has lost its connections with the establishment as well. So, it can be concluded that PTI is struggling to win an already lost game.