Pakistan’s man of steely resolve

Will Imran’s dream come true?

Imran Khan’s emotional vignette from his hospital bed may have been his best speech yet and is true to character. He seems to be able to dredge up reserves of steely resolve that have stood him in good stead in the sports field as well as in politics. He followed this up with yet another video-link speech at the PTI’s final rally in Islamabad. An intensely private man, he opened his heart to his party members, talking about a dream he had about a new Pakistan at a time when he was going through difficult personal issues.

What was striking about the final PTI rally was the hope and joy that was writ large on the faces of the crowd. It was evident that they had seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Regardless of who wins or loses this election, Pakistan has changed, irretrievably, and for the better.

With the election process now in the final slog overs, the Kaptaan would certainly be saving his best for the last regardless of the restrictions imposed by his doctors. There has been a visible surge in the form of a sympathy vote following the near tragic happenings in Lahore the other day. It remains to be seen to what extent this enthusiasm will convert into the all important seats in the national and provincial assemblies.

The PML-N has moved smoothly through the gears and is now confident of a strong showing. They have deep connections among the career politicians, people who are expert at calling up family, tribal and personal loyalties. The brothers Sharif have also, a cult like following in the Punjab. They are considered doers. They do populist things like building bus services, distributing yellow cabs, laptops,sasti roti et al and hope to transmute this loyalty into the necessary votes that will allow them to retain the precious Takht-e-Lahore. The Islamabad Takht would be a much desired added bonus, but for the PML-N, Punjab is the key.

The mysterious inactivity of the erstwhile ruling Pakistan Peoples’ Party has got many tongues wagging. Is this part of the much publicized ‘Muk Muka’ between the Sharifs and Zardari. Is it the menace of the Taliban threat to PPP leaders which has sent Bilawal Bhutoo scurrying back to Dubai? Or is it the perceived abject performance of the party in its five years at the helm? It could, perhaps, be a mix of all three, but just the fact that the PPP has managed to last five years in the face of concerted assaults from all sides and that they have managed to enact meaningful legislation in this time, is cause for some faint praise. With Asif Zardari comfortably ensconced in the presidential seat and maintaining an enigmatic silence, the PPP probably feels that they will get its “Jiyala” vote and capture enough seats which might enable it to cobble together a coalition with the PML-Q and the other usual suspects. Could this be a fatal miscalculation?

Everything depends on the inroads that the PTI seems to be making amongst the populace. If the social media is to be believed, the PTI has already won hands down. The PTI leaders seem to have done their sums and feel that if there is a good turnout and the women and the youth turn up to cast their vote that they will sweep. After all, the Peoples’ Party under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto also won in 1970, with many attributing the win to the women’s and youth vote. But there are literally tens of millions who do not even know what a computer is and who vote for whom the village or tribal elders tell them to. The PTI’s success or failure will largely depend on whether they can cut across these voting habits. Whether they can draw the Jiyala vote to their side and whether they can encroach upon the Sharifs’ admittedly opportunistic dalliances with the electables. This election is so unpredictable that it could be termed a “mystery wrapped in an enigma” as per Churchillian speak.

The PPP should do well in interior Sind. The MQM will get its share of the Karachi votes. The PML-N will be strong in the Punjab. But the PTI will cut swathes through all. It has become a truly national party and has evoked a swell of patriotism because of its message of clean governance, good management and an uncompromising commitment to a Naya Pakistan. It has in its leader, a man who has achieved everything in life that he has set out to do and is known for his habit of never giving up. He sets his faith in the process and is fully convinced that if the process is right the results will, inevitably follow. These characteristics are developed on the field of sport but are applicable in every walk of life. Khan has assembled a small group of talented, committed people who have already put together detailed plans so that they can hit the ground running, so to speak, in the event of an election win. Should they not make it, then they will form a strong opposition, making things very difficult for whoever has to oppose them in the house.

Should Imran Khan not make it to the PM’s slot, then the obvious other option would be Nawaz Sharif. A man whose public speaking and statements belie his supporters’ claims of high intelligence and vision, Nawaz Sharif certainly has some craftiness and political acumen that has made him prime minister twice and he sees himself as favourite this time again. Sharif would be well advised to learn from his past turns at the bat, so to speak. His previous terms were riddled with impulsive, whimsical decisions that did no credit to him or his party. It is hoped that the ‘new’ Nawaz Sharif, if elected, will refrain from personal vendettas that are being whispered about and work towards the greater good. As prime minister, he is obligated to do that. Otherwise he may bring the whole house of cards down on himself as in the past. It is, however, a cause for worry that in his last statement in the last jalsa before the elections he stated: ‘hum qarzay aap ke darwazon tak pohanchayen ge’. Please Mr.Sharif, no more of that!

In the unlikely scenario that the PPP manages to cobble together a coalition, it could very well be one of the Choudhrys who would be the leading contenders as prime minister, probably Ch Parvez Elahi, who did a reasonably good job as CM Punjab. With Asif Zardari gazing benevolently from the presidency, the Choudhrys’ softer, ‘jor tor’ kind of politics will continue to take the country along its present path.

But it seems, to this scribe, that the winds of change are already sweeping across this country. Imran Khan’s message of a New Pakistan has struck a chord in the hearts of Pakistanis across all walks of life. Unlike in the past, Imran’s is a household name amongst the entire populace, from the business tycoons to the old man harvesting peanuts in the fields. He looks set to break the decades old mould of biradari and mutual benefit politics and lead this country to a fresh, new direction. Wazeer-e Azam Imran Khan. It has a nice ring to it!