- Why criticise Imran for the wrong reasons?
Prime Minister Imran Khan is unjustly criticised for seeking an IMF programme and appointing former World Bank and IMF hands on key posts. The dismal economic performance under successive governments, whether civilian or military, led them to seek IMF help. As long as those who rule Pakistan fail to learn to live within their means, they will have to knock on the IMF’s doors and accept its directives irrespective of their horrible consequences for the common man, who has to suffer on account of sins committed by the high and mighty.
There are however genuine reasons also to criticise Mr Khan. The PTI chief laid claim to the leadership of the country on the basis of being the skipper of the cricket team that won the World Cup and for setting up an efficient cancer hospital that also provides free treatment to the poor. Running a country is a much more complex thing and requires a basic understanding of the political history of the country, its economy, sociology and ethnicity, along with a flexible personality. Bolstered by his blissful ignorance, a highly ambitious Mr Khan made false promises that helped him win the elections but would continue to haunt him in days to come He claimed that with him as PM the people would willingly pay taxes and expatriates would send back millions of dollars on his appeal. Instead of telling the people to prepare for hard times ahead, Khan promised to lead them to an Eldorado that he called Naya Pakistan with 10 million jobs, five million houses for the poor and zero inflation. With the IMF in the economy’s driving seat and austerity a state policy, the promises cannot be fulfilled.
The PTI chief claimed that he had prepared a well-trained team to run the country. As thing stand, he has discarded his own team, replaced it by WB and IMF men plus those drawn from the teams captained by Musharraf, Zardari, and Nawaz Sharif.
The PTI chief continued to commit blunders even after coming to power. He wasted months over taking a decision regarding IMF support. Even after the decision he spent days dillydallying over a new FBR chief.
