Last Man Standing

Imran Khan has single-handedly taken on combined might of traditional political parties

At the Chief Minister House Peshawar, Imran Khan’s schedule appears more hectic compared to the time when he was the prime minister of Pakistan. Back-to-back meetings with senior party leaders, young supporters and activists and the taxing media interactions require a lot of stamina and patience. Close aides of Imran Khan say that he breezes through the exhausting day — which also often include a dash to a public meeting to some other city or town — with remarkable focus, energy and poise.

As Imran Khan struggles to force the government and its backers to accept his demand for an early free and fair elections, the political stakes could never have been higher and days tougher for him. The former cricket mega star-turned politician has single-handedly taken on the combined might of the traditional political, religious and ethnic forces, which managed to grab power through a controversial no-confidence motion against him in April.

Bol Media Group President and Editor-In-Chief Amir Zia (L) and PTI Chairman Imran Khan (R). Image: Mian Khursheed/ Bol

That is not all. The once close relations with the country’s mighty military establishment have also turned sour against the backdrop of the new posture of institutional “neutrality.” While the “politically-correct position” has been hailed by many of the traditional political parties, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and many common Pakistanis see it as condoning the corrupt and their corruption.

The debate on whether the military should be “apolitical” and remain totally aloof in these testing political and economic times has deeply polarized not just Pakistani politics, but also the society.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan. Image: Mian Khursheed/ Bol

“These are the decisive moments for Pakistan,” the former prime minister told ‘Bol News’ in an interview at the CM House in Peshawar. (See the detailed extracts of the interview on page 3). “Pakistan is hurtling toward disaster under the most corrupt rulers who have been thrust on this nation…

“If the establishment does not take right decisions now, the army will suffer, and the country will be ruined. The imminent economic collapse is putting Pakistan’s unity at stake.”

Needless to say, the former premier’s concerns cannot be simply brushed aside as the US-led bloc, which now also includes India, has long been trying to transform Pakistan into a pliant state. The country’s nuclear programme – the one and only in the Muslim world – and its armed forces have long remained the target of  hostile forces.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan. Image: Mian Khursheed/Bol

In case of a looming economic meltdown or default on external loan payments, the country’s institutions, including the Pakistan Armed Forces, would also take the brunt which in turn would threaten national security.

In Imran Khan’s view, all those Muslim countries suffered where the institution of the army weakened. He said that the hostile powers and their think tanks had long been working on scenarios to divide Pakistan. An economic collapse would provide them an opportunity to strike and may lead to the ripping of Pakistan into three pieces, he said, adding that India, Israel and the US nexus were working overtime against the country.

He reiterated his allegation that a US-sponsored conspiracy was the main reason for the fall of his government. “Look at how the fall of the PTI government was celebrated in India as its news channels endorsed the rise of Sharifs and their allies.”

Imran Khan struggled for 26 long years – mostly in political wilderness – with an aim to seal the fate of the two leading political dynasties of Sharifs and Zardaris, whom he considers corrupt to the core. This goal appeared achievable when he became the prime minister after the 2018 general elections, though his detractors try to undermine his achievement by alleging that it was made possible only with the blessing of the military, a charge vehemently denied by both Imran Khan and the Pakistan Army.

However, barely a little over three-and-a-half years down the road, the political establishment – comprising  the political dynasties and traditional political, religious and ethnic forces – struck in tandem to oust Imran Khan’s government. Although there was no popular movement or street agitation against Imran Khan’s government, the palace intrigues did the trick.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan. Image: Mian Khursheed/ Bol

More than two dozen PTI lawmakers were bribed to switch sides in the National Assembly (although on D-Day, they refrained from voting for the no-confidence motion) and the allies were lured with promises of a greater share in power. Now that these PTI dissidents form the friendly opposition in the National Assembly, it has put a question mark on Pakistan’s parliamentary form of democracy which can be so easily manipulated and corrupted.

“I waged jihad against these two corrupt families,” Imran Khan said. “The painful reality is that they are back in power… yes, thieves have again been given reins of power in Pakistan. This is a treachery with the country,” he said, expressing his resolve that he would continue to fight this corrupt and entrenched mafia.

The huge odds have not dampened the spirit of the “captain” as he is affectionately called by his close aides, supporters and fans. All the threats to life, the government’s plan for his arrest and the organized character assassination campaign have not weakened his resolve. In every public interaction, the former prime minister appears as usual confident and composed as he asks his followers to continue with the struggle.

“It is not politics. It is a jihad. It is the question of taking a stand for Pakistan which is in danger,” he said. And many Pakistanis are responding to his call and connecting with his message as they see him as the last man standing against the flawed dynastic democracy and corruption.

Bol Media Group President and Editor-In-Chief Amir Zia (L) and PTI Chairman Imran Khan (R). Image: Mian Khursheed/ Bol

It is not just the anti-dynastic politics and anti-corruption narrative which makes him dear to his followers. They also remain wedded to his idea of an independent foreign policy and back his stance of no talks with India until New Delhi revokes its unilateral Aug 2019 legislation that scrapped even the symbolic autonomy of the occupied Kashmir.

In fact, Imran Khan appears to be holding all the powerful cards which are close to the hearts of most Pakistanis. This makes him a formidable force even though all the traditional power centers now stand opposed to him.

However, while Imran Khan stands tall as the only national leader having a following across Pakistan, even his well-wishers in the party say that his team is weak. “Imran Khan needs to work on his team which can deliver both during the days in opposition as well as when he is in the government,” said one of his close aides requesting anonymity. “Some of the party bigwigs have no experience of mass politics or we can say that they are not cut out for that role, while the others are insincere and looking for opportunities for themselves,” he said. “There are also those, who when in power, earned a bad name for the party because of their corruption. Khan cannot fight alone on every front.”

Lack of experience is one thing which Imran Khan also admits as he vows to learn from the past and make a better team.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan. Image: Mian Khursheed/ Bol

While talking about his days in power, he said that the PTI had a weak government. “We were blackmailed by all – from our allies, many of whom we did not know, to the party backbenchers.

“Given a choice, I will not accept to head a weak government, but rather go for re-election to get a clear mandate,” he said. “This is not a good idea that you have all the responsibility, but no power. Next time it would be different.”

But before the next big chance comes for the great Khan, at least for now it is back to the political wilderness and days of uncertainty – a challenge which he appears to relish.