PTI’s amateur hour
IF you need any proof that Mr Imran Khan is not ready to wield power, much less execute complex ‘plans’ for the economic revival of this country, look no further than the conundrum in which he finds himself in the ongoing talks on selecting an interim prime minister.
First Mr Khan complained on various TV talk shows that the two big parties — the PML-N and PPP — were not reaching out to him when deciding on the interim prime minister.
Then we hear from the PML-N that Mr Khan had provided them with names of his preferred candidates. Then Mr Khan denied having any contact with the PML-N. Then the latter released the two names in question, and also revealed the names of the people through whom Mr Khan’s wishes had been communicated.
So has Mr Khan been talking on the sly with the very party he loves to vilify? And if so, why is it so hard for him to admit it? And why would he complain that the big parties are not consulting him when deciding this important matter?
The fact is that Mr Khan has painted himself into a corner and cannot figure out how to get out of it. He has presented himself as a candidate above politics, but at the same time has to navigate the facts of life in a parliamentary democracy, which are always negotiated. Now that the negotiations have begun, and will only grow in scope and complexity as the election cycle unfolds, he is left fumbling for a response.
There is plenty that is going to be negotiated from here onwards. A date for when the polls will be held is next on the agenda, after the composition of the interim government has been agreed upon, and at least one party — the PML-N — has already announced its preference for the date to be “no later than January”. Does Mr Khan intend to participate in these parleys, or does he intend to sit them out too?
Of course, the real negotiations will begin after election day. A lot will depend on the new parliamentary arithmetic that emerges from the election, but notice once again how the PTI is the only party that has revealed what its post-election strategy is going to be.
In multiple forums, Mr Khan has clearly stated that his party will either form the next government on their own or will sit in opposition. On no account, he says, will his party consider becoming a coalition partner with the PML-N or the PPP, although in a June rally in Mirpurkhas he opened the door to forming a government with the Jamaat-i-Islami.
This is vintage Khan: no compromise, no middle ground, no negotiation. This is either supreme self-confidence or supreme amateurishness. It makes no sense in a parliamentary democracy to tie your own hands by staking out such rigid positions so early in the game.
One is also puzzled by his insistence that the mainstream parties like the PML-N- and PPP are responsible for the mess the country is in, but the JI is not. If the mainstream parties are morally repugnant, how come there’s no feeling of shame in walking to the residence of Sheikh Rashid to form an electoral alliance?
By insisting on forming his own government, with only minor parties as allies, Mr Khan is trying to create a moment whose last parallel was seen in the 1997 elections, when Mr Sharif’s PML had swept into power with a massive mandate — a two-thirds majority in parliament. But it’s important to note an important difference between that election and this one. At that time, Mr Sharif’s party was the only one contesting in Punjab besides the PPP, whereas this time there are four major parties in the biggest province , an unprecedented state of affairs in Pakistan’s political history.
Since Punjab’s share of seats in the National Assembly is critical to building a viable majority, and since it is unlikely that any one player is going to sweep the province the way Mr Sharif did in 1997, it follows that no single party will emerge with the numbers to ‘go it alone’ in the aftermath of the election.
It will take deft negotiation to form the next government, and skilful politics to hold it together, but Mr Khan has already opted out of the process saying time and time again that he will not enter a coalition with the mainstream parties.
Clearly it is Mr Khan’s right to choose his style of politics and his coalition partners. But in a parliamentary democracy it is always wise to keep channels of communication open with all players and not to wall yourself off behind red lines.
It’s possible to see a contradiction behind his refusal to talk to the mainstream parties on the grounds that they are “responsible for the mess the country is in” whilst he signals his willingness to engage with parties that have been active players in the growing encroachment of religious injunctions in the spheres of law, policy and politics.
But there is always the question of whether ‘corruption’ has created more of a mess than the fanning of religious fears and animosities in this country.
Mr Khan’s predicament is set to become more and more difficult as the election cycle wears on. His fondness for taking hard and rigid positions, then looking for ways to climb down from them will not serve him well.
And it’ll be the same if the time should come for him to implement his ‘plan’ for the country’s economic revival, where politics and negotiation also play a crucial part in carrying a large agenda forward.
This is amateur politics, and the sooner Mr Khan is able to shed this style, the better off his party is going to be in the realities of Pakistan’s parliamentary politics.
The writer is a Karachi-based journalist covering business and economic policy.
Watever. Vote for Imrran Khan.
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In the given time IK is far more better choice for the country ,and i must say these kind of writers can be found in hundreds in this country but we the people of this country should not lose our sight from our goal which is to give a chance to some one who can be trusted to lead us to a better life , a dignified life .
We are with Khan and we believe in his sincerity as he has showed with his struggle and clean record. Shame on yellow journalism.
the two parties PPP and PML N have been tried and tested, and have failed to the highest level. Imran Khan has not been tried and tested. These 2 main parties are working together, do u really think that PPP and PML N will play it fair?
do u really think that both parties will want free and fair elections?
“amateur” I dont know what author tries to imply here but this is is definitely what we need. Author should just sit and interview the “professional politicians”. A piece like this reflects poorly on the news paper as well.
khurram sahib can you please tell me and everybody who are you? have you ever created your own party? do you have a experience in politics? have you ever succeeded on making hard decision? I guess not.
On what criteria are you giving a review when he is not even tested and election process hasn’t begun. It is like you are reviewing a movie and giving final verdict before the release.
Great piece!!! Don’t worry Mr. writer, these pti trolls will take time to admit their so called leader’s dumb politics. Way to go
what an immature article reflecting personal prejudice….
Khurram, is right politics is art of possible otherwise there is a no need of Ex ppp,pml top men in the pti .khan shab has accepted it and said they r winnable
Mr. Khurram has the right to express his opinions and also the right to cast his vote to parties which he thinks are indeed ready to lead the country.
one can never take a solo flight….
Very petty, very biased, very unlike the Khurram Hussain that I like to read
I believe that he has to make some clear view points where he wants to go especially on the war on terror. he has to find a mix of east and west. there is no way out to make one line decision that will only destiny his team and efforts.
i can just pray that he may have learn from his rigidity
Imran Khan will not be able to provide a cure for all that ails our very very sick nation. The writer’s criticism is based on what is right for democracy and traditional politics. I am sick of traditional politics and it’s “wise” courses and actions.
I will vote for Imran Khan to give him a chance, any sane person should. What has the PPP and PML or for that matter any other party done in the past that they should be voted back into power? It is insanity to vote for those who have completely failed in the past. When people go to cast their vote they should remember that nothing will change if we don’t get rid of these failing baffoons…. and take responsibility for the fact that if things have gone wrong in the past, it has been due to our mistakes for selecting the wrong people to lead us…it’s time to give someone else/someone different to have a go.
We all start as amateurs, especially in politics. Besides, how many economists do we have among politicians of the world? All what I know is that Imran Khan is a potential leader we need (period) –you know that and I know that. Lets not turn our uneducated public against him. You have none else to take his place. You and I know that, too.
he is still a better choice then the corrupt dishonest leader te country has at present.
I fail to understand that all those criticizing IK have suddenly woken up after the
Lahore jalsa. IK is an amateur in politics but AAZ is a master player in the art of politics. He has single handedly managed the Army, NS and Judiciary. Look where he has gotten us.
Puleez you can keep the master player , we want somebody who is simple, honest and sincere!!!!!!!!!
we love khan and the reason is simple. he is different from others.. and he is not doing conventional pilitics which is a power politics…. IK is on the right path and we support him.
Completely disagree more with the basic premise of the article.
Imran Khan is 10 times more ready to take power than Benazir was in 1988 (at the age of 36 with zero experience)
And Imran Khan is a 100 times more ready to take power than Asif Zardari was in 2007.
spot on. IK totally in a state of confusion, full of contradictions and u-turns. He’s only thriving on blame game against punjab govt. Nothing concrete to offer, just shallow words and typical political waffle.
This article is intellectual dishonesty .we have fallen in the pit of ignorance and has sold our conscience for some rupees and perks. I am really despondent by dawn News. The neutrality & objectivity of DAWN has lost somewhere. Among alternatives on political scene PTI is best choice by miles
A BIASED JUDGEMENT.
there has been no formal communication between PTI and PML.N on the interim government. this has ben clarified by IK. he was contacted through SMS and off the record . interim government setup is a big issue and if PML N is serious( which they are never) then they should formally contact PTI, there should be a proper discussion held discussing the pros and cons before coming to a conclusion. PTIs door are open for such talks and discussions.
Imran is the voice of change. You want him to think and act like other politician and yet represent a change. Any of his act or saying is used to paint him as naive or as “not a fit” for Pakistani politics. If he avoids compromise, he is stubborn and if he negotiates, he is one of them Come on give him room to play. Otherwise confess you are ok with the current set of politicians.
Excellent. very well said.
Mr. Shahid Latif’s point is well taken. However, the main point highlighted here is, no matter what your personal style or character may be, in the parliamentary system of government, you should be able to communicate with other parties with professional courtesy and with compromising attitude (Not compromising your principles), Mr. Khan is a voice of change, of course. He deserves recognition for it. However, to be a leader of change, he must earn the credentials of a persuader – not a hammer.
Hear! Hear!
Well said Shahid. looking at some of these articles, sometimes I think that we don’t deserve some like IK. It’s like we don’t have the eyes and brains to see how Pakistan is getting looted by our so called season politicians. What do they have to do for us to realize and see that they are in politics for serving themselves and politicians standing by them? IK on the other hand is a gift from GOD and we are rejecting it whole heartedly.
Agreed but astonished what do you expect of Pakistani Media who are on payroll of authorities, Businessmen and mercy of feudal class.