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Politics of Captain

(Written By: Abdul Basit Alvi)

In the realm of politics, truth can often be hard to find out, and the commitments made by political leaders may not always match reality. After taking office in 2018, Imran Khan faced scrutiny for alleged inaccuracies and unkept promises.

During his election campaign, Imran Khan pledged to revolutionize Pakistan’s economy, vowing to generate millions of jobs, eradicate poverty, and stimulate economic growth. However, in reality many of these assurances remained unfulfilled. Economic indicators painted a bleak picture, with escalating inflation, unemployment, and a weakening currency adversely affected ordinary citizens. Khan’s economic strategies fallen short, with austerity measures and reliance on loans failed to produce tangible outcomes.

Transparency and accountability were pivotal themes of Imran Khan‘s political agenda, with commitments to combat corruption and hold the powerful accountable. However, these endeavors were marred by the selective targeting of political adversaries while ignoring allegations of corruption within his own administration. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), tasked with probing corruption, faced accusations of bias and pursuing political vendettas, casting doubt on the sincerity of Khan’s anti-corruption campaign.

Imran Khan’s tenure was characterized by frequent policy reversals, leading to allegations of inconsistency and a lack of foresight. From his approach to engaging with militant groups to his management of diplomatic relations with India, Khan’s shifting stances left many bewildered and disillusioned. These abrupt changes undermined the credibility of his government and eroded public trust in its ability to fulfill its commitments.

The Ehsaas program, heralded as Pakistan’s largest social welfare initiative, aimed to alleviate poverty and empower marginalized communities. However, the program fell short of addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality, with limited impact on improving the lives of the most vulnerable. Furthermore, reductions in social welfare budgets and inadequate implementation hindered the effectiveness of poverty alleviation efforts, leading many to doubt Khan’s promises of social justice.

Accusations of democratic regression and the erosion of civil liberties plagued Imran Khan’s leadership. From crackdowns on media freedom to allegations of electoral manipulation, his government’s adherence to democratic norms came into question. Khan’s authoritarian tendencies and intolerance of dissent posed a threat to Pakistan’s democratic institutions and diverse society, undermining principles of accountability and transparency.

Regrettably, a culture of sportsmanship is absent in the Pakistani political system. A stark illustration of the absence of sportsmanship in Pakistani politics is evident in the behavior of Imran Khan and his associates, who only acknowledge victory and consistently deny defeat. Although Imran Khan’s government was brought to an end through a legitimate political process, he has a track record of accepting only those outcomes that suit his interests. Following the conclusion of his government, he swiftly shifted blame to the United States and the Pakistani Army for its downfall. The events of May 9th last year showcased actions by Imran Khan and his allies that surpassed what even enemies of Pakistan could done in seven decades. Despite being incarcerated, he continues to employ tactics aimed at inciting public sentiment against institutions.

Recently, while in jail, Imran Khan accused the country’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, of directly orchestrating the imprisonment of his wife, Bushra Bibi. Bushra Bibi, aged 49, has been convicted in a corruption case and in a case related to an unlawful marriage with Khan, aged 71. Currently, she remains under house arrest at their Bani Gala residence in the outskirts of Islamabad. Imran Khan made these allegations against the army chief during a conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail, as documented in a post shared on Khan’s official social media account. “General Asim Munir is directly implicated in the sentencing of my wife,” Khan stated, further asserting that the judge who pronounced her guilty claimed to have been coerced into his decision. He issued threats, declaring that if any harm were to come to his wife, he would pursue General Munir relentlessly, vowing to expose what he deemed as unconstitutional and illegal actions. Khan decried a state of lawlessness in the country, attributing all actions to the “king of the jungle.” He alleged that the dispensation of justice was arbitrary, suggesting that while the “king of the jungle” pardoned all cases against Nawaz Sharif at will, his own party was swiftly punished in multiple instances within days.

Imran Khan has been detained at Adiala Jail since August of the previous year, while Bushra Bibi has been confined to their Bani Gala residence, which has been converted into a sub-jail. She was convicted in February in a case related to an “un-Islamic marriage.” Earlier, during a hearing of a corruption case at Adiala Jail, Khan informed the judge of an alleged attempt to poison his wife. He claimed that she exhibited symptoms such as skin and tongue marks as side effects of the alleged poisoning. However, Bushra Bibi’s personal physician conducted a medical examination and confirmed that she had not been exposed to any toxic substances.

In the past, Imran Khan has also leveled baseless and erroneous accusations against senior military leadership. A few months ago, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan made allegations claiming that a “top intelligence official” was responsible for assassination attempts against him and would bear responsibility if any harm befell him in the future. In a video message released before his departure for the federal capital, where he was scheduled to appear in court, Imran asserted that he had previously informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) about the involvement of “dirty Harry,” the senior officer, in the attempts on his life. He further claimed that the joint investigation team (JIT) looking into the Wazirabad case had its findings undermined by this official.

Imran continued by stating that the second assassination attempt occurred on March 18 outside the Islamabad judicial complex and expressed concern for the safety of PTI leader Murad Saeed. “They claim that terrorists are targeting him [Saeed], but any harm that comes to him will be attributed to ‘dirty Harry’,” he asserted. The former prime minister reiterated that if any harm befell him, it would be the responsibility of “dirty Harry” and not terrorists or foreign agencies. “I have received threats from him and those associated with him,” he added.

Stirring controversy over the February 8 general elections, PTI founder Imran Khan confirmed a few weeks ago that he had written a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), urging the global lender to thoroughly scrutinize the election results before providing any new financial assistance to Islamabad. This action clearly indicates his ego and superiority complex, demonstrating a preference for his personal politics over the interests of the state.

Recently, Imran Khan’s X account has disseminated content critical of the state and has propagated false narratives and misinformation targeting state institutions, notably the military, seemingly with the intent of provoking military personnel to rebel. In a video shared on this account, he draws comparisons between Sheikh Mujeeb Ur Rahman and General Yahya, insinuating who might be considered a traitor. This video essentially shifts blame onto the Pakistani Army and its leadership, while disregarding the contentious role of politicians and alleged Indian interference in the fall of Dhaka. It is perplexing how the social media account of an individual incarcerated can be utilized to propagate such anti-state sentiments. This raises the question of whether other inmates in jail enjoy similar privileges. Imran Khan, who has championed the establishment of a Riasat e Madina (State of Medina), contradicts this aspiration by availing himself of privileges unavailable to other inmates. In the true Riasat e Madina, rules and laws applied universally, irrespective of one’s status. Imran Khan’s actions and conduct cast doubt on the sincerity of his pledges to transform the country into a Riasat e Madina, suggesting they may have merely been political rhetoric. Later, there was a claim from someone within PTI that Imran Khan’s X account is managed from the US. If this is accurate, it highlights a contradiction in the leader’s stance and a pattern of dishonesty. Imran Khan himself has previously accused the US of orchestrating the removal of his government and has made numerous statements against the US and its administration. If these allegations were sincere and heartfelt, why would his X account be operated from the very country he accuses of interfering in his government’s affairs?

His conduct, as well as that of his party’s senior leadership, has been consistent. Another example is the statement made by Sher Afzal Marwat. During a private TV program, Sher Afzal Marwat suggested that Saudi Arabia was involved in the regime change operation, asserting that this operation had occurred with the cooperation of Saudi Arabia and America, and that all investments coming into Pakistan were part of this plan.

It is remarkable that Imran Khan entered politics under the banner of change and clean governance, but the reality has been quite the opposite. The importance of clean politics cannot be overstated for the health and stability of any democratic society. Clean politics entails a system where transparency, integrity, and accountability are upheld across all levels of governance. It fosters trust and confidence among citizens in their government and elected representatives. When people believe that their leaders are honest and acting in the public’s best interests, they are more likely to actively engage in the democratic process and adhere to the rule of law.

Read more: PTI to Challenge Punjab Defamation Law in Court

Captain & Co seek respect while showing disrespect to others. Within the intricate fabric of human interactions, the principle of “give respect and take respect” stands as a timeless guideline for nurturing mutual understanding, cooperation, and harmony. Rooted in the belief that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and consideration, this principle serves as the foundation of healthy relationships, both interpersonal and societal. By embracing the reciprocity of respect, individuals can foster a culture of empathy, civility, and mutual regard, enriching society with kindness and understanding.

Indeed, Captain & Co have greatly disappointed the people of Pakistan. Their actions, offensive language, ego, and hostility towards the people and institutions of Pakistan have led to a decline in their popularity. The citizens of the country have discerned their ulterior motives and have rejected them. Captain & Co should reassess their attitudes and prioritize the state and its dignity over their politics.

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