Changing Pakistan’s path won’t be easy for Imran Khan

By Avinash Mohananey

Imran Khan’s victory speech may have raised hopes in Pakistan, like many leaders do across the world when they sound idealist and authentic in their maiden speeches.

Khan offered simplistic solutions to complex issues, as if everything would fall in place once he becomes the PM. They were similar to his claim that the moment the US stopped drone strikes, Taliban would melt away.


Domestically, the first issue Khan would face would be allegations of manipulation of elections. This is not new in Pakistan.

The losing side has always made such allegations. Khan did the same in 2013, even launched a sustained campaign. So, he’s going to get a taste of his own medicine.

While the Pakistan electorate should be commended for defeating radical Islamic parties, what really hurt these outfits is lack of adequate support from the Pakistan army which threw its weight behind Khan.

This is a good sign. Even Maulana Fazlur Rehman of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal lost both seats in his home turf of Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.

One must say that as of now there is no concrete evidence of manipulation on polling day by the Pakistan Army and in any case recalcitrant parties will be firmly dealt by the political wing of ISI. Sharif and his outspoken daughter will be made an example. Pakistan’s economy, which is the next big challenge, can’t be dealt without addressing the concerns of the international community.

Pakistan needs foreign investment and financial support. It has come on to the grey list of UN’s Financial Action Task Force for non-compliance on terror financing. The participation of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed of the banned Jamaat-ud Dawa in elections will only make matters worse.

Finally, it boils down to where and in which direction Khan wants to take Pakistan. If the idea is to emerge as a responsible member of the international community, then it has to change its security paradigm, particularly towards India and Afghanistan. He can’t just hide behind the farce created by the Pakistan Army on India.

If he tries to move away from Army’s narrative on regional ‘jihad’, he may risk the same consequences as Sharif. Rooting out corruption was Khan’s main election plank. How will he deal with ‘legitimated’ corruption by the Pakistan Army, their opulent lifestyle and questionable land acquisition drives? Pakistan needs a decisive leadership to change the direction in which the country is heading. It is an uphill task, where, frankly, Khan’s excellence in cricket will be of little use.

The writer is a former IB official who served in Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan