Imran Khan and the problems of Pakistan

In recent days Imran Khan has emerged as a real sensable spokes person. First when asked whether Altaf Hussain should have said what he has said in Delhi, Imran defended Altaf's right of free speech though at the same time differed with his views greatly. Then he said that he is ready to form an alliance with any political party on three issues; independent judiciary, independent election commission and independent accountability bureau. And then just yesterday he said that he cannot rule out an alliance with some major political force in the coming elections. All three instances show that he is maturing as a politician.

Freedom of speech and tolerance of a good listener is probably the most important trait that our society needs right now. Anyone must be allowed to say anything and express any views and yet at the same time even if we disagree with his or her opinion, the practice of labelling people as traitors and kafirs must stop here. Neither our religion nor nationalism is weak enough to be demaged by the incorrect views of the few. No matter what one says and what one does, it must be taken in the spirit of a healthy debate. No Pakistani requires a certificate from Nawa-i-Waqt or Tehreek-e-Karkunan-e-Pakistan for his Pakistani nationality. Neither does one require a certificate of being a muslim from Mansora or Dar-ul-aloom Haqania. We must salute Imran Khan for standing for a principle.

None can disagree with the independence of judiciary, election commission and accountability bureau. Even beyond that, they should not only be independent but powerful. And at the same time honest and transparent in their functioning. Political class of this country is the one that has suffered the most in abscense of these independent institutions and a consensus between the popular leadership should not be a difficult task.

And now about the political alliance for the next general elections. Knowing the honest person he is, he must be knowing that his by now is a one man party. A lot needs to be done to convert his party into a main stream political party. Solo flight will not be a wise decision for him and so his decision to go for alliances is a right move at the right time. But keeping in view his past record of political miscalculations, he must be very careful this time around. On the national political scene Imran Khan has three options to form an election alliance; MMA, PML(N) and PPP.

Many say that it is most likely that he will form an alliance with MMA. He has been with them in the past and his political views, specially on issues like Wana operation are closest to MMA. In a recent meeting with him at his residence, one could easily feel how strong he feels about Wana operation. Though his views on Wana and Anti-US sentiment are inline with MMA aggenda, an alliance with MMA will be a mistake on his part. Imran Khan by all means is a liberal muslim who believes in a free and tolerant society. If he makes an alliance with MMA, these issues will come to haunt him in the times to come. Also, MMA is not likely to be a sizable political force in the coming elections, so even in terms of real politik, it will not be a worthy deal.

This leaves him with two main stream political parties PML(N) and PPP. One problem that he will face with both the parties is the US policy of both the parties specially their leadership. Another problem will be the number of seats that he will get as a result of allying with these parties. These being mainstream political parties with populat support and vote bank are not likely to offer him enough seats.

Leaving these differences aside, an alliance with one of the two parties will be a good political move on his part. This will ensure him some strength in the parliament. Also, this will give a few members of his party to experience the governance first hand. And last but not the least, allying with the ruling party will give his party to pursue its aggenda, atleast partially if not fully. A wise decision at this moment will be to pick the winner of next general election and form an alliance with him on minimum common aggenda. The sooner he does this the better it will be. This alliance and his efforts to reform the party and turn it into a political party rather than a one man show will determine his political future.