Many may disagree with the political thinking and strategy of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, but no one says that Imran Khan has won the support of a large majority of the people with his statement. This is a big issue for Imran Khan’s political opponents as to how to deal with the public pressure. The leadership of the political parties in the coalition has been accusing Imran Khan of pursuing politics in opposition to the national political mainstream - he has the support of undemocratic forces, the performance of his government has been very poor and has destroyed the economy of the country. It is said his statement of external conspiracy is false as he wants to spread chaos in the country, but still, the Pakistani people are listening to him and the words of his opponents are not getting any response.
It is a fact that under the PTI regime, its own people seemed to admit that they would not be able to face the public. It was also said that may be the politics of PTI will end but time has shown that nothing like this has happened. In fact, after the fall of PTI government Imran Khan has emerged as a more popular leader than before because people think that he has not been given justice. Imran Khan has attracted impressive number of people at his public meetings. Yet party workers are neither getting tired nor the response of the people is waning. Imran Khan has created a political environment by asking the people to gain freedom from the wishes of foreign masters.
How much the present government may deny the impression, but it has to accept that Imran Khan’s political moves are having a far-reaching and profound effect. Although the course of history is yet to be determined, the people have become more united, which is greatly reducing ethnic, linguistic, racial and sectarian politics and divisions. People of all denominations are flocking to Imran Khan’s rallies. He has brought together all the elements of the Pakistani nation and has also brought to the streets an elite class that has never participated in street politics. Imran Khan has succeeded in involving all sections of thought in his pursuit of independence from compromised politics and he has taken the path of confrontation with other political forces and institutions. This may be detrimental to his politics, but that doesn’t have to be the case because the situation behind what is being seen at the moment is slightly different. With the change in the script, the direction of the political winds is also changing.
The situation changes with the changing times in politics but, at present, the political and non-political circles are not in a position to indulge into any adventure under public pressure. The only way for them to advance the democratic process is to go for elections as the coalition government is mired in a severe political and economic crisis and it is not possible for it to get out of these crises. Along with those who brought this government to power, people are also beginning to regret their mistake. Now ways are being sought to put the nation back on rails.
The writer is a researcher and environmentalist. She covers political and environmental issues and can be reached at attiabutt121@gmail.com. Her Twitter handle @AttiyaMunawer
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