Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to dissolve parliament in the wake of a no-confidence motion against him has been met with shock and bemusement, but this bemusement is misplaced.
The real shock arguably isn’t the political crisis itself but the fact that it has taken so long, according to an analysis published by Middle East Eye.
Only a few democratically elected leaders of Pakistan have completed their terms. In fact, not one of PM Imran’s predecessors remained in power for a full term since the country came into being.
Imran Khan is not an ordinary prime minister. Exhibiting exceptional courage, he challenged vested interests and made attempts to eradicate corruption.
He also set up a fresh, independent foreign policy and went on to jeopardise his own rule by refusing to be an American pawn. But above all, Premier Imran broke the cycle of a corrupt and stinking two-party system that had been dominating the country’s politics for decades.
Doing so has made him many enemies, both internally and externally and now they are after him. Since 2018 when he came into power, Imran was obliged to carry forward a coalition regime.
In recent weeks, that precarious coalition tumbled, giving in to the alleged foreign hand.
Interestingly enough, one of Imran’s drawbacks in terms of local politics is his honesty; it makes him fundamentally misfit with the methods that are now second nature to many politicians at home.
How outrageous, they may say, that Pakistan’s fate may now be decided by the democratic will and not behind closed doors.
Last weekend, when Premier Imran’s opponents were all set to dismiss him, he simply dissolved parliament, making room for fresh polls.
On the other hand, the opposition parties have failed to explain their opposition to a popular vote.
PM Imran is blamed for the raging inflation in the country but his opponents failed to understand that he inherited a broken economy and tax system and extremely low foreign reserves.
He dealt with it reasonably well amid the Covid-19 pandemic and succeeded in putting forth optimism in the country.
He has a commanding presence and tone on the international stage to advocate Pakistan’s cause.
It was 30 years ago when Imran famously told his cricket team they needed to put up a fight like “concerned tigers” when everything appeared to be lost in the 1992 World Cup.
He then overcame all odds to win the World Cup; the task today is greater. it is believed that Imran Khan should be allowed the chance to finish the task he started or to defend his record in a fresh round of general elections.
