Why has Imran Khan and the PTI failed to deliver?

[Savak]

- Was it because of too much idealism by the leader IK in his pre-election, campaign rhetoric which was completely out of sync with the ground realities of the country and how the country needed to actually be governed? End result he has badly alienated his supporters, the educated, middle class who expected him to swiftly end all their problems with a magic wand?

- Was it because in the effort to gain power, he had to bring in electables from other parties but that has resulted in the party being filled with yes men, opportunists, badniyat individuals who are actually working behind the PTI leaders back?

- Was it because of the leader IK just having badniyat intentions from the very start?

- Was it because the leader IK completely underestimated the power of the opposition who have had massive tentacles in the state and its institutions i.e. the police, judiciary, SBP, FBR, bureacracy and federal, provincial ministries and he in term blindly, immaturely thought that all these institutions would be easily fixable?

- Was it because the leader IK squandered a golden opportunity to go after the opposition brutally like a dictator and naively expected the state institutions to efficiently and justly hold them accountable in a speedy and just manner?

- Was it because he did not correctly prioritize the issues he needed to address expediently and made the mistake of focusing too much on issues, policies that will not really switch the electoral results in his favour?

- Overconfidence and arrogance that the army will continue to indefinately back him and that he did not really need to deliver quick, fast, urgent results to switch the electorate votes in his favour?

- Just overall incompetency i.e. he tried his best but governing Pakistan was totally beyond his capabilities.

I personally think it is a combination of the above. Even IK diehard supporters are now resigned to acknowledge that no matter whatever problems or challenges IK and the PTI had to face and encounter during the tenure, the bottom line is that they were the party in charge in the federal government, the buck stops at the bottom line which is they did not deliver at all and they have left Pakistan in a ten times worse state then when they took charge and if the common person on the street is ten times worse off vs when they took charge then there is no point of them governing the country.

The biggest tragedy about this whole saga and experience is that i seriously doubt the educated class, middle class, youth, overseas Pakistani's will ever participate in Pakistani elections ever again and will ever have faith in any new face. In fact it is now very much possible where the traditionally strong political parties like PML N, PPP e.t.c will now reference the PTI experience and propagate "Corrupt but Competent" is always the right, best choice for the nation vs "Non-Corrupt but incompetent". An untried person, a new person cannot be trusted to govern Pakistan as everyone has seen and experienced with the PTI

 

[Vegitto1]

Before we can answer that question, we need to decide what is the benchmark? What qualifies as having “delivered”.

In my opinion, he has delivered. People will point to rising prices but that has been the case under all previous governments.

Furthermore no previous government had to steer the country through a Pandemic and at the same time stop the country from going bankrupt, a mess that it inherited.

The media gives the impression that the government has failed. However, ground realities are different. The agriculture and industrial sectors and happy with the government - yes the masses are having to live with rising prices but that is because for decades loans were being used to paper over the cracks.

Imran Khan is the leader that we need, but not the one we deserve.

He cares about Pakistan so much so that he is willing to end up as a villain just to make Pakistan a better place.

 

[PakLFC]

Prior to being elected IK thought of politics in Pak as being like Cricket. Now he realizes it is a totally different kettle of fish full of corrupt politicians. IK's ignorance is thinking he can fix Pak if not the whole world on his own. He just misunderstood the entire thing and now stands totally exposed looking like a fool. Couldn't keep two wives happy yet dreams of pleasing over 200 million people! The man is just so much in love with himself that he can not see sense.

 

[moghul]

Pakistan would have been in disastrous situation during pandemic had there been corrupt Sharifs or Zardari in power. Thanks to IK, Pakistan did far better than most of the countries including India during pandemic.

I am sure his next five years will be best for Pakistan , hope he wins again.

 

[Mamoon]

I can write all day long on his great failures and what triggered them, but I have to keep it relatively brief because I am short on time right now.

1. Expectations - Imran got carried away with the support that he had and he bit far more than he could chew. He hyped himself up to such a grand extent that he simply couldn’t justify and satisfy those expectations.

You watch his speeches from 5-6 years back and you will die out of laughter. He has not delivered a percent of what he promised and assured the notion.

His brainwashed supporters defend him by comparing him to other PMs and governments. Unfortunately, you cannot have your cake and eat it too - when you hype yourself so much and put yourself on a pedestal, you will not be compared with others.

You will compared against the standards that you set for yourself.

2. No knowledge of public governance - Imran never held any office in his life. He never had a real job and never ran any business. He is just a cricketer who capitalized on his fame and fan following to gain momentum in politics.

He has no clue of how to run a country, he has no clue of how to run an economy, how to manage state architecture and how to govern.

He thought running a country would be like captaining a cricket team. He is still stuck in that sports mentality. He even uses cricket terminologies and gives cricket analogies, because that is his caliber.

He thought just because he is the kaptaan now, people working below him will raise their game and play heroic innings and he will become the greatest PM ever.

3. Poor selection- for years, Imran hyped up Asad Umar as a financial guru and the key to ending Pakistan’s financial woes. Asad Umar himself thought that managing a political economy would be akin to managing finances of a private company.

He was so out of his depth that it took only 8 months for Imran to sack his long-term economic savior. He was then replaced by Hafeez Sheikh, Zardari’s finance minister.

Imran’s new solution to resolve Pakistan’s financial crisis was to appoint the finance minister of a government that he has called the most corrupt government in Pakistan history.

He has appointed, unqualified people in every role. You look at any ministry and you will find that the person in office is not up to the task and doesn’t belong there.

4. The “if things go right, thanks to me but if things go wrong, thanks to them” mentality - the country is sick and tired of Imran and his party making excuses and blaming PMLN/PPP for anything that goes wrong and at the same time, taking credit for anything that goes right.

After 3.5 years in charge, the public wants results. They do not want to hear what went wrong in the past. They didn’t vote for him so that he can repeat himself like a broken record; they voted for him to produce results, and he has failed with flying colors.

As far as the pandemic is concerned, the government has tried to use to their advantage. It has been a gift for them because they are hiding behind it. However, the public doesn’t but it - they can see that this government was heading for a crash long before the pandemic hit.

Imran is finished. He is still backed by the military because he is serving their interests, but at some people, they will realize that they cannot take on the 200 million people that are done with Imran.

Imran’s failure is a lesson for future leaders - don’t spend your time criticizing and maligning others because things always look easier from the outside. Focus on producing a working plan and identify the people who can deliver on that plan. If not, you will be exposed and humiliated like Imran.

 

[DRsohail]

He has not failed to deliver.

 

[NishanKonar]

As an Indian I genuinely want to understand why some Imran supporters say Imran is dong a good job

Since Imran came to power - Pakistan's economy has been a train wreck. Average Pakistani earns less in 2021 than he did in 2019

Genuine question to Imran supporters

 

[LaLoco]

As an Indian I genuinely want to understand why some Imran supporters say Imran is dong a good job

Since Imran came to power - Pakistan's economy has been a train wreck. Average Pakistani earns less in 2021 than he did in 2019

Genuine question to Imran supporters

I do not believe anyone has time to type the basics of economy, history of corruption of the previous government and its impact, the political situation, the Covid, loan payments, bureaucracy, the sugar mafia, the economy mafia that was created under previous corrupt government and its hold, war on the western border, FATF used as political tool.

Considering all of the above, the kindergarten government has done well.

 

[NishanKonar]

I do not believe anyone has time to type the basics of economy, history of corruption of the previous government and its impact, the political situation, the Covid, loan payments, bureaucracy, the sugar mafia, the economy mafia that was created under previous corrupt government and its hold, war on the western border, FATF used as political tool.

Considering all of the above, the kindergarten government has done well.

Same rhetoric used by Modi bhakts in India - previous govt have ruined everything. They were very corrupt and did nothing but enriched themselves. Modi is trying his best but cannot rectify mistakes of past 60 years. Plus West is hostile to Modi govt and making things even worse

So all in all Modi oovt is doing very well - given all the challenges

 

[Poseidon]

I blame IK that he is incapable of catching corrupt people inside and outside his govt. he cant even handle an ffing sugar mafia from last 2 years. his basics is not up to the mark. he looks like clueless.

 

[LaLoco]

Same rhetoric used by Modi bhakts in India - previous govt have ruined everything. They were very corrupt and did nothing but enriched themselves. Modi is trying his best but cannot rectify mistakes of past 60 years. Plus West is hostile to Modi govt and making things even worse

So all in all Modi oovt is doing very well - given all the challenges

No, it is not the same, how has life changed for the common Muslim in India? better or for the worse?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

People in the cricket forum mention there is no talent in Pakistani cricket.

It's a worse situation in politics. There is no talent in Pakistani politics. I have had the "pleasure" of meeting many ministers of this and previous governments. The only two that would make decent politicians in any other country are probably SMQ Hinna Rabbani Khar.

The rest are genuinely people you will find in community councils in the UK. Their idea of politics is lobbying and panchayt. They have no political ideology, no ideas, no knowledge or basic political theory or economics.

Unfortunately Imran has surrounded himself with these people in every capacity.

 

[sjahmed23]

Dealt a bad hand.... First year imf loans and worry of default then pandemic and now Afghanistan. Any government would've struggled under these circumstances, the man had good intentions however but sometimes luck isn't on your side.

 

[mazkhan]

Imf programme of raising fuel and tax and the uncontrolled inflation is gonna kill this government they are fast losing any support they had

 

[Local.Dada]

No, it is not the same, how has life changed for the common Muslim in India? better or for the worse?

It has changed for the better. Common Muslim or common person from “any religion” first objective is to put food on the table for his family. The hardworking Muslims have only had better lives for themselves.

There are trouble makers from all religions and now since there is a right wing govt, there will be political agenda to show things have gotten worse. I am not getting into the percentage war of how better or worse it became. No different from the whole racial angle during Trump regime. Was America any more or less racist before Trump? Don’t think so. However yes when there is a right wing govt, that kind of picture will be presented.

 

[Lonewarrior]

a hung Parliament in 2023 elections ...... no one will get the majority ...... simple ......

 

[Local.Dada]

IK type popular non-politician turned politicians are dime a dozen in India.

Back in the day big stars especially from South India used to smoothly transition into politics based on their screen image and persona. There are some success stories too.

However Indians have now smartened up to it. No one votes for celebrities just because they are celebrities.

It’s new probably in Pakistan to have such a cult of personality like Imran Khan in a democracy. Usually it is army or the 2 powerful families. So I get why IK is seen as a messiah.

Following Indian politics I can tell you this, no matter what your achievements are outside of politics or how much popularity you have, career politicians are different animals.

You need political acumen to be a leader, not just noble intentions or money or popularity. IK comes across as someone with 0 political or diplomatic acumen. Doesn’t mean he is a bad guy. Just incompetent. If anyone thinks IK is a master diplomat or politician then you are kidding yourself.

 

[drubwrubnat]

No, it is not the same, how has life changed for the common Muslim in India? better or for the worse?

Worse i would say! Sentiment wise, they are unhappy from within.

But it seems a lot of people have some govt ration cards or something so effectively they are all getting free ration or something ( not sure ) , but there’s definitely a catch. Same for medicare. Govt hospitals & schools are better than before.
Also, taking a loan is become very easy. Lot of people are in debt.
So a man can survive - but its not good for growth. There will be stagnation because of under-employment.

In my opinion, situation is very poor economically.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

The people who are saying he was dealt bad hand or that the mess left by previous government crippled him are giving a losing argument.

All these things were known when he came into power. He was in fact brought in to fix these things in the first place. Otherwise might as well have stuck with the previous rulers

The biggest issue is not that the problem haven’t been fixed. It is that no tangible steps have been taken in this regard period.

The problem Simply is this. Imran Khans party came to power due to cosying to land owning , agriculture focused electables in Punjab and also with backing of the military establishment. However the major roots of the problems of Pakistan are these same entities and this is what needs to be reformed. But obviously since he is beholden to them he can’t get to the root of the problem. You won’t cut the hand which feeds you. So the cycle continues

 

[LaLoco]

It has changed for the better. Common Muslim or common person from “any religion” first objective is to put food on the table for his family. The hardworking Muslims have only had better lives for themselves.

There are trouble makers from all religions and now since there is a right wing govt, there will be political agenda to show things have gotten worse. I am not getting into the percentage war of how better or worse it became. No different from the whole racial angle during Trump regime. Was America any more or less racist before Trump? Don’t think so. However yes when there is a right wing govt, that kind of picture will be presented.

America was always racist, just as Hindutva ideology has always been, it is the leader who promote and make it seem it is okay for the racist to be racist out in open without fearing any repercussion.

Anyone's first objective is to put food on the table - lets not mask repression and unhappiness of many minorities in India with false sense of better economy.

 

[rhony]

America was always racist, just as Hindutva ideology has always been, it is the leader who promote and make it seem it is okay for the racist to be racist out in open without fearing any repercussion.

Anyone's first objective is to put food on the table - lets not mask repression and unhappiness of many minorities in India with false sense of better economy.

Look at the way Pakistan treats it's minorites. Their numbers keep shrinking. India's minority is actually growing. India as a democracy is still young. It's population is a bit immature. It's a process. Look at the Chinese jingoism and it will spin your head. Look at the way they treat the minorites and you will be stunned. Their evolution is in between India's and America's. USA is at the high end of the spectrum where everybody has religious freedom with an undercover FBI agent or an informant in every mosque. So the lesson is, minorites are screwed in every country. That's the way it is. Its important to be a smart minority like Buddhists or Jains or Parsis. They integrate well and don't have separate agendas and political theories.