And its got Imran Khan written on it! That's the hue and cry of Pakistanis these days, since a gargantuan rally at Minar-e-Pakistan this month, the forgetful populace of these Elysian fields have forgotten Altaf Hussain, forgotten PPP, forgetton Musharaf (err..who was he exactly?) for it is the age and times of the mighty Khan! yes! the self same hunk who has claimed descent from Mr.Genghis Khan of Mongolia (not an exclusive thing that is to say! for every 1 person in 5 shares DNA with the herculean warrior.)
Every one, and I mean literally every one is singing praises for Khan, of course with me being in the sceptical few. I want to know one thing and that is: how do we know if Khan is going to be "the" leader Pakistan has been hankering for these treacherous and horrendous 6 decades of its shallow history? The reasons I get from the swooned public are varied and go something on these lines:
There isn't anyone else! AHA, the Vacuum conundrum..... since there is a lack of strong leadership, nay, any kind of positive leadership hence any one reasonably able to talk and gather a crowd is going to be hailed. Is that rational? but then in our country we don't talk rational.
Imran Khan is soooooooooooooo honest, proof being his very successful Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital. Great, the man has certainly proven his merit as a conscientious and a thoroughly successful philanthropist and a fund raiser. HMMM, but how that translates into political acumen is anyone's guess.
He will finish off corruption, for he does not believe in corruption! OK, famous words and that too all based on conjecture. What can finish corruption in Pakistan isn't a man, but a whole new set of core-values, a whole new set of principles that the society work on. Who is corrupt? The people of Pakistan, and that includes the leaders and the public. So, how can one guy just order corruption, nepotism, tribalism, favouritism, ethnic-ism, sectarianism out the door with one shoo!
He is a PLU, or a person like us, yes! the educated, liberal upper class and hence he shares our values and beliefs and therefore would work wonders over the rest of the 99.99% population of the country who are PNLU, people not like us.
The best reason so far in my opinion, the man's good-looking!
He is hailing for justice for everyone. Hmmm, interesting, how just is justice in Pakistan is another question altogether and another debate, how is he actually planning this to take place?
He hates America. Some people have actually cited that as a reason. I don't know if there is any truth in it, but I'm cynical here. Our history is full of leaders who denounced American Imperialism only to bow to it a little too far and too quick once in power.
My only concern is this; will the now shalwar kameez clad, proponent of dialogue with Taliban!, hobnobbing with the bearded, dashing Imran Khan have what it takes?
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