PTI Problems: Imran khan The Real Villain

                                      PTI Problems: Imran Khan The Real Villain

Imran Khan PTI struggled for years until on day of reckoning 30th October 2011 "Lahore Minar- E- Pakistan Rally' was held, he woke up from a deep slumber and his life suddenly took a twist when from a cricketing role model he became a popular politician as well.  His campaign was built on popular slogans like corruption, Anti Americanism ( like roti. kupra, makaan), which sells like a hot cake in Pakistani conservative society, he held many rallies and Dharna's against Drone's and American invasion of Afghanistan and its growing influence in Pakistan.

30 October Lahore Rally

According to his critic's, he was fully supported by then ISI chief General Shuja Pasha, who planned and executed his  pre 30th October campaign. What Imran did, very cleverly and shrewdly was to lure the youth with slogans of Corruption, Muk Maka between major parties, Drones strike in tribal belt, rough and odd lingo against the political elite, promised a fight against  status quo forces with his youth bandwagon. The youth which used to follow Imran Khan  as a cricketing star was instantly attracted to him and secondly Zardari Regime failed miserably and Mian Nawaz Sharif PMLN who had nightmarish experience of nineties when he was twice thrown out of the Government just because he challenged the might of unchallengeable Bosses of Pindi and finally was exiled after October 1,999 military coup, stuck to principles' laid down in the "Charter of democracy".

 Imran Khan PTI became an instant hit after post 30th October Lahore rally, from a TV talk show star to a political reality. Our  Media which is still  in its infancy, had never witnessed such humongous and enthusiastic rally except when BB festive return to Pakistan and Nawaz Sharif historic Long March for judges restoration, took it as an opportunity and blew "Kaptaan's" rally out of proportion but some saner elements termed this success as the beginning of a real test with long and hard political battle ahead.

In his historic 30th October rally Imran Khan had promised to wage a war against corruption, status quo and forces responsible for supporting the influence of America in Pakistan . But unfortunately, couldn't stick to his promises of 30th October. We witnessed countless political stalwarts joining his party and he himself held numerous Press Conferences sitting along side those electable and  proudly announcing his victory. He held number of Public rallies where he very arrogantly talked about these electable and compared them with "wickets" and  challenged Nawaz Sharif PMLN and Zardari that he was going to shatter their wickets with one ball. But during these rhetoric's and flow, he forgot one thing completely that Youth was attracted to him because he had promised them a "change" but rather gave a new leash of life to all that political garbage who either lost in 2007-08 GE or remained part of Mushraf famous Local Body Government literally bankrupting many cities and mainly those who were unhappy within the main stream parties. What baffles people, how on earth these old horses and burnt forces can bring a change??. Rather they have created a confusion in PTI ranks and started a battle between old and new ones damaging PTI chances in next GE.

Imran Khan PTI popularity sky rocketed after 30th October Lahore rally and reached it's pinnacle in Karachi on 25 December 2011, when another massive rally was held at Quaid's Mizar. But many were distressed, Media had started comparing that rally with 30th October Lahore rally, where people sitting on both the stages changed the whole scenario, loyalist were taken over by turn coats. Imran's slogan of change and Anti Americanism died, when a foreign Minister in Musharraf's  and one from Zardari's cabinet were sitting on his right and left. Imran very proudly  announced in Karachi rally that another wicket had fallen that is of Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali, who very recently alleged Imran that he had betrayed him as according to him Imran Khan promised him a ticket for National Assembly when he joined the "change bandwagon". Similar is the case of another turn coat Inam -Ullah- Niazi who went a step further maligning Imran with some serious allegations of personal sort. Politicians like Leghari's and Boson abandoning PTI and contesting the 2013 GE independently thinking PTI a liability, even reports are coming out that Shah Mehmood Quershi VC of party contesting independently from Sindh??.

                                                               Electable's joining PTI

Imran's slogan of 'Change' and getting rid of corruption, American influence and status quo was buried by Imran himself, accepting all those who remained part of that system for ages. Imran's lack of vision and political wisdom has let him down and cost his party dearly. Those who helped his rise, fail to understand simple philosophy, if this was the end result then why all this struggle for nothing, these young minds are very innocent and difficult to handle as they do not understand the intricacies of politics, they can be changed, manipulated very easily and their loyalties never lost long if you disappoint them.

Secondly Imran intentional decision or fed to him rightly or wrongly, to target one party (PMLN) while ignoring the real culprits PPP, their coalition partners  ANP and MQM particularly, raised many eye brows and Imran's continuous rhetoric's against PMLN back fired  badly. His famous quote "Mian Sahb Jan Dio Sadi Wari Aan Dio"etc in every  rally became talk of the town for a while but as  time began to fade and his  charm began to diminish, IK popularity also started to suffer. His opposition of Punjab's developmental projects like Metro, Dannish Schools, infrastructure etc while ignoring other provinces, made youth very apprehensive. Criticism for the sake of criticism, making epidemic like "Dengue' a political issue which was latter controlled admirably by CM Shahbaz led PMLN government, infect many such examples can be cited which have back fired and as they say in politics, every mistake you make, is always associated with some cost in politics.

Imran Khan's rude behaviour and arrogance against his opponents, actually made matter worse  in "Social Media" which used to be a strong forte of PTI  along with Electronic Media, because presently Social Media is considered to be the main source of opinion making that trickles down to Electronic Media  as every Anchor and Print Media personality is somehow associated with Social Media. Imran attitude and arrogance is reflected in many PTI young followers who are being recognised as "Trolls" in social media. one wouldn't blame them much because youth always needs to be handled carefully and wisely as youth is full of life, hope and exuberance. Nawaz Sharif respects his opponents and stable personality image is reflected in his followers. Imran Khan reflects ego plus arrogance in his followers which is denting his reputation and prospects in Social Media .

Imran Khan decision of holding Intra Party elections after accepting all those turn coats, was the final nail in the coffin, because it is almost impossible for the middle class and young office bearers to fight all those "Wadehra's" and "Business Tycoons". As it turned out to be, these influential opportunists took over PTI, all the major portfolios and offices were hijacked by influential figures except few including the Chairman portfolios which remained with Imran Khan. As Imran Khan often said in electronic Media and Public appearances that its Money versus passion but unfortunately the case was reversed in party elections because opportunity was provided to political opportunists and they grabbed it with both hands. Imran Khan failed to learn from his arc rival PMLN who also held Intra party elections, which was long and tiring process too but they started it in 2009-10 and finished  in 2011-12, while PTI started their exercise in 2012 and finished it  in two months before elections, creating fissures within the party and a battle between new and old ideology started. Again Imran proved his lack of vision and short sigthtedness. This rift has continued in awarding of tickets, those who were denied tickets have made serious allegations against party leadership, threatening mass resignations, leaving party in turmoil while their rival PMLN is doing it methodically with minimum of fuss.

 Imran Khan seems to be main cause of "PTI Problems and Proving The Real Villain" as far as the GE are concerned because he himself, has to be blamed for back tracking from his original agenda and caught in the same old formula of electable and status quo politics While his  rival PMLN trapped him very smartly and out manoeuvred him, strengthening their party in all four provinces, is absorbing the electable in all the provinces while not disturbing the main core of their party, that's why  few new ones are holding major portfolios in their party and at the same time a rare one got a place in the Parliamentary Board awarding the tickets. Right now, PMLN  has the best available candidates in all the Provinces, even in Sindh they are in a position to field  best possible candidates against PPP, while unfortunately PTI is non-existent in Baluchistan and Sindh and whole focus has  been diverted to Punjab and KPK.

Shahbaz Sharif Must Have Done Something Right ??

                                   Shahbaz Sharif Must Have Done Something Right??

It looks funny and surprising as well, the way Punjab government received the drubbing and thrashing on petty issues in last five years, Electronic and Social Media knowingly or unknowingly became part of malicious propaganda, print Media in Pakistan has matured a lot over the decades and has become very sensible. The crust and focus of that drubbing was that Shahbaz Sharif was not able to build institutions, which are of course and no doubt key to progress of a Nation. Shahbaz Sharif  holding on to  key Ministerial portfolios, some said fifteen, other seventeen and some exaggerated the figure even further. The whole attention was focused that Punjab utilised all it's funds in "Central Punjab" particularly Lahore while ignoring the rest of the Punjab.  If we closely monitor the Electronic and Social media it seems every body was trying to bring down one party that was PMLN, during this campaign they even failed to recognise the ground realities of Punjab and Leadership provided by Shahbaz Sharif.

Punjab went through two catastrophes in last five years, "Dengue" and Floods, never witnessed in history of Pakistan before. Shahbaz Sharif fought with Natural calamities with courage and determination. During floods shifted his camp office to "Southern Punjab" and worked tirelessly from Emergency Evacuation of Flood hit victims to their rehabilitation, infect an  instalment of Rs.20,000 was paid twice to many as flood hit victims. Similarly Dengue catastrophe struck Punjab in 2011, effecting hundred of thousands and killing more than 250 people across Punjab. We saw Shahbaz Sharif working resolutely against this Menace and in 2012 not a single death was reported, while World-Wide the number of Dengue cases increased and our neighbouring India suffered from it yet again. But the most important job I think, Shahbaz Sharif has done is  to institutionalise and establish independent Authorities, "The Punjab Disaster Management Authority" and "Dengue Control Authority",  both these institutions were legislated through Punjab Assembly.  It doesn't matter even if Shahbaz Sharif Government is no more, God forbid if Punjab is struck with Calamities, functioning Institutions are there to take care of things. Fearless Leadership was  provided by Shahbaz Sharif, as during Dengue he visited the effected victims and  during floods visited each and every flood hit area himself.

Similarly, Dannish Schools were established across Punjab,  where literacy rate is lowest in Punjab and economically most back-ward areas, like Hasilpur (Behwalpuar), Behwalnager, Attock, Mianwali,etc. boarding and lodging facilities were provided to children belonging to low income groups, at the same time to brilliant and toppers too. Only families having Income less than Rs.6,000  are eligible for admission, strict rules for selection of teachers were followed . Again the school system  was institutionalised and "The Punjab Dannish Schools and The Centre of Excellence Authority Bill" was Passed in 2009.

The "Metro Bus System" in Lahore was introduced, completed in historic time of 11 months with 8.2 km travel on over head bridge ( one of the largest bridge in the region). In Turkey, the first section of the Metro took 31 months to complete,  it is not less than a miracle to complete the project in 11 months. Even "Turkish Deputy Prime Minister" was stunned and speechless when he witnessed its inauguration in Lahore. Yet again Punjab Assembly approved the establishment of "Metro Bus Authority" to regulate the operations of Urban Transport system in major cities of Punjab.

Similarly, "Independent Board Of Governors" were established, made operational in Punjab Universities, Colleges and Major teaching hospitals across the Province. Power was transferred at Institutional level, now they wouldn't have to depend upon Ministry of Health and Education to run their day to day affairs. Process of selecting Vice Chancellor's and Principles of these Universities was made very transparent, even Governor was stripped of his powers and that was transferred to Institutions through Legislative seals .

"Punjab Bank" was received in tatters, its clients were deceived and hoodwinked  by false propaganda that Bank was running in profits,  actually Bank was running in red ( report submitted in Supreme Court, the losses exceeded Rs.50 billion and famous Rs.8 billion Haris Steel Mill fraud was committed with the help of Executive and hand picked Board Of Governors). Technically when SS took over, the Bank was doomed and shattered. What SS did was, appoint an Honest Head of the Bank and Independent Board Of Governors, amazingly the Bank turned into profitability in 2011-12.

Punjab Land Reforms "LRMIS", a major source of corruption and nepotism in Punjab, the old system of "Sher Shah Suri" era, had become powerful and deep rooted which put the whole system hostage to Patwari Mafia. Shahbaz Shahrif took a very bold and visionary step to computerise the whole data despite resistance from all quarters, political plus feudal hindrance threatened a political back lash but  Shahbaz Sharif known for his perseverance and dedication went ahead with the reforms. This is a Rs.10 billion rupees mega project funded by World Bank, already 26 Service Centers are operational in 22 Districts and data entry in other 12 Districts is on their way. This is a paradigm shift from a usual Feudal mindset where poors are made hostage and major frauds are committed by Land grabbers with the help of this "Patwar System".

Thing's do not end here, a "Shahbaz Sharif Citizen Feed Back System" regarding complaints  in Health, Police, LDA, Revenue, WASA, and LRMIS department has been launched. This is a system to facilitate all citizens of Punjab through a simple SMS regarding their transaction and difficulty they faced during their visit to different departments. It is very simple, when a person goes to a Government Department, the office record of that person along with his transaction details will pass on to local officer and a call center. Then they will receive a random call regarding their experience in different departments and any inconvenience they faced or did they had to bribe someone during their transaction. This is integrated system and all data goes to head office in Lahore, thousands user are  added on daily basis and number who received this facility is nearly touching a million. The idea conceived by a young  DCO of jhang "Zubair Khurshid Bhatti", who during his posting 2007-8 in jhang,  successfully implemented it. "The World Bank" awarded it the prestigious 2011 innovation fund Prize and is now working with the Punjab Government to scale it up and System has been successfully implemented in many Districts.

Comprehensive primary Education has been introduced with the help of "UK department For International Development" (DFID). "Sir Micheal Barber" a highly respected educationist, explained the story of Punjab education reform programme, calling it "Punjab School Reforms Road map". Most of the 36 districts in Punjab have made significant inroads and progress regarding Education, infect 31 districts now have  more than 90% enrolment in schools at Primary level. He says, teacher presence is far more higher in Punjab then rest of Pakistan, even higher among 22 countries supported by UK Department Of International Development (DFID). Under this programme, a massive 1.5 million new children enrolled in schools and close to 81,000 new teachers have been hired. Punjab Government with the help of UK Government running the largest Voucher scheme in the World, close to 14,0000 students benefiting. Under the scheme, all the families who enrol their children in schools would get a sum of 15 US Dollars. According to "Sir Micheal Barber" number increasing and programme will add a further 5,0000 to 80,000 students in next 18 months. These achievements according to him are largely due to better management and Governance in Punjab compared to rest of Pakistan and 22 other countries. World Bank President "Jim Yong Kim' lauded the Punjab Government for this historical achievement and reassured the Government Of Punjab of it's continuous assistance.

Health and Education as  explained earlier remained the key focus of Shahbaz Sharif five year rule. To give you a rough idea, when Shahbaz Sharif took over, the Health budget was mere 6-7 billion rupees and when  his five year tenure ended, it  touched Rs.85 billion of Rs.782 billion  Punjab budget that is 10.5% of total budget. Similarly Education Budget which was a meagre 20-21 billion when SS took over, galloped to Rs.185 billion of total Rs.782 billion of Punjab Budget that is roughly 25% of total budget. Southern Punjab being most neglected part of Punjab, when Shabaz Sharif took over, it's budget was hovering around meagre 11-12% of total budget, contrary to tall claims of previous rulers, Shabaz Sharif intentionally increased it gradually during his stint as Punjab Chief Executive taking it to 32% which is, a percentage higher than their actual population.

The criticism that Shahbaz Sharif  works under bureaucratic clout rather than exert a political influence is extremely unjustified. Look at Western Democracies they choose their own team and even in Parliamentary Democracies it's up to Chief Exective to decide his team and Legislators role is to legislate and make things easier for General public through effective Legislation. Bureaucrats are trained for administration and that's where they are excellent unless merit is violated as witnessed in Federal Government and other Provisional Governments. This is one of the major reason why Shahbaz Sharif was successful when other failed. Criticising him, for having a thin cabinet and holding on to many portfolios, again is a twisted and lame argument. India  five time bigger country than Pakistan with a billion population and a much bigger Economy as well, run their country with 20-22 Ministers. China a much larger country than India and has second largest economy in the world, runs its business with 27 ministers.

 Pakistan, which is ranked 35th in TIP corruption index with total debt and liabilities crossing Rs.15 trillion, rupee touching it's historic low, international payments looming, foreign exchange reserve plunging, still International Community is showing their faith in Punjab and investing heavily in different projects like health, education, infrastructure etc. International Community and Donors praising his reform agenda, "Shahbaz Sharif must have done something right??. Where institutions were being looted and plundered in last five years, Shahbaz Sharif tried to restore them in Punjab and reconstructed  destroyed ones, though was partly successful . Some how we want a miracle and hoping, on a bright sunny day we would wake up and all our problems of corruption, terrorism, energy crisis, mass loot, plunder by Zardari regime, 65 years of chaos created by repeated dictatorial regimes, deep state doctrine etc would vanish. But what we must understand and our Media need to hammer day in and day out that yes things were bad but at least in Punjab  someone did try and was partially successful , rather than painting a gloomy picture.

Shahbaz Sharif actually had transferred his powers and purposely tried to build institutions and revamp them as well, his focus remained very clear and worked on underdeveloped areas of Punjab that were neglected but it's a long and tiring process and demands patience as  explained earlier, 65 years of garbage can not be swept in one go. Our E.Media  must come out of its infancy and need to understand one thing  despite all the Institution building and revamping, Executive always remains powerful, just look at USA, has the most powerful Institutional structure in the World right now, but who is the most Powerful person (Executive), "Barack Hussain Obama". Mind you, destroy  "wink of an eye", build  "decades".