It could almost be a fairy tale : heroic cricketeer, married to British heiress runs for premiership in his home country.
The fairy tale however is short lived when that country happens to be Pakistan, where running for prime minister or stopping someone from running for it can be a very dangerous occupation.
Imran Khan came to prominence a long time ago as a star cricketeer for Pakistan. He then went on to become a prominent figure in the London night scene which came to a halt when he married a British heiress.
Living in luxury, he somehow felt as if he let his country down. He returned to Pakistan and slowly started a career in politics.
If anyone thinks that Imran Khan has just thrown his hat in the ring now, they would be underinformed. He has been at it for a long time. But he had to wait for Musharraf to get out of the way first.
And what he wants to do is to change Pakistan in a way that would better reflect its place in the twenty first century, according to his vision.
Main running points? Eliminate corruption and American influence, two themes that are near to every Pakistani's heart.
But he is running into some pretty strong head wings.
Pakistan is in a symbiotic relationship with the US that is corrupt to the core. It is addicted to US money, and yet places no loyalty towards that country, asserting self-determination as an inviolable right, even when its policies allow American enemies to thrive.
His popularity has never waned. A top cricketeer of his ability, who placed his country in the top spot for nearly twenty years is someone who is revered. But receiving the sympathy and adulation of the crowds is no match for a government that has been in the hands of the military for almost 25 years.
The system he is battling then, is one of the most powerful in the world.
But he also says he wants to make peace with its neighbors, India and Iran. In other words he wants to change everything.
He even wants to reconcile with the Taliban and the Pashtun tribes.
He has so far put his money where his mouth is. He has made plain his assets and tax expenditures. He has also foregone the life of luxury that marked the better part of his life.
And he promises that he will not acquiesce to a coalition, intending instead of forming an opposition party if he is defeated.
Lately, in some strange almost conjured spell, crowds have multiplied visibly. He speaks to what look like oceans of people. The banner of his campaign spells loudly for all : change!
But can he really do it? Many people are betting against him. And the reason why is because the system is too entrenched in corruption. And there is too much of a class division for the rich and powerful to adapt to a program of transparency.
In fact, the smart money, as they say is, on Nawaz Sharif. The candidate is even receiving foreign dignitaries, which should raise some suspicions already, as if the foreign powers already knew the victor and were placing their money on the table.
And then there are the dinasties : the Bhuttos, first and foremost, the Zardaris and so forth. And they hold the Pakistani parties in their fist, and are not about to let go.
But there is a stain on the man, one that is not easily dismissed. The former military leader, Musharraf just endorsed the aging cricketeer, and people have sniffed at that in great numbers. In fact that endorsement alone, makes him look like the Army's man. And he has had three meetings with the ISI, the InterIntelligence Services.
However, some say that even if he does not win, he has already changed the country for the better. In his party, officials are not appointed. They have to be elected.
Source : Spiegel online 5.3.13
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