Imran Khan’s Cricket Tool-kit for Pak Politics
Congratulations, Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi, on being sworn in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan! The Captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team that won the World Cup in 1992 has finally made it, 22 years after his foray into the turbulent politics of the Islamic Republic. The 65-year old youthful Imran needs no lessons in either cricket or politics; we may, however, take the liberty of making a few suggestions from the world of cricket that could come in handy for him in the choppy Pakistan polity.
1. You are the Captain of your Cabinet Team but remember a “General” is senior in rank to a “Captain”.
2. There is no “neutral umpire” here; the higher judiciary is anything but independent.
3. Avoid sticky wickets: Kashmir, Balochistan and Afghanistan, for example.
4. Don’t “run out” of options and partners.
5. Appeal often: Pakistani people (awaam) for support, austerity and posterity; judiciary to “bail” you out and Army for (launching) pads and guards.
6. Your policies: don’t “declare” prematurely.
7. Your policies: don’t “declare” too late.
8. “Sidhuism” works better than altruism in politics.
9. Don’t go in for “boundaries” (borders), either along the ground or the ariel route; score in quick singles.
10. It’s a Five-Year Test Match, not a one-day (night ;)) affair.
11. Learn from the neigbouring Captain: It’s better to be divorced to the idea of marriage than to be wedded to the idea of divorce.
12. Your days of “Maidens” are Over! (the Twelfth Man).
That was his playing XI, including the 12th man. Do you have anything interesting to add? Please do add. We might, sooner than later.
Best wishes, Prime Minister (Pakistan), Janab Imran Khan!
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K.B.S. Sidhu. The author is an IAS officer of 1984 batch of Punjab cadre. The views expressed are his own.
He can be reached on kbs.sidhu@gmail.com or @kbssidhu1961 or https://www.facebook.com/kbs.sidhu
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