“I have a tragic feeling of loss,” said Rifaat Hussein, professor of political and policy studying at the National University of Pakistan of Science and technology. He and his family voted for Khan in 2018, Hussain said, but became disillusioned with what they saw as Khan’s position of power. behavior and burntearth tactics cling to power.
“Imran felt that he was above the law and the constitution. He was a famous athlete, but he refused to accept defeat with dignity,” Hussein said, referring to Khan. cricket glory about 35 years ago. “He said of creating a true democracy and ideal society, but instead his main legacy was to leave society divided and economy in ruin. This is deeply disappointing.”
Khan Rose on promises to do power and corruption of Pakistan’s wealthy political elite, a topic that has attracted attention support for his election in 2018 from young, educated, middle-class Pakistanis.
That support was still evident on Sunday evening when Khan, the charismatic former captain of Pakistan national cricket team called for rallies after he was removed from office. By 10 p.m. big enthusiastic crowds collected in three large cities – Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi – and smaller ones throughout the country. TV footage showed thousands of people mixing in city squares, dancing, applause and chants: “Who will save Pakistan? Imran Khan, Imran Khan.”
Khan didn’t show up in man at any rally, but he sent out flow of enthusiastic tweets that continued to circulate. “It never happens crowds to come out so spontaneous and in such numbers in our history is rejecting an imported government led by crooks,” he tweeted after midnight.
However, to some extent, Khan’s ruthless attacks on the elites backfired by bringing hodgepodge of the rival parties work together to eliminate it. Courting the angry khan of the allies, his opponents assembled enough votes in parliament bring it down.
“Imran Khan must be given credit. for the defeat of dynastic political forces,” said Ayaz Amir, analyst and former legislator, reference to families who had political power in Pakistan since founding in 1947. Now, he said, they will have to share power with bulky array of former enemies who there is nothing in common but opposition to the Khan. this will be very difficult for take them on these economic problems”.
Process of installation new leaders already underway. Shehbaz Sharif, 70, career politician. who leads the Pakistan Muslim League, expected to become interim prime minister in legislative vote Monday. Sharif is brother of three-term former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in prison in 2018 after conviction of corruption.
Shehbaz Sharif also considered the best candidate for prime minister in elections this fall, although Khan’s top aide, a foreign minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi, also filed nomination papers run for in post.
Khan has also made This is clear he wants to look office again. Some observers have suggested that while his weaknesses are impatience, poor management skills and unwillingness to cultivate allies – undermined him ability manage, he was always on top of his game when you challenge power from outside as an eloquent and passionate speaker.
“The fall of Khan will continue to haunt new government” said politician Hassan Askari Rizvi. analyst in Lahore. “Forcing out and replacing the leader one thing. Successful management is different. There is hard times forthcoming for Sharif.
Now that Khan out of power no one underestimates his potential to come back.
“Khan turned out to be a demagogue who did little to solve serious problems,” Amir said. “It’s time for him now, in these months before the elections, to introspect, to learn from his mistakes, to reorganize his party and play in role of bright opposition,” Amir said.
Another battle cry that Khan is increasingly using to his advantage is anti-Americanism. already becomes the main topic in his likely attempts at political comeback. In the last weeks as he struggled to stay in power, he blamed American officials of collusion with his inner opponents in Plot against his government.
An accusation based on what Khan called secret a diplomatic document proving a US conspiracy was a major factor in his attempts to stay in power. First, he managed to abolish the parliamentary vote of No confidence in him, accusing rival legislators of a “foreign conspiracy”.
Then, facing probable defeat after the Supreme Court ruled vote be detained, he condemned the attempt to impose of “import government” in Pakistan. Saturday night, still trying to stop the vote, he demanded show document for senior officials, including the court justices.
American officials have repeatedly denied the allegations. But US influence has long been a political slogan. in Pakistan and probably remain so. Sunday night, many protesters at rallies in support of Khan shouted “America’s friends are traitors,” referring to Pakistani politicians. who opposed the khan.
“This conspiracy gave another reason for Khan’s supporters are gathering strength,” said Ikram Khatana, 32, an activist. in Khan’s Justice Party, speaking over noise of noisy rally in northwest city of Peshawar. “We are here to support him and more and more people are joining us Now. When will the elections take place again? know he will bounce back with even more power”.
Shaik Hussain in Islamabad and Haq Nawaz Khan in Peshawar contributed to this report.
