Opinion - Imran Khan: Messiah or anti-hero?

As Imran Khan gets ready to find out the results in the crucial Pakistan election being held today, he would most likely be thinking about his deceased mother and his famous victory in the World Cup in 1992 - the two events which triggered his great political journey over 25 years ago.

After his famous World Cup victory in Melbourne where Pakistan vanquished England, Imran started a new campaign this time to build a cancer hospital in the name of his mother.

In 1994, he established the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Lahore in memory of his mother. In a first taste of outreach, the ex-Pak captain would famously stand in the middle of the street asking for donations to set up his cancer hospital. In fact, Khan put part of the World Cup cheque into building the hospital.

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After setting up his hospital, Imran began his voyage in politics.In 1996, Imran launched his political party -Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI) as a movement for justiceto reform Pakistan. At the time, Pakistan's political landscape was dominated by two personalities -Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto.

The PTI which began as a centrist party has increasingly titled towards the Right, leaning towards the hardline elements in Pakistan and shaking hands with the Army.

In the 2002 elections, the PTI won just 1 seat, Imran decided not to allow his party go the polls in 2008 as he was disappointed with the political atmosphere in the country. In the 2013 polls, PTI emerged as a force in Pakistani politics with PPP's influence waning.

Imran who was once the "lifelong captain"of the Pakistan cricket team quickly understood he couldn't fight alone, he needed a "team" if he wanted to come to power, his move to cozy up with the Army may just catapult him to the top office in Pakistan.

India wasalways Imran's focal point during his playing days. Pakistan never really lost a tournament against India when Imran was captain during the 80s and 90s, except India always beat Pakistan in World Cup games.

Indian cricket fans seemed to fear and respect the Pathan from Lahore. India once again dominates Imran's political narrative in polls. At times Imran has said he would like strategic dialogue with India, however, at other times he has hit out against India, pandering to the far-right elements in Pakistan.

Experts believe Imran would be like any other Pak PM. He will hit out against India to keep the anti-India elements on his side and keep the ever-powerful Army in good cheer, after all the top office comes with its own political compulsions.

In the 90s, the PTI appealed to young voters and the middle class, however, Khan was quick to realise the "intelligentsia" do not guarantee poll success, he has since broadbased his vote bank to include various segments, including the Islamist/Taliban elements who see him as an alternate to Nawaz Sharif, a tactic which plays well with the Army.

Punjab - Nawaz Sharif's stronghold- will decide Imran's fate, if the PTI is able to garner votesby convincing the die-hard PML-N voters that Nawaz is a spent force, then Imran will be well on the way to becoming the Wazir-i-azamof Pakistan.


(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)