The beginning of Naya Pakistan?

This refers to the editorial, “Sticky wicket” (August 3). Imran Khan was known to ‘rule’ his team by the scruff of the neck when he commandeered the Pakistan cricket team. He was, however, off-the-record described as authoritarian and dictatorial by some of his own teammates.

Once a Pervez Musharraf aficionado, the former cricketer described how Musharraf had offered him the Prime Minister's post in 2002 but he had politely declined the offer. From 2011, Imran and his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), prospered in terms of popularity and fame. Therefore, his emerging victorious from all five constituencies in the 2018 election was no fluke. No leader in Pakistan's history has won five seats after contesting from as many of them. 

Despite allegations of rigging, Imran Khan's party winning 115 of the 270 seats is a tribute to the man's patience, determination and  fighting qualities. The general impression outside Pakistan is that he is a man of the military. Within his own country, Imran's support base is admixed — conservative, liberal and hardliners. He seems to have begun well before the formal oath taking, by deciding not to invite any SAARC leaders to the ceremony because the deep financial crisis engulfing Pakistan is everybody's knowledge.  Imran Khan, therefore, has sent a message that he believes in austerity.