Pakistan is fighting a dengue outbreak. More than 10,000 people have been infected and at least 20 have died so far. But these figures have been provided by government officials, so there is every reason to believe there could be many more affected or those that might have died. The Imran Khan government, living up to its reputation, has been unable to deal with the outbreak effectively because it wasn’t prepared for the dengue season before it set in.
However, the government tells us that it is not their fault that the dengue situation is alarming. We are told we can’t blame the government. If Pakistan’s cities have roads with puddles of water, overflowing gutters, improper sanitation and non-existent garbage collection in various constituencies, then who should the people blame if not their leaders?
After all, it was Imran Khan who taught us that when things are not working fine, understand that your corrupt leaders are the reason. Leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would call Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif “dengue brothers”; while Imran Khan himself had the best solution when the epidemic was on the rise in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2017: When winters start, dengue cases will disappear on their own. How prophetic! We are glad that the prime minister’s solution to contain dengue didn’t involve asking Pakistanis to stand for thirty minutes daily.
But PM Khan’s focus couldn’t possibly have been on the dengue situation. There is so much riding on Khan’s ‘Mission Kashmir’ that even mentioning the word dengue could mean that the person is conspiring against him when he was all set to deliver his speech at the United Nations.
Also read: Our army, ISI trained al Qaeda, military backs all my decisions — gems from PM Imran in US
‘All is well’ in Pakistan
Imran Khan and his government have been blessed with what is called “positive reporting”, an idea that might resonate with “all izz well”. During Imran Khan government’s first year of rule, the media, under severe censorship, looked the other way when it came to reporting on the incompetence and lack of direction that resulted in several U-turns.
So, all is well. Inflation has touched 10.49 per cent in 2018 – but all is well. About a million people lost their jobs in the last fiscal while four million were pushed into poverty – but all is well. A total of 66 cases of polio have been reported in Pakistan this year, up from 12 cases last year, and there is no clear policy on how the government plans to address the issue or even stop polio vaccinators and health workers from getting attacked due to ‘mistrust’ among people. But all is well.
It wasn’t always so. When Imran Khan was in the opposition, all wasn’t well with Pakistan, we were told. Everything – from the legislature to the executive to the judiciary – was wrong. But suddenly, everything has fallen into place, so much so that the prime minister feels he can be “more worried about India right now than probably even Pakistan”. Yes, that’s true. He is worried about India. Lucky you, India; you can have a leader who can forget nearly all of his problems for you. Critics have asked the PM to “first worry about his country”, but what is there to worry when all is well?
Everything everywhere is well – except in Kashmir, because Kashmir still hasn’t become a part of Pakistan.
Also read: Imran Khan blames Donald Trump for derailing Afghan peace talks
Not Pakistan’s PM anymore
Imran Khan is done being the prime minister of Pakistan. He is now the ambassador of Kashmir, the wannabe mediator of Saudi Arabia-Iran-United States conflict, and the leader that the world looks up to. Just when and why he becomes all of these, we are not told. Looking at the current issues Pakistan has with its three neighbours India, Afghanistan and Iran, the prospects of Imran Khan becoming a world leader don’t look bright enough. Last year, he wanted to resolve the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. But that was last year; PM Khan now has new resolution opportunities. It’s a different matter that PM Khan doesn’t even shake hands with the opposition leaders in Parliament, let alone deal with issues concerning Pakistan or resolve disputes between other nations.
We were told we should be proud that the prime minister of our country was going to raise the Kashmir issue in the United Nations like no other Pakistani leader ever had before. The only thing we weren’t reminded of was how every Pakistani leader had told us the same thing before they went out on their customary UN outing. Kashmir and Palestine have always found place in the UN speeches of those who came before Khan – Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari – and likely will in speeches of those who will come after him. It’s the ride every leader of Pakistan gets to take. But no Pakistani leader will go to the UN and tell them about their plans. Because there is no plan. In the end, they will just come back home disappointed. Like Imran Khan has.
It seems for now we have to settle with a prime minister who, after successfully creating a Naya Pakistan, is now busy becoming a world leader. Let those suffering from dengue know that they are on their own with fluctuating platelet counts.
The author is a freelance journalist from Pakistan. Her Twitter handle is @nailainayat. Views are personal.
Pukes have hyped niazi’s visit well. They are all quite happy as if pukestan has arrived. LoL. Nobody gave a fig except that 94 year old senile man housing zakir naik and turkey. And Trump wants to hand over the baby to pukestan for a fee and so this was part of that. A beleagured pukestan gets to clutch at straws. LoL. Americans will treat niazi as a used condom once they leave afghanistan. Bhooka – Nanga, bhikari, matchbox, mulk has nothing to offer except Terrorism, Hard Drugs, & regression. Their Establishment is personally involved in degradation of the extreme for personal gains. They cannot reform. They shall disintegrate, thats for sure. They dont know how to live together.
Pak awasm ko bewkoof baba Raha hai IK aure qureshi. Ab kaunsa world cup Jeet key laaya
Why this indian hipocrite channel involve inside pakistan politics although india has 1000 of problems right now in their own country so better this The Print Fake news mind its own business
We would but you terrorists are spreading everywhere, and that is the core problem.
And hundreds of slums around India are not a problem? Poor infrastructure, high crime rates, extreme pollution, awful hygiene. None of these are a problem to you? Do you not care about your own country, or are you too stupid to realize that our country might not be what you think it is?
Was listening to Mr Khan today in the un and by zove the guy can speak. He took three times the time any othereader took and all he talked about was islamibhobia and Kashmir. The way he ranted and raved about radicalisation vi’s a viz Islam ook me my surprise. I though I was listening to a maulavi and not a head if state!!!! No wonder the guy defends terrorism, be it Al quaida and taliban or those in Kashmir.
The justification for violence and terror was indeed a first by a leader of a nation. No wonder Pakistan is going where it us. Selective truth is never truth and in the end only truth prevails.
With very little to deliver on home front, and economy heavily tilted on one side, and military dictating all steps to be taken, he can be a hero by championing Kashmir card. Being the sole custodian he can be eminent while the sand is slipping out beneath his feet. Unfortunately, he has the load of leading a country out of poverty, deprivation, sectorian violence, and crippling economy. Bad relationship with all 3 neighbors, with only exception of China, who entertains Pakistan to keep India on check. US, and now China is carrying out experiment on Pak, and the Nero is playing harp while Islamabad is burning
Imran Khan – a world leader? This must be the latest joke. Imran is the world leader of bhikaris. LoL
Imran is a world leader in producing children, legitimate and illegitimate. He also has the distinction of bedding so many women.
The americans will treat imran like a used condomn. The americans have been using pukistanis like this since the strife, war, terrorism & hard drugs in Afghanistan. And pukestan is always left holding the baby. While the Establishment goes laughing to the bank, the awaam goes to hospital for dengue.
Job well done Naila, you have made the indian readers happy with this article. Now you can take the money to your grave.
Tell us one sentence the Indian readers did not know about Pakistan.
Whether Imran goes to UN crying rolling on the ground or stays put in Pakistan .That country will reap in abundance what it sowed as state policy of terrorism.Its a matter of time.
This is a very selective and biased article. Has the reporter been to Pakistan and seen the results ? Many many things have improved and several projects are in the pipeline. It is not Imran’s fault the previous government messed up.
But at the UN and agreeing to mediate (unlike India who has never been asked to mediate) he has introduced himself as a bonafide world leader and its only been a year. Already he has tharted an Indian attack, looked like he wanted peace.
I think you are being very hard on IK. He is merely doing a “good job” that is military masters are asking him to do. It is not IK’s fault that Pakistan finds itself with few friends in the world. Pakistan sowed the seeds of Jihad in the 1980s and sprayed “fertilizers” such as Mumbai, Kargil, and numerous violence in Indian Kashmir. Those crops are finally bearing fruit. But unfortunately, the fruits are falling on Pakistan more so than India – Insecurity, fear, and massive violence. Khan is merely the farmer who has come at the time of this bountiful harvest.
If Imran Khan and his military masters are sincere in their calls for peace, they would ask themselves one question above all: If I radicalize my population in the name of kashmir, won’t any compromise with India, then be seen as a betrayal? if one wants a solution by talking, then one must compromise. How will Pakistan sell any compromise to their population, less than taking all of Kashmir? (and Forget that India at present is in no mood to yeild an inch of land).
Smart moves, begin at home. The text books and the thinking need to change. Economy and scientific thinking are more needed than ever.
Looks like Pakistan is in a terrible, irreparable state. You reap what you sow. Pakistan should search its own heart with diligence for out of it flow the issues of life. Somehow all of this reminds me of the song ‘Drive’ by The Cars.
There is no difference between any politician of South Asus . Modi is doing same being a die hard politician and smarter Khan a new entry . All are cheating their people.
I agree Imran Khan is done as prime minister of Pakistan, he has miserably failed to deliver on his promises, who cares if he becomes a world leader.
He have potential to lead the world. See how Modi is destroying India. You want Imran?
dear nailaji
I can feel the pain of a common citizen of pakistan.sometimes i feel angry with kashmiri leaders for ruining lives of both india and pakistan snd that of the innocent kashmiris.
For years they have played with both countries.they have deliberately peddled lies and rhetoric to ensure that arms,narcotics are smuggled freely thereby filling their coffers.
I hope change happens an hopefully indiaand pakistan will have good neighbourly relations and share science ,technology,medical updates and rest.
Usha
A rose is rose. You tarnish Imran Khans name does not matter. He will rise to the heights and will make a difference to achieve peace. The oppressor modi will not stay for ever he is going meet his fate
Fluctuating platelet count…liked the last line
Entire Indian subcontinent is cursed with socialist poverty. Non of the political leaders have the guts to let go off socialism. I was surprised to see Imran Khan promising welfare state in bankrupt Pakistan. All these leaders like Nehru, Jinnah, imran etc with fancy British education failed to learn basic economics and that socialism is bad economics.
Vaise dekha jaye toh dono mulq joined at the hip nazar aate hain.