It is indeed interesting that the resistance to electables is more within the party, than outside. This is perhaps the biggest challenge faced by the Kaptaan and has the potential of defining his political innings. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) shattered the myth of electability in the 1970 free and fair elections. Zia restored it in 1985 through partyless and manipulated elections. The trend continued unabated when Imran Khan challenged it. Imran’s Tehrik-e-Insafwas not taken seriously till October 2011, with the jalsa at Minar-e-Pakistan. By the time the momentum of ‘Naya Pakistan’ reached Mazar-e-Quaid on December 25, 2011 the political heavy weights that came in hoards tainted the purity of the dream. Moving from the city of Iqbal to Quaid, a new political pragmatism had set in.

As a student of management we were taught that it is almost impossible to change the culture of an organization. An interesting corporate example comes to mind. Hewlit Packard (HP) and Intel Corporation are two very successful US elective giants. While HP relies on creativity/innovation, Intel’s strength is discipline and manufacturability. Having experience of both companies the contrast is startling. At Intel everyone is required to show up for work at 8AM and leave after the job is done. At HP there are flexible hours, one can come and go at will as long as the milestones are being met. Employees of one company find it very difficult to cope with the culture of the other and exchange is almost non-existent.

In fifteen years (1996 to 2011) PTI had developed a unique political culture of its own. Founding members like Comrade Ahsan Rashid ,had instilled the virtue of giving not taking. Honesty, simplicity and integrity were the driving spirit of the party. On July 08, 2011 the party finalized and announced its first 100 days plan after a marathon session in Islamabad Presided by the Kaptaan. It was a twenty six page document that set the road map of the party. Under the heading of Improved Governance, there was a sub-heading a
‘Banishment Of VIP Culture and adopt Austerity’ that entailed: ‘The President, Prime Minister, Federal/Provincial Ministers will not use completely built imported vehicles. Only locally manufactured/assembled vehicles of engine capacity not to exceed 1300CC will be used. All current fleet of expensive vehicles like Mercedes, BMWs and Land Cruisers will be auctioned off. No Minister or Federal government official will be allowed vehicles which are not made in Pakistan.”

A lot of water has flown under the bridge between July 2011 and September 2015. The party is in power in one province and in opposition at the federal level. While the Kaptaan and the electables have probably moved on the rank and file is caught in the laid down culture of the movement. As already mentioned cultural changes are almost impossible to digest as they challenge the basic values of the organization, then where is the promised austerity? Why have the land cruisers not been auctioned? Has the VIP culture been banished? When the Kaptaan visited the Army Public School with his Chief Minister (CM) on January 14, 2015, it was reported that there was a convoy of 22 vehicles mostly imported and was received by protestors at the effected institution.

In India, Jawaharlal Nehru the first Prime Minister, implemented austerity measures. Everyone in government used the locally made Ambassador cars, which are made bullet proof for the PM/CM/Ministers. PM Muhammad Khan Jenejo, also introduced similar austerity measures in the country. Although he was a handpicked leader, with very little following yet, he was able to stamp his authority on the basis of moral strength of his decisions. Junejo Sahib was able to enhance his stature by pro-people policies. Had Mian sahib not betrayed the nation, civilian rule would have taken roots by now. In connivance with Zia he had the Junejo government dismissed.

In the seventies, ZAB launched his party on a platform of change based on social equality. His legacy is alive till today, which is why Zardaris are forced to carry the Bhutto name to show their lineage with him. When AsifZardari tried to bring cultural changes in the party it collapsed and the ‘jiyalas’ decided to go home. How Bilawal has been tasked to pick up the pieces.

Kaptaan has repeatedly remarked that the enemy is within the party. Unless the ideologues and the electables see eye to eye, the conflict and confusion will increase. It is the culture that gels an organization and it must be understood and respected by all if they desire harmony and positive results. At this juncture the Chou-en-Lai of the party Comrade Ahsan Rashid’s presence is greatly missed, as he truly represented the soul of the party. So far struggle for an honest ballot stands out is the biggest achievement of the movement spearheaded by the Kaptaan. For the sake of ‘Naya Pakistan’ and our coming generations the Kaptaan has to stamp and enforce the documented culture of PTI otherwise the status-quo will live while the crusaders will perished and their struggle will go in vain. For enforcing the culture of austerity in India, Nehru is revered as the founder of the progressive state, Kaptaan has a historic opportunity to do the same for his country. In the end it is the culture that determines the course of a nation individuals play their innings and perish, with PTI being no exception. The message is clear and simple: adopt the culture of the party you have joined or seek cultural compatibility elsewhere. PTI is determined to deliver ‘Naya Pakistan through honesty, integrity and austerity not manipulation and showmanship as has been the norm in the past. Change is now un-stoppable where those who come in the way will be politically banished and will have to live the rest of their lives abroad either in UK or UAE- as per traditions of self-exile.