Imran-Washington bromance | Talat Hussain

Syed Talat Hussain

Imran is enjoying life in many ships these days. Worship of his workers. Courtship by the courts. And now (diplomatic) Sponsorship by the West, primarily Washington but also Europeans, Canadians and of course the kingdom of king Charles and Queen Camilla. 

We are familiar with the first two ‘ships’ primarily through their disastrous consequences: a country divided down the middle, institutions fractured, a personality cult that is now causing people to be lynched, and judges audaciously working as members of PR firms hired to install Imran back to power.  

But implications of the burgeoning diplomatic sponsorship by the west aren’t really in focus. These should be because these can be potentially no less devastating.

No need to panic, yet, but it would not hurt to be watchful of this fascinating new bromance phase develop between the West and Imran. The man has always had a constituency in the West—their darling, their babe, their man, his critics say--- but it got diluted considerably when he swung decisively towards the Talibaan and became their apologist in more ways than one. 

His ratings went up again when he piggybacked on the Establishment’s plan to -reverse-engineer national politics and became prime minister. But post Trump---his political dopple-ganger---Imran headbutted Biden consistently for “not calling him” and virtually made himself a pariah. His relations with the EU also sank. He was seen as untrustworthy and schizophrenic in his world view, vying for liberal audience abroad and dwelling in occult domestically where lunar cycles and slaughtered chickens determined which country he should visit and which he should not.

After his ouster, he lost much of his remaining charm on account of his concoction of “US conspiracy” to oust him because he did not allow them “military bases” on Pakistani soil and also “resisted their other demands”. Washington-the-bully became a favourite punching bag of votary-the-silly, who wore Absolutely Not shirts and spat on star-spangled US flag.

But this is changing rapidly. The rush to “engage Imran” is bordering on stampede. Whether it is the US ambassador or the German emissary the gates of Western embassies are as open and wide as their ears to hear Imran’s case for being brought back to power. And this diplomatic opening is apart from the paid-for lobbying effort, stretching from the Capitol Hill to different western capitals which compliments the recast Western view of Imran as a man they need. 

And why do they need him? There are several reasons and each can be converted into a full-scale strategic pivot around which long-term western interests revolve. 

One, Washington likes to be in control of agents of chaos in strategic areas. If Imran can make a nuclear country dysfunctional because of his following or his support base, he can’t be ignored. 

Two, it is better to have problem-children inside your tent peeing outside than outside peeing inside. Imran needs to be engaged because if the West does not, the Chinese will. And if Imran’s current bad ties with Beijing are a phase, then this needs to be used to ensure that he is permanently recruited to stay on this side of the tent. 

Third, Imran is superbly resourceful when it comes to mauling the Army and the ISI. No CIA or RAW or MOSSAD plan could have done so much damage to the repute of the core of Pakistan’s Establishment as have a handful of party trolls, a pack of party leaders, a half a dozen tv channels and Imran-led social media group members. A weakened and publicly disparaged Establishment is a fine opportunity to push agendas that have been on hold for long: more ingress into the nuclear policy sanctum of the state; controlling the dynamics of Pakistan’s China policy and, if nothing else, scorching the CPEC pathway.   

Fourth, Imran back in power through western support and lobbying will allow a permanent outpost in a turbulent region. An emaciated Pakistan that is on the brink economically and chaotic politically can’t be left to normal diplomatic ways to be engaged. If it caves, strong political groups are needed as tools to stay in the game. If it stabilizes, the west would want to be the primary shaping influence on its future. If it stays the same--- uncertain, touch and go, uneasy and precariously placed---a leader with a strong social base and appeal in both conservative and liberal circles is a handy resource. 

And finally, Imran is desperate for kissing and making up with the west. He is on his knees (and political wheelchair). He is begging and groveling. Now is the time to win him over and forever hold his allegiance. If there ever was a time for Imran to be their man, it is now.