Pakistan: Goals hit and missed in Imran Khan's 100 days

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan

Millions of Pakistanis in July's general elections voted for change that Prime Minister Imran Khan had promised to bring about in his first 100 days.

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) six-pronged agenda included: transforming governance, strengthening the federation, revitalizing economic growth, uplifting agriculture and conserving water, revolutionizing social sector and ensuring national security.

More specifically, the 66-year former cricket star had pledged to create 10 million jobs, facilitate the private sector to build 5 million low-cost housing, reducing price-hike of basic goods, fixing the energy crisis and making the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a “game changer”.

He also promised to run affairs of the country without taking any foreign loans.

Khan who took office on Aug. 18 will complete his first 100 days on Nov. 26, but his voters still await the "change" he promised.

Haider Jamali, who works as an accountant in a local company, told Anadolu Agency: "He has done everything in the first 100 days contrary to what he had promised us."

"We were not expecting miracles. But at least he should have given some relief to the common people affected by soaring prices of essential commodities, including power and petroleum," he said.

"Things have gone from bad to worse in terms of inflation and price-hike in last three months,” he added.

The government announced a in electricity, petroleum and gas prices, following record-high depreciation in local currency against the U.S. dollar last month.

Naeem Abbasi, a computer technician at a firm, however, gives credit to Khan's government for not being corrupt.

"This is true that his government’s take-off is not good...But one credit I give to this government is that they have been truthful about the existing economic conditions and shown commitment to them in years to come," he said.

He also lauded Khan's no-holds-barred response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tweet against Pakistan, undermining Islamabad's role in the war against terror.

- 'U-turns'

Khan’s opponents dub him as “Mr. U-Turn" -- a sarcastic reference to his policy shifts. His brief time in office has, if anything, reiterated the perspective.

"I would prefer to die rather than beg for loans," he had said during his campaign.

But the country's ailing economy forced him to borrow billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia and China. Islamabad is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package.

His campaign revolved around slogans of anti-corruption and -nepotism. But he has appointed friends and family members on key government posts, drawing criticism from local media.

In a recent press meet, Khan justified his policy decisions.

“If you are walking and there is a wall in front of you, then you will have to change and find another way and a leader who does not know how to take U-turns is not successful," he told journalists.

On the political the government has failed to submit or pass a legislation in the National Assembly.

"Hundred days are of course not enough to assess the performance of a government. But this is unfortunately true that he has not so far been able to develop a confidence among the people about direction and policies of his government,” Zahid Hussain, an Islamabad-based political commentator told Anadolu Agency.

"Another thing he lacks is that he does not seem to be focused on major issues confronting the country, like economy, governance militancy," he said, adding: "He acts like an opposition leader rather than a prime minister."

Iftikhar Durrani, the prime minister's spokesman, claimed the government's biggest achievement was saving Pakistan from a financial crisis.

"We have set the direction...we will stick to our promise of providing 10 jobs and 5 million homes.

"Our voters are not angry with us. They don't mind if they have to bear the price-hike and inflation for seven-eight months," he said.