Senior journalist Mubashir Ali Zaidi has voiced concern over what he calls Pakistan’s emotional approach to politics, where citizens tend to idealize leaders rather than strengthen institutions. He noted with surprise that even educated and sensible individuals often place blind faith in political figures, particularly Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) and its chairman.
Institutional Support and Political Language
Zaidi argued that Imran Khan’s rise was aided by establishment and media backing, similar to how Nawaz Sharif benefitted from institutional support in the 1990s. However, he pointed out that Sharif avoided the harsh and offensive language that, in his view, became a hallmark of PTI’s political discourse.
Corruption Allegations and Propaganda
Reflecting on corruption charges, Zaidi said such accusations have historically targeted all major leaders. He suggested that personal conduct and character remain key differentiators, adding that much of the propaganda against Nawaz Sharif was driven by intelligence agencies rather than genuine political strategy.
The Search for Saviours
Zaidi criticized the tendency of educated Pakistanis—including bureaucrats, academics, and journalists—to expect miraculous solutions from political figures they perceive as “saviours.” He argued that this reflects a cultural reliance on saints or divine intervention, rather than acceptance of democracy’s slow and difficult evolution.
میں اچھے خاصے سمجھ دار لوگوں کو تحریک انصاف کی حمایت کرتے دیکھ کر حیران ہوتا تھا۔ سوچتا تھا کہ یہ لوگ اس قدر بد دماغ، بد زبان اور مغرور پلے بوائے کے پیچھے کیوں چل پڑے ہیں۔
یہ سچ ہے کہ عمران خان کو مقبول بنانے میں فوج کا بڑا کردار تھا۔ میڈیا کو استعمال کیا گیا۔ سوشل میڈیا پر ٹرول…— Mubashir Ali Zaidi (@MubashirAZaidi) November 21, 2025
Lessons from Mature Democracies
Drawing comparisons with the United States, Zaidi reminded that even centuries‑old democracies continue to grapple with corruption, inflation, poverty, and governance challenges. He questioned why Pakistan’s educated classes still reduce politics to simplistic binaries of “corrupt” versus “angelic.”
Toxic Discourse and Lost Opportunities
Zaidi concluded that if Imran Khan and his supporters had exercised restraint in their political language, Pakistan’s political landscape might have evolved differently. Instead, confrontational rhetoric alienated rival supporters and state institutions, including the military. According to him, mismanagement and corruption could have been controlled, but the persistent toxic discourse shattered the hopes once pinned on PTI’s rise.