A recent story published in a newspaper claims that Reham Khan, wife of PTI Chief Imran Khan, is thinking about taking part in active politics from next general elections. According to the story, Reham visited different areas of Hazara and is seriously pondering over the possibility of contesting the NA-21 seat, her home constituency, against Captain Safdar of PMLN.
While I was trying to analyze the pros and cons of such move by Reham Khan, a friend of mine who is also a diehard Imranist, picked up the newspaper and began reading it. “I don’t think Reham Khan should take part in politics”, was his instant reply upon reading the said story.
Though the story is based on rumors, but with the power position that Reham has attained upon marrying Imran Khan, one just can not outrightly dismiss the temptations she might be dealing with, to take part in politics. It’s all but natural.
Moreover, these temptations would be amplified by incessant requests from various well-wishers pressuring her to get involved. “Take part in politics to help the poor people of your ancestral land”, they might be rephrasing this cliche line in order to convince her.
No doubt, she is in a good position to take part in politics, and help the people of her constituency. However, the question is not if she can do it, but rather whether she should?
As Voltaire famously said, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Reham too has to carefully use her powerful position. Indeed, her intention might be good, but she has to realize the fact that her existence as an independent person ceased to exist the moment she tied the knot with Imran Khan. Now every decision she may or may not take will directly affect Imran Khan and Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Moreover, PTI members consider PTI a distinctive party. A party that talks of change, and is against the current status-quo based parties of the country. The most powerful line of attack they have against other mainstream parties such as PMLN and PPP is that they’re family limited, plagued with nepotism and cronyism. They take pride in their party for being adverse to such undemocratic moves.
The decision of Reham Khan to take part in politics, no matter how beneficial it could be to the people of her constituency, will raze this distinctiveness of PTI to the ground. It will shatter Imran Khan’s credibility and his image of being
For Reham Khan, the possible position she can hold in Tehreek-e-Insaf, is to be a part of the party without actually being part of it. She can, if required, give her valuable suggestions on various issues to Imran Khan and Tehreek-e-Insaf. That is probably the only respectable position she can have in the party.
As far as helping the people of Hazara is considered, she can do that very well without being a member of the assembly. She can let Imran Khan know the problems of the people. Highlight core problems of the area and help suggest ways to solve them. She doesn’t have to be a politician to do all this.
Imran Khan strives to turn Tehreek-e-Insaf into a strong institution. An institution based on the strong foundation of meritocracy. However, giving Reham Khan a political role will be the start of an end to the realization of such an institution.
