Hope and Change?

Put together the "Hope and Change" promise of President Obama with the action hero quality of former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and you would get someone like Imran Khan, the cricket  star who is trying to make a difference in Pakistan's politics. Unfortunately, most Pakistanis told us he's perceived more like Texas Congressman Ron Paul; voters may be intrigued by his ideas but they feel his Tehreek-e-Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice) party has no chance to form a winning coalition. Winning is important to the man who led Pakistan to its only World Cup win in 1992. But in trying to break the hold of widespread corruption, family dynasties, military dominance and tribal customs in Pakistani politics, he may be taking on an opponent that will be tougher to beat.

Pakistan's political parties tend to decorate the landscape with oversized pictures of their leaders and there was no shortage of Khan posters, like this one in Saidpur Village. But when our group of visiting American journalists interviewed Khan at his home in Islamabad, we met a politician who gives the physical impression of being larger than life.
 
The spacious villa with its commanding valley view would not have been out of place in an upscale Florida country club, and it was tastefully decorated in the British colonial style. Even the dog, Sherni, gave the impression of steadfastness, except for the occasional howl.

Khan, the 59-year-old divorced father of two, welcomed us to a veranda and explained his bold promise to end corruption in Pakistan within 90 days of taking office. Larisa Epatko of the PBS News Hour posted some audio from our interview. Listen here.

 Khan speaks with understandable pride of his charitable endeavors, reflecting the belief of many Pakistanis that private citizens can accomplish things that the government cannot. And when speaking with college students in Karachi, we could tell that his ideas have planted a seed with his supporters in the younger generation. It's too early to tell if he score with voters when the next elections take place later this year or next year, but I wouldn't bet against him. It will be fascinating to watch.