How will Pakistan’s new prime minister affect Australia?

Imran Khan was declared Pakistan’s new prime minister by the country’s electoral commission on July 27.

The 65-year-old was a popular candidate after swapping his cricket stardom for a political platform 20 years ago.

Khan promises to fight corruption and create a ‘new’ Pakistan, promises that won him the prime ministership.

The election itself was alleged to be rigged before the polls opened.

His political party, Pakistan Tehereek-e-Insaf, brings a change to Pakistan’s traditional leadership of the past.

Mohammed Waqar is an RMIT student who moved from Pakistan four years ago and is very glad to see this change.

“It has brought an end to dynastic politics. We were either being ruled by PML-N or PPP, both of which are passing the torch of leadership to their kids only and letting them rule,” he said.

But what impact will Khan’s win have on Australia?

Dr Nadeem Malik, from the University of Melbourne, believes it to be a positive change.

“He has pledged to build better relations with the US, which follows that he would like to have better relationships with Australia as well vis-a-vis Australia’s troops in Afghanistan,” he said.

Waqar agrees that it could bring positive changes to Australian-Pakistan relations.

“We will be importing and exporting lots of goods in the coming years due to agriculture needs and business,” he said.

The new prime minister’s plans are favourable to Australia but dependent on the military.

”It will eventually depend on Pakistan’s military establishment policy, as the military calls the shots regarding foreign policy in Pakistan,” said Malik.

Although there are positive outlooks for Australia, Khan’s ability to implement his promises are still being scrutinised.

“To what extent his leadership qualities in Cricket would translate in politics has yet to be seen, as he has no experience of running a public office in the past,” said Malik.

(Imran Khan was elected prime minister of Pakistan on July 27. Photo: Flikr)