Imran yet to stand the test of time
Taimur Shaique Hussain
According to a recent research conducted by PEW, Imran Khan was polled the victor among various choices offered for the slot of the most popular political leader within Pakistan. It has also been believed for some time now that his political wing, the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) is, perhaps, the fastest growing political party in Pakistan.
Many believe, among others, that PTI houses the largest student political wing, the Insaf Students Federation, and also the largest following on Facebook, and other social media. Given the fact that approximately 65 percent of Pakistans population is under the age of 30 years, and given the Election Commissions renewed Voter Registration or Deletion Drive, it would be little wonder if all these disciples of the PTI, and of its charismatic Chairman, Imran Khan, are systematically converted into potential and registered voters. Technological innovation, participation of youth, and a sense of revolutionary change appear to be the enduring hallmarks of the PTI ever since the early 1990s when no less than millions of Imrans Tigers sprung to life, rallied around a lone call from him, and got to work on the SKMT project. Now the party brings its message, appeal, and membership possibility to every Pakistani, who spares 30 odd seconds to sms their name and city of residence to 80022.
The 80022 campaign began hardly a few weeks ago. Already, in excess of 350,000 people have enrolled as PTI members! And this has happened without any official marketing or sales campaign, and through exclusive reliance on factors such as word-of-mouth and every Pakistanis emotions, feelings, and urge to be part, in one manner or another, of not only PTI as a political party, but also social revolution. It is approximated that about 100 million mobile phone users reside within our country, and this may be a revolutionary method for service-centred groups to distribute their services.
It appears surprising that while the PTI is increasing membership at an exponential rate, other parties that tried to replicate this seem to be failing dismally, despite large outlays on marketing. Perhaps, as the PEW research may indicate, no other political party in Pakistan shares the sheer appeal that is typical of the PTI, Pakistans only viable alternative to status quo politicians, both treasury and opposition.
According to party spokespeople, Our tech savvy, alternative, and young party plans in future to conduct most of its normal business, be it voter registration or political campaigning, through memberships on the 80022 number.
While political opponents had previously been critical of technology, social media, and electronic media as viable methods to build an electoral bank, the PTI continued day-after-day through dedicated workers, youth, students, and women to build upon what today appears the PTIs core strength. While the Election Commission is likely to chuck out about 37 million bogus votes from the voters list, thus hurting traditional parties historically benefiting from those hollow votes, the new pool of voters registered is likely to have a heavy quantum of these same social-media-using youth, who plugged into their computers night after night to follow every word from Imran Khan and PTI! These hidden pockets of support may more than likely be converted into concrete, congregated votes.
With every other party having taken various turns in governance and having failed, rather miserably every single time, the PTI still brings a stellar record in social services, politics, and preservation of core ideology. PTI spokespeople urge everyone in the nation to please experience the change in grassroots politics, and be a part of the revolution that is silently spreading across the entire length and breadth of Pakistan. They claim that they have brought you your party to your fingertips only your name and a city of residence to be sms-ed to 80022!
Being part of a global movement in welfare, education, social causes, health, and politics has never been so easy!
The writer was former editor of Aitchisonian - Centenary Anthology, and ex-senior editor of Wharton Journal.
Email:
taimurtsh@gmail.com
