The recent surge in PTI’s popularity has set the stage ready for a showdown in the upcoming general elections next year. But despite huge turnouts in rallies accompanied by massive advertising on social media, will the outcome of the general elections next year be any different?
For one thing, it is obvious that the increase in popularity of the PTI is more attributable to dismay associated with dismal performance of the incumbent government over the last four years rather than the appeal of the party on its own. Second, it is also quite evident that recent charm of the party is due to the charisma of its leader, Imran Khan and its relatively novel entrance in the political arena.
Even if these two factors are discounted, the fact remains that the voting turnout in Pakistan’s history has been disappointing, hence it begs the question: although the people support the PTI wholeheartedly, will they actually turn up on the election day to cast vote? There seems a cloud of uncertainty shrouding our nation’s politics.
SHEHARYAR KHALID
Lahore