PTI show deserved more than six unclear promises
It thundered at Minto Park on Saturday; though perhaps not the type of thunder the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was hoping for. The skies poured down on a festive audience at the Minar-e-Pakistan as PTI Chairman Imran Khan was making his address and much before he could start administering oath to the promised 80,000 elected PTI representatives.
This amidst a fading public popularity graph, as the PTI took on the immensely risky task of conducting internal party polls just before campaign season. In kicking of its election drive from Lahore, Imran knew that he could back upon the euphoria on the October 30, 2011, rally that transformed him and his party from pretenders to contenders.
Minto Park, without doubt, became the sight of the revival of the PTI, but the criticisms remained the same: nothing concrete. Imran’s six promises which began with a promise “not to lie” were as vague as they could come. Almost like a child promising his mother not to eat chocolate – a promise that both know will not be kept.
There were barely any doubts or surprises that came with the fact that the rally was much larger than that the October 30 rally – the PTI has managed to become an organisation, albeit still centred around trust in one individual’s ability to deliver on still vague promises. The differences this time around were that the rally appeared less well managed, with attendees destroying the security barriers along the routes. But the genuine fervour amongst PTI supporters, with some performing bhangra and hatan dances, was there for all to see. The PTI now appears to be producing its own jiyalas – unlike the PPP, PML-N and other mainstream political parties.
The PTI made it clear that its choice of date, March 23, and location, Minto Park, was intended to make the so-called ‘tsunami plus’ rally like the Lahore Resolution. But in contrast with what was a concrete and secular document, Imran Khan’s speech was bedazzled with religious vocabulary. Sincerity, not policies; truth, not falsehood; God’s support, not human will; are what the PTI asked the attendee to believe in.
Nonetheless, the March 23 rally, even though it came to an abrupt end due to a thunderstorm, marked an enthusiastic start for the PTI’s electoral drive. Will it tip the electoral balance is still a question that can only be answered on May 11 at the polling booth. Analysts think the PTI would come second, or third, in the next election. Either way it would mark a remarkable rise for Imran Khan’s party, which could find itself trying to manouvre itself into power in a hung parliament after the polls results come. If in power, Imran Khan will have to deliver; if not, Khan, and his young party members, will get an opportunity to groom their political skills.
With over 250,000 people in attendance at a rally to put forward a manifesto, PTI devotees can claim that the rain spoiled the plan to reveal a coherent plan. But the fact is people were given six vague promises, not concrete policies.
so you just towed the same line which all others are. nothing fresh . . you just picked up the pen and started with sense less logic. See everyone has to abuse the ex-president and its a political compulsion, created for minting money by the anchor persons of our "azad media" . No one dare to say that he has been the most sincerest person in Pakistan who appeared after a long time. Now is IK who at the moment is the only one who says and who does it. Its difficult for people like you to understand that the nation has only one choice and that IK or maybe you just want to appear in blogs for the sake of it. Forget about IK's several thousands weaknesses, he still stands as the only choice. Better be rational if your conscious allows that. The post was not worth commenting, I dont know why I wasted my time here
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