Political activism: PTI controls social media despite PML-N efforts to outdo it

LAHORE: The social media activists hailing from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) outnumber the social media activists of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) on Twitter despite the fact that the PML-N held a convention of its Social Media Team (SMT), addressed by party President Nawaz Sharif in Lahore, on Tuesday.

According to details, #IKinLahore (Imran Khan in Lahore) remained the second top trend on Twitter in Pakistan throughout the day, while #PMLNSMTMeetup (meeting of PML-N Social Media Team) was far behind in this regard, Pakistan Today has observed.

Sultan Ahmed, a PTI Twitter activist, criticised the social media team of the PML-N, saying that the PML-N hired paid social media activists whereas the PTI has voluntary activists. The reason behind this phenomenon is, he said, that the PTI supporters are inspired by the philosophy of Imran Khan.

As the social media is gaining much importance and popularity in the field of politics, the PTI is using this tool very effectively to highlight the activities of Imran Khan; therefore, Imran Khan becomes the top trend whenever he addresses any public procession.

In 2017, Imran Khan has addressed 14 large public gatherings in Punjab—the bastion of the PML-N. It is interesting to note that every address of the PTI chief became managed to find a space in the top trends at Twitter. Imran Khan has hitherto addressed public gatherings in Chishtian, Layyah, Taunsa Sharif, Kot Addu, Khanewal, Jaranwala, Sheikhupura, Okara, Lahore, Mandi Bahauddin, Khushab, Jehlum, Mianwali and Attock.

On Tuesday, Imran Khan tour to Lahore once again became the second top trend on Twitter when he reached there to meet Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri to show support for the cause of justice in Model Town case.

However, PML-N is leaving no stone unturned in increasing its social media reach by boosting the morale of its activists. Maryam Nawaz, who is the main orchestrator of the social media team, lauded the services of her team, saying that the social media team of the PML-N has reached to several thousand members from a few people in a matter of only four years. “The social media of the party has played an important role in spreading the message of Nawaz Sharif across the country,” she said, adding that the social media campaigners of the party had played an important during the Nawaz’s post-disqualification GT Road Rally.

The key members of Maryam Nawaz’ team, including state ministers Maryam Aurangzeb, Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, and Federal Minister Daniyal Aziz were also present at the convention.