Breaking barriers, discovering new vistas

Much that it may be denied in every conceivable way, the Sunday night virtual jalsa of the PTI has jolted the power-wielders out of their contrived slumber. Despite the government's efforts to slow down the internet and disrupt X, Facebook, and other social media platforms, over 10 million people connected with the event which lasted into the early morning hours on Monday. The highlight of the show was the groundbreaking address of the PTI Chairman-for-life, Imran Khan, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

As one of my friends described it, “the Sunday night virtual jalsa unfolded without the physical presence of Khan and other top leadership of the party. The assembly was strategically devised to ready PTI voters, supporters, and leadership” for the daunting challenges that lie ahead, leading up to the planned elections on February 8.

He was also impressed by the immense gathering of the party supporters from across the globe as a “demonstration of passion, political acumen, and depth of PTI leadership along with its rank and file. In essence, the PTI has evolved into an intergenerational phenomenon of the people with a vast grassroots support base. It is imperative to realise and adapt to this reality”.

This and other similar accolades have found expression by way of the need to recognize by far the most impressive showing of the expanse and depth of strength by any political party in the history of Pakistan. The phenomenon refuses to stop growing in strength and connectivity. People from across all social, cultural and age divides find the PTI aura irresistible and keep adding to its strength and potency as a formidable political force to be reckoned with.

The project to eliminate Imran Khan and the PTI started a long while ago by employing both stealth and brutal state apparatus. Much to the angst and frustration of the perpetrators, not only were they not able to achieve their immediate goals; but they ended up helping the PTI gain further depth and strength across all societal echelons. As a matter of fact, its popularity continued to increase in direct proportion to the use of a vast repertoire of brutal tactics to decimate it.

When the democratically elected government of Imran Khan was removed by hatching a conspiracy with local and foreign collaborators, it was thought that, once out of power, the PTI would be a dead horse. What happened was the opposite of the perceived plans: the party grew in popularity at a phenomenal pace, and it is now reckoned as the most imposing political force ever in the country with deep roots across societal parameters. To the naysayers, it may have come as a surprise, but not to those who have been students of political history and who have followed the emergence of parties in the country and in the larger region Pakistan is located in.

The PTI’s credibility has been based on a passionate espousal of its social welfare programme and translating its promises into reality in alleviating the sufferings of people, most notably those belonging to the aggrieved sections of society. From achieving a 6.1 GDP growth rate to ensuring relief to the impoverished communities of the country even through the challenging times of Covid-19, Khan lived up to his pre-election promises in letter and spirit. Be it the country-wide health card facility, Ehsas programme, Roshan Digital Account, billion tree tsunami, shelter homes, fight against corruption, bumper crops, and record production in multiple sectors – his principal achievements were primarily focused on improving the lives of the poorest segments of the society.

That is how he set about changing the face of the country and providing breathing space to such communities who had been historically brutalized by the notorious ruling elite, fully aided, and abetted by a system rooted in the sickening colonial mindset. This change threatened the traditional minuscule beneficiary class of the country as they started hatching a plot to bring him down to save their ascendency on a system which had grown increasingly brutal and corrupt through consciously contrived and malevolent intent of those who were benefiting from its accumulating rot.

The critical steps that Khan took in expanding the strategic paradigm of the country by initiating a policy of outreach to regional stakeholders, including Russia, became a key factor in launching the final assault to dismantle his government as it disturbed the traditional ingredients that had shaped Pakistan’s foreign policy. But the barbaric post-dismissal actions have bred hate for the system across the vast expanse of the societal network. This is what has given rise to the unstoppable expansion of the PTI phenomenon.

Heading towards the elections scheduled for February 8, there are two broad ways one can look at paving the way into the future: accept the reality and initiate a process of dialogue to come to terms with it or try to crush it against the intensity of predominant public sentiment and the currents of time. By opting for the former, an environment of peace and harmony would be cultivated in the country, but resorting to the latter option would breed further division in society, even forcing it into a violent outbreak of emotion.

It is not a difficult choice to make, but the wiser of the options is likely to touch some raw nerves which is what has forced the power-wielders to persist with the divisive approach of burying the PTI under the weight of state brutality. Much that they have tried, they have only succeeded in further incensing the public sentiment in favour of the PTI and expanding its support base at the grassroots level.

I have written earlier about the phoenix syndrome and whether we have seen the last of it. Having taken stock of the past almost two years, I dare say that the phoenix has begun to rise from its ashes with formidable power and force. With a support base across the country and through all segments of the societal divide, the PTI’s rise is no accident. It is embedded in its espousal of the national cause in a manner that only Khan had the courage and grit to do. It now appears to be an irreversible phenomenon. Pakistan and its people seem wedded to the cognisable change which is taking shape.

I share my friend’s concluding thoughts: “the PTI’s limitless capacity to keep proving its critics wrong underscores that it is not a fleeting phenomenon”. Breaking the traditional barriers and discovering new vistas has provided the space that is otherwise being so unjustly and brutally denied. The way into the future is by conceding to the dominant will of the people, not fighting it.

The writer is the information secretary of the PTI, and a fellow at King’s College London. He tweets/posts @RaoofHasan