Didn’t we tell you that political parties will start taking social media seriously? One might argue that they were already into it but the importance and weight for social media after PTI’s jalsa in Lahore has escalated like never before.
Keeping in line with the need of the time, Chief Minister Punjab and top leader of PML-N Shahbaz Sharif has launched his official Facebook page himself.
Along with Facebook, Shahbaz revisited his strategy for Twitter and Pring, a mobile social network. Fresh accounts with newly-established policy were created to reach the audience on both the networks with maximum influence.
Clearly, the leadership is planning to get the internet crowd moving with their political motives in thecoming months. They are hiring specialized individuals for the purpose who will manage their online identity with a positive approach.
Here are Shahbaz’s official pages:
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Sharif.Shehbaz
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz
- Pring: http://www.pringit.com/ShehbazSharif/
Having said all this, political leaders should keep in mind that online presence can backfire if expectations are not met. If not tackled well then negative feedback can result in disaster.
Last month, party chief Nawaz Sharif set up a committee that included MNAs, party officials and IT experts to determine why Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was doing so well among young people, where the PML-N was going wrong, and how to remedy this. Following the PTI’s impressive rally at Minar-i-Pakistan last Sunday, largely attended by young people, the committee’s task has taken on even greater urgency.
Sources in the party told The Express Tribune that the committee, which included people with expertise in psychology and anthropology, had made recommendations on how to capture the youth vote and the PML-N was preparing to act on them.
A version of this post originally appeared on ProPakistani.
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COMMENTS (27)
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i agree with Farah ,too little too late for PML(N)
Good page on facebook by shehbaz where he informs about his daily activities and development projects by his government unlike IK page where he is just rhetoric and pointing finger at others.
what is sindh chief minister doing? I even have hard time remembering his name once when there was some discussion going on between friends. ( i follow news on the daily basis) .Shabaz shareef at least look like he is doing something.
As a nation we must learn to criticise positively. All the leaders and politicians are Pakistanis, maybe more patriot than us. Labeling one leadr as patriot and the other as traitor, or one as 'inqilabi' and other as 'kharabi' is not going to lead us anywhere. PTI has done well by using technology to its advantage, so if another party or leader follows suite, it should be appreciated. Leaders must be taken on face value and performance. As faras I know, Imran has yet to prove his worth as a politician. He is all rhetoric at the moment. We will see how much metle he has when and if he comes to power. Till that time its not an equalk comparison.
damn .. the reading the comments.. now i knwo why 70% of the students fail in martric/ inter /bcom exams. FARIGH ! LEARN by reading and knowing thing !! not by watching on tv !!! sensation lovers ! and at teh end .. smart move by PML - N !
Copying the footsteps of PTI eh?
http://www.facebook.com/pml.n.official
This is PML-N's official facebook page and it was created before Shahbaz's official page. Get your stats straight.
Hats off to you Mr. Shahbaz.You're the best administrator !
@Karim: "Musharraf has got more than 5 Million on FB Imran has got more than 2.5 Million on FB"
I think you are confusing millions with lakhs. 5 million is 50 lakhs. Musharraf has close to 5 lakh fans. This is one tenth of the number you claim he has. Same with IK.
Look out for JAALI friends list....shouldnt be less than "2.5 million"
hahahaha.....too "unfashionable" to be on facebook:)
Jack of all, Master of None
@Karim: 5 Million? Really? Sure? Lock kardein? Well 5 million actually means 5000000, and the actual figure is not even 0.5million(i.e 500000), a little less. This is elementary maths i assure u.
Now people will have easy access to abuse him... directly :) ~Well done Shahbaz Shareef..
PTI is ahead not because of social media, but what they promises youth and this country. Sorry, you got it on the wrong footing, Mr!
Giving yellow cap to a Graduate holder is not the right vision of PML-N. Make Tax free zones in the remote area where Industrialist/foreigners can plant the Industries which creates jobs & opportunities.
It's a good initiative but only presence at the Facebook and other social media is not sufficient to win the hearts of the youth. You have to deliver as you are ruling 60% of the Pakistan. So answer the criticism via performance not by following others foot steps.
Interesting... PMLn has proved... it is no more a National party... so just to save punjab from IK... CM is on social media... What about PMLn page... to represent the party... losers cannot be the winners...
His party is not altogether a very sincere one, but Shehbaz Shareef, as a person, is a competent and sincere man.
@Karim: 5Million for pervez mush? do you know what 5Million means?It means 5000000! Actual number is 0.5Million(500000-)
Somebody tell him to check his notifications!
Why Shehbaz Shareef why not PML N official ?
While my opinion of the guy isn't all that positive, at least it can be said that he actually does acknowledge criticism and recommendations. That's a good quality for someone running for any type of office. Though, obviously, it's only supportive. It won't help a person if that's all there is.
After stealing PTI's slogans, agenda, target etcetera, PML-N is now embarking on Facebook mission. COPY-CATS!
Lets see How many Fans Shahbaz Sharif can attract........
Musharraf has got more than 5 Million on FB Imran has got more than 2.5 Million on FB
No matter what they do they wouldn't be able to get public's backing. As they say no matter how good a sales man you are, you can not sell the rotton fruits. Musharraf's got ''A Face Book Party'', who was up and propagating this ... Welcome On foot steps of Musharraf you are learning to live ....
Instead of creating social media presence/pages attract the youth through your performance. You are in search of youth vote and on the other hand you are initiating Yellow Cap Scheme for fresh Graduates??? this is not going to work sorry.