PTI’s Peshawar power show shocks critics
Imran Khan addressing a rally in Peshawar. Photo: Twitter/PTI
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) power show in Peshawar was a real success but it failed to create an environment for general elections in the country.
Despite this now other political parties will be forced to activate their youth and women wings in order to effectively counter PTI as thousands of young girls and boys flocked to the rally on Imran Khan’s call.
It was the first public rally by Imran Khan after his ouster from power and its success really shocked the critics and observers alike.
It is also true that PTI failed to present its case for the new elections in this rally because its en masse resignations from the national assemblies were yet to be approved and it is still in power in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Punjab provinces.
PTI has decided to launch its country-wide rallies from Peshawar and the Ring Road rally, which was addressed by party chairman Imran Khan and other leaders, without any doubt, proved to be one of the largest rallies in the city. A large number of youngsters flocked to the venue along with female supporters of the party which is yet another indication that the party is still very popular in womenfolk.
Now the only way out for the PTI’s political rivals is to strengthen their youth and women wings in order to match PTI otherwise they will not be able to compete in general elections.
After the 2018 elections, all parties tried their best to make their youth wings more active but they failed miserably in it. Nor are their women wings active like the PTI women wing.
The religious political parties have a large bank vote in the province but they have cornered their female supporters due to unknown reasons so the filed has been left completely open and uncontested to the PTI.
Despite efforts, PTI has failed in creating an environment for general elections even after its more than successful show in Peshawar and future rallies in Lahore and Karachi, because it has been in a fix to quit provincial assemblies.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2022.