For any political gathering to be successful it is not the speech that counts, but rather the strength, which sends out a message to policymakers.
Intelligence and law-enforcement agencies have a whole network of people at every such gathering to ascertain the numbers. What follows is the account of such officials whose names have been withheld at their request.
“I just got a call from the chief, and he asked me to give him my estimates for the number attending the PTI rally,” says an official of the Special Branch. “When I told him it is around 75,000 he told me to go and find a neutral observer,” he adds and laughs, talking to his counterpart in the Punjab Police’s Operations Department.
In response, the Operations Department official says he has to keep the count low, since his department head knows that a low count will keep the Punjab government happy. “But I got a call from the CM Secretariat, and they are now quoting figures of 60,000 themselves,” adds the police official.
The Special Branch had set up a survey van at the back of the stage where Imran Khan spoke. With an elaborate technological system recording every angle of the rally with CCTVs installed all around the location, and even on top of Minar-e-Pakistan, the screens showed a flood of people.
Biggest public gathering?
A senior photographer of an English daily, while sharing his experience with a young journalist, claimed that the PTI rally was the largest public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan since former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s arrival in Pakistan in 1986. People belonging to all walks of life – young and old, rich and poor – were seen at the venue, which was at full capacity.
Drone strike’s victims attend
A sizeable number of people came from Khyber-Pakhtukhawa and tribal areas, some of them being direct victims of US drone strikes.
“We have come voluntarily to participate in this meeting because we think Imran Khan has right policies,” PTI president in the Mohmad Agency Sajid Khan told The Express Tribune.
PTI’s tehsil Safi organizer Jam Dad Khan said: “I have lost my two uncles to drone attacks .We are supporting Khan due to his anti-American as well as anti-drone stance.” He added that Imran Khan is gaining popularity in K-P and Fata.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2011.
COMMENTS (65)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Salahuddin: Very cynical. Every democratic country in the world is run by Establishment to some extent.RAW support Bollywood to make stereotypical exaggerated films about Pakistan Army..Oscar of 2009 was given to the film (The Hurt Locker) in honor of american forces in Iraq we could argue that why didn't they make any film about the Abu Gariab Prison where they humiliated iraqi prisoners. Get real...the corruption is cancer and Imran is focusing on that.
@Samina Razzaq: totally agree with you the same thing i am asking that in the whole jalsa and in his previous statements he always blamed musharraf and other parties and their supporters for all the current situation in this country, what about Mian Azhar who was one of the right hand of Musharaff and his histroy everyone knows, .what about Hamid Nasir Chatta who was the minister from Q league during Musharaff regime..i can see a different between words and practice..and specially before leaving to China IK told media that if Nawaz Shareef will declare his assets then we can make alliance with him, even after pure personal critics on him during his jalsa at lahore...i think if i will judge him then i will not only judge him on his personality but also with people with whom he is going to make alliance and who will be with him..and this matters alot..
@Samina Razzaq: i totally agree with you..specially they got mian azhar in their team everyone knows his past...then they got chatta from gujranwala in their who was minister during mushraff regime and they are blaming musharaff and taking men who were working with him...and before going to china on airport he said that if nawaz sharif will declare his assets then we will make alliance with them..even after blasting them in his speech...
Bean ur Bhutto in 1986 was the only opposition party it was easier for her to get larger numbers zia was far more unpopular than current ruling Alliance is.
@aamir riaz:
you are right we are witness of Benazir Rally and Jalsa, it was huge crowd from Shekhupura to Lahore, PTI had only 1/3 portion filled with crowd that was full at that time. the important thing is that we keenly observed the crowd from Lahore, in between 2-4 there was no traffic jam, on main Gulberg, Canal Road, Ichra road. the people were mainly outsiders not lahorities. thus the Jalsa is one of the biggest of Lahore.
DEAR samina leave these things, WE JUST WANT A CHANGE.
I hope IK can also do rallies in Quetta, Karachi and KPK. IA.
5 lac People is attending dis event in my technical opinion ... mostly peoples are blocked due to traffic flow
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150351621759527&set=a.440939354526.233923.151626539526&type=1&theater
also, international and independent journalists estimate the figures to be in the region of aorund 200,000 people!
I'm trying not to put Imran Khan in that messiah category that so many people seem to be doing here - because then you're simply setting yourself up for a disappointment regardless of how hard he tries and how clean his intentions maybe. The solution is long and complex, not a quick-fix so-called "revolution" and the public needs to come to grips with that fact.
With that said, I do think he deserves a chance considering what kind of leadership this nation has already been through - the public is behind him, he has the charisma and his intentions are in the right place, all that's left is how to apply that practically. He has every shot. Best of luck to him. The Lahore rally was the most inspiring political event this nation has seen in a long time.
@khurram kaleem: u are sleeping long..
we all family is a big supporter of PTI ...
PTI is a our last hope.
The big difference from 1986 is that if Imran comes to power there will be real change for the masses and their well being.Their rights, responsiblities will be made clear. Democracy is give and take. It is individual responsiblity just like Islam asks us to perform in our life. No Government can fucntion properly without taxes. A shame that a country of 180 mio only 2 mio pay tax. especially our so called Leaders who have no shame. This status quo has to change. This nation is capable, its people enterrpising and hard working, theya re successful where they go around the world. They have much talent. We need honest leadership to build our country. We have all the assets we need at our disposal but honesty and determination of purpose for the benefit of our country. Now it is left to the people to decide and vote PTI to get Imran to power!
One person out of hundred in Lahore showed up and media calls it a Tsunami. With the same ratio he will declared Prime Minister with two seats in assembly.
The biggest difference between IK's and other's public meeting is that U will see in meetings of other parties poor people with chapples and torn clothes gathered by their Patwari or chaudary in vake of A free food or some money. Whereas in IK's meeting 70% was youth and rest were middle aged and most of all the educated one, the people who have some vision,the people who are not here for free food or money but by their own choice.Come forward and discuss it out with your elders in your villages and take them out of this Patwari and baradari Dilemma. Its you people who are educated enough to guide your elders who are affraid of their Baradari. May Allah be with Imran Khan and Pakistan....Ameen.
Son of soil? something new..
Pakistan has changed...Pakistanis aren't going to sleep anymore...Move ahead Imran we r with you..!!
Thank you guys for the overwhelming response to this report. I was there personally and in my opinion there were more than 100,000 people who were genuine supporters. Now the challenge will be to materialize them into voters.
Express Tribune and its team will continue to bring you the latest news on this and other local, national and international issues. Your feedback is always valuable.
It was 10,000 combined with camera tricks.
The only true leader in pakistan Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri. my advise for Imran Khan togather with Qadri and call to pakistan nation for revolution (Inqlab). wwww.facebook.com/naveed.e.inqlab
@ Tribune,
Election Commission has extended the date for voters' registration. I just spoke to the ECP office, in particular Mr Imran Ahmed. He said the press had been informed, but I dont see this notice anywhere. Kindly publish that the ECP has extended the date for registration of voters till the end of this week i.e. Friday. Please publish and encourage people to vote for an honest party this time.
Well it's a beginning.
For those who do not trust Imran Khan. Who do you trust then? The current leaders who have been around for years.
He has shown his capability, being honest, being fair, capable and unconditional (he didn't accept any deals).
I don't really care if he is establishment or not. It is height of pessimism and foolishness to think that way. If he does good for the country which any other government hasn't done so far, brings electricity, reduces poverty and corruption and massive hike in cost of living, brings justice to criminals and get rid of this "war on terror" that results in 'khud kush' blasts every day, He is our hero.
At least he is NOT PROVEN corrupt and incapable of running the country. His predecessors sure have.
Give him a chance. You have tried others so many times before and seen the results.
So much for all the support Imran enjoys amongst the youth in the cities. Everyone knows that in Pakistan it is the rural vote that counts; that vote-bank continues to be manipulated by the choudhrys, sardars, waderas, pirs... you get my drift. It'll take another 20-25 years for them to come around. But, let us not abandon hope! I would like to think that this is the beginning of a sea-change in opinion and political activism by the youth. If nothing else, yesterday's rally proved that there is a viable third option on the ballot!
@khurram kaleem: no one would force you to do so!!... thats perhaps a key difference btw PTI and other political parties.
@Ashraf P: nice 1... but only if you intended to do some comedy.
I think Imran's time has come :)
I visited no of blog site today, majority of reader/user support IK may be 80-90 % or more, please start your struggle to support him in every manner and finally must vote him, espacially for khi, Lhr people.
Those who were comparing this with Bhutto Arrival Must remember the Fact that BB has the sympathy of peoples on extra judicial killing of ZAB. While, PTI has other stance and they are not relying on any sympathies, they have agenda and policies on the table and they fact is that CHANGE HAS ARRIVED.
@khurram kaleem: its your problem. by the way if one tries to please every one he wont be able to please anyone.
@ali: One should then differentiate between anti-american and anti-pentagon-war-hysteria!
The picture shown of the venue is around the 1 pm time.Show a picture at 6 pm and then gauge the truth. The naysayers will be disaapointed
Being anti american IS a requirement for being patriotic! You have to HATE your enemy to be the son of the soil!! Most people support him because he is anti american
The phenomenal gathering has no doubt exceeded the threshold and achieved the critical mass!!!!!
This is the arrival of “Bahar-e-Pakistan!”
The report is titled "Intelligence agencies at PTI rally fight over turn out" and it quotes two intelligence personnel. Doesn't sound like a fight to me. A misleading title.
i am a fan of IK, but the thing that disappointed me was that he gave ultimatum on the basis of assets deceleration, why didn't he give ultimatum or threat on the basis of steel mills, pia, railways, electricity, judiciary...and specially about MQM.....
@Noon Meem: Not anti-Americanism but pro-Pakistan stance is what makes him distint and dignified.!
"Son of the soil"- wowwwwwww since when "establishment" stands for "soil"?
It's WRONG to brand IK as anti-American. Yes, he is honest and son of the soil.
Very interesting story Taha Siddiqui
He meant he got his stakes and assets declared here
CM Secretariat and other agencies are not willing to accept that Imran Khan could have gathered such a huge number of people, who are all out for a change in the system!!
it is good that people r involving in political process but Mr abdul, if u send any link of international media( other than Britain) it will strengthen ur point of view. regarding involvement of youth, i must add that in movements it is always youth who give it a different colour. it always happens in pakistan, not only in PPP or in PML nawaz at national level but also in ANP, Baloch nationalist parties , even in religious pol parties youth remains the basic force. so it is not as unique phenomenon as it is being portrayed in media. if PTI becomes a vibrant political party with B and c leaderships it will add in democratic process in Pakistan but one should analyze things factually. still PTI needs a long road in this way and for PTI and Imran Khan, as i wrote earlier it is a success.
Going by the pictures of the rally published yesterday, it would be an exaggeration to put the numbers at 20,000. MQM's rally was at least 3 times bigger. I am no fan of the MQM but let the truth be told.
I was a part of 1986 Benazir rally as a young college student in Lahore & yesterday have watched the live telecast while sitting in my home in UAE. Strangely enough, many commonalities in these two rallies thread me together with those times. I am reminded of 1986 feelings of overwhelming dissatisfaction with the long drawn repressive dictatorial rule, a biting helplessness & curious wish for some change, the redeemer-like figure of young Ms Bhutto. Our hearts filled with exuberance hoped for a change & the change did came in 1988 when Benazir came into power. In my mid 40’s, often my post-working hours evenings are marred by depression caused by overall worsening conditions in Pakistan & our image as Pakistanis.
Yesterdays, watching the euphoric feelings, exuberant faces of the young participants, after long time, I looked at my 8 years twin boys with a message of hope in my eyes for them,” Change will Come my sons, you will be safe in your own country, the wind of change has started. After long, I had a sleep with unconscious part of my mind re-assured that my little children will be having a SAFE PAKISTAN in Safe hands………..Like millions of Pakistanis, my heart is also filled once again with hope for a Change….. We hoped in 1986 for a change & change did came. Now again,we hope for a change & change will come. God bless you PTI & Mr. Khan.
@ Ali -
How come Anti-American is a qualifying point for being "son of the soil"?
Anyway! it was a huge show to the people who like status quo!
Time for change now.
Even our people in power should stop their ego war & realize that if we don't reform our actions & policies, it is everybody's next generation which will suffer.
I suppose everybody loves their kids & grandkids!
Its amazing, definitely a dent to mainstream political parties.
Its all about the change.......that we need!!!!!! its not the matter how many ppl were there its all about how many ppl are going to vote Imran Khan n i m dam sour that their numbers r in millionsssssssssssss
@aamir riaz:
I dont think anything needs to eb said about Britain. They effectively report to the Americans.
Brother Amir i think u shod get ur facts right. There were independent media personell from international channels who also claimed that it was a biggest gathering since 1986 that Lahore has ever seen. They say that the head count was around 200,000. All the roads were jam packed around the park. The picture shown above must be taken around 12 o clock. Coz when i went there at 5, i codnt find an empty space in the park. All the roads were jam packed. I had to park my car 5 Km away and walk from there. And the good thing was the zeal shown by the crowd. There were young, old and children from both genders. There were poor, middle and elite class ppl. All those who never bothered to come to a political rally were out there. The show was a massive success and the ppl greeted the PTI leader with warmth. I wasnt a PTI supporter since yesterday, but after seeing what they had put on yesterday, I am all theres.
Imran Khan: Anti-american, Extremely Patriotic, Strong Islamic values, No ethnic bias, honest and non-corrupt, SON OF THE SOIL!!!
whatever the numbers, it was a successful show.
Peoples Tsunami is here. There is not stopping to it now
Actions speak louder than words. If PTI rally was the largest public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan since former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s arrival in Pakistan in 1986, the power of this rally speaks for itself.