I went to a PTI rally and all I got was this lousy t-shirt
This is one of the messages emblazoned across the official t-shirts of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) that are to be worn by supporters during the rally in Karachi on Sunday.
The t-shirts cost up to Rs300 and can be bought from PTI camps set up around Karachi, four of which are already up and running at Nipa Chowrangi, Teen Talwar, PIDC and at Malir Halt. The president of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF) in Karachi, Arsalan Ghumman, said 17 more are in the works.
Ghumman explains that the motive behind making these products is to promote the cause while also gathering funds for party activities. Party merchandise is very simply their way of forwarding PTI’s message of change and spreading awareness. The products are vigorously marketed online via Twitter and Facebook. The ISF also has an SMS service, which is sending out messages promoting PTI merchandise.
Apart from t-shirts, the party has other products such as wrist bands, mugs, badges, caps and car stickers. Every step of the merchandise production, from designing to printing, is the work of PTI supporters, explained Ghumman. “PTI supporters in Dubai and Karachi, who are professionals, have designed these products,” he said. “We are in talks with a shop at the Millennium Mall and our volunteers have also sold these products at Sunday Bazaar,” he added.
Sidrah Nadeem, who owns tie shop All Tied Up in Defence Housing Society Phase VI, told The Express Tribune that she will make PTI products available at her store. “I am helping because I like Imran Khan,” she said, clarifying that she is doing it as voluntary supporter and not a member. It is people like her who pitch in at weekly ISF meetings to give suggestions on how to spread “the message of change.”
T-shirts are a great way for the party to create a sense of uniformity and, because they will be used for some time, they help propagate the idea. As she puts it: “It’s like saying you support Imran Khan, not just at the jalsa, but throughout the year.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2011.
COMMENTS (58)
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The title reads all I got a is a lousy T-shirt. It is never about you or them or me or whoever. You must not demand what others can do for you anymore but what you can do not only for others but for the country, Free yourself of "me" and let the freedom from that liberate the close minded society. I have been supporting Imran Khan for the very reason.
I dont know y people start .......baal ki khal utarana..........where every one knows that its gonna help financially plus gives you spirit and looks Hot........
What s problem with this.
My favorite t-shirt amongst all is the one with Imran Khan portrait and 'Insaf Tiger' on the back! I hope to get this one very soon! http://www.facebook.com/RevolutionTee
All the best to my Karachite brothers for supporting PTI, we have full confidence in IK.
Many different organizations have caught on to the statement-making trend, including chain and independent stores, websites, and schools. A popular phrase on the front of T-shirts demonstrating T-shirts' popularity among tourists is the humorous phrase "I did _ and all I got was this lousy T-shirt." Examples include "My parents went to Las Vegas and all I got was this lousy T-shirt." I hope everyone would see the headline with a positive eye now.
Is it Islamic dress?
Please, dont be too quick to buy these Rs. 300 PTI T-shirts yet. I have heard from a reliable source that in light of all the rejects and lotas joining PTI, the PTI is going to change its party name and issue new T-shirts with new party logo. The new party name is: PULP : Pakistan United Lotas Party.
How tacky. Though that's not exactly a negative judgment directed against PTI. I can say with all certainty the reaction would be the same for any political organization across the entire world. It just inspires a constipated facial expression and maybe a raised eyebrow. I just hope they keep their support from the ones who buy the merchandise. Jilted supporters being armed with message enhancing mugs to throw are dangerous.
Though I'll say it probably will function as intended in regard to the stated goals such as funding. Tacky isn't the same thing as bad or useless. Just, well... Tacky.
The title is a play on a very famour tourist t-shirt, i.e. "My friend went to london and all I got was this lousy T-shirt" :)
But at least it got some anti-pti folks to click on the heading :)
@AsliShalsi: Amused watching you "TALK like that"
@AsliShalsi: Try to read the article before spewing ignorance
Imran Khan has changed the way politics campaigns used to run ...... PTI has the best team with the most innovative ideas ...... and the Greatest thing is ..... Its all Volunteer working in their domains .....
Thanks for the info. @: Raza Habib Raja And I would like to add that we need change desperately.
Title is absolutely misaligned with the story!! ..:S
Miss Leading Subject
Misleading title. I thought you were against all this campaining and were going to criticize it.
I want to call it Pakistan ka Mosam-e-Bahar. Arab spring was for Arabs. I have no affinity for any Arab country. I want to remain indigenous and an indigenous Pakistani fighting against Corrupt status quo.
Pakistan Zindabad and PTI Zindaabad
Damn Title!.. I read the whole article for no reason :(
I want to inform all readers that these are NOT official t-shirts and are being done by fans and members themselves. The PTI merchandise project is under works and will be launched properly with standardized and approved designs by the leadership.
These designs were done in view of the jalsa by members and local ISF themselves.
Good and great idea, and Inshallah the dream wil come true. We should unite to save our beloved Pakistan. Now, Imarn Khan is the only one hope for Pakistanis to unite and save the country. Lets join Imran rally on Dec.25 in Karachi. God bless Imran and Pakistan
Whether you're an Imran Khan supporter or not, you've got to give them props for their aggressive campaign! Never thought politics would be 'cool' in this country
Will the merchandise be available at the Jalsa at Mazar-e-Quaid this Sunday? I really need something out the the merchandise.
Is it available in ISB too although i just called my friend in Karachi to get me one :)
Headline is indeed a bit misleading, which is a shame.. the rest of the story has a decent flow. The headline, to me, makes it seem as if the PTI rally has already been held, and people who attended it were disappointed not to obtain anything concrete apart from a lousy, free t-shirt! At any rate, i expected a critical/negative evaluation in the story.. though the content turned out to be quite neutral.
Whats up with the title? o.O
how to get a PTI shirt??
PTI supporters should not align their esteemed movement for justice with the Zionist branded Arab spring. The Arab spring has brought no change for those Arabs who had been on the receiving end since the last four to five decades. It has failed miserably. PTI's ideology and Pakistan's political dynamics do not require any inspiration from the Arab spring as its been a dud.
Just an independent opinion.
title and context are completely opposite..!!
PTI is boring me, too much of PTI content
It's not negative at all. It's a play on a famous catchphrase used in advertising. For example "My friend went to Disneyworld and all I got was this lousy t-shirt." Disney itself manufactures such shirts to underline how a Disney T-shirt does not compare with the experience of going there. Anyway, PTI once again leading the way. @Zeeshan:
@AsliShalsi: Sir, the shirts have fixed prices. Its Rs. 300 and I dont believe that too much considering the hardwork those volunteers put in to sell these shirts. The greatest thing about all this, is strict accountability. If you had such an experience, lodge your complain at hr.isfkarachi@gmail.com or otherwise try not to malign someone with lies. Thanks
Atleast they are gathering funds transparently and not through corruption or finance from pple who would later influance the policies in Pakistan.
i was taking exam last day and missed ISF convention taking place in Awan e Iqbal, i am so disappointed for this .
Are these T-Shirts available in Lahore, any body knows please comment. ????
did u get the t-shirt free?
The title of this article is so misleading....and a negative one.
What is important to note is the sense of commitment commoners like us feel in bringing about this change, specially when financial resources are constrained. It is the collective creativity that gives birth to solutions of complex problems. It gives confidence to a nation that they can make things happen and believe me that is the most important determinant in the fate of nations!
i need this tshirt pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Imran Khan wants people of Pakistan to work for better and not to waste time. But people over here have so many issues and so much time on their hands that they can debate over a shirt and divert to other topics. O Bhai! if you support PTI just go and get a shirt, thats all!
Libya, Egypt or whatever the main point is that ITS ALL ABOUT BRINGING A REVOLUTION in general against the corrupt heads!
Come on your guys! You're so 2000-and-late! The headline has been taken from a phrase. Get a life. And a dictionary too.
@zia ur rehman: not Arab Spring... Pakistan is not part of the Arab World... it lies here in the subcontinent...
Misleading title. You never mentioned lousy t shirts in your articles.
Talk about thinking very high of self, PTI Chief Imran Khan and his supporters should get out of this state, sooner the better. Yes each shirt will cost you 1000 Rs and only those who can afford shall sport it, since Imran is hip these days all the wanabe revolutionaries want to support him. Useless.
@zia ur rehman: It's not just these people abroad who're giving ideas.. They just mentioned that they do too.. The real work ofcourse is done back home..
Movements in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt were against the characteristic authoritarian rule of Arab states and in support of democracy. While PTI is contesting elections in an existing democratic system; the slogan makes no sense
Title was misleading. Anyways, concerts, shirts, handbands etc ... PTI rallies are like being in high school. Having said that, They are doing good campaigning. Good luck.
nice T-shirt...I want one too :-)
i have to say some of the artwork and concepts are very very professional. can't wait to see what copy league does next!
I can smell the scent of change in the air. All civil society is working day and night to help PTI and Imran khan... I think we can also call this phenomena as "civilized arab spring"...:)
i like T shirt idea.Go PTI
PTI is lucky that it has it's vast supporters abroad, who helps it with these kind of fantastic ideas...