Cyberspace – new battleground for political parties
Political parties are all set to contest the next parliamentary election on the airwaves and in cyberspace.
Parties such as Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are using social media and web portals to attract urban and young voters between the ages of 18 and 25 who form more than 60 per cent of Pakistan’s population and are likely to influence the outcome of the future election.
Though the date for next election has not been announced yet, cyber warfare among major contenders has already begun.
More than 30 volunteers work round-the-clock to keep the PTI afloat on the waves. The official website gets more than 100,000 hits daily from across the country and abroad. Its ongoing membership campaign conducted through SMS, web and manual forms boasts of more than a million members to date. PTI’s official Facebook page ‘Imran the next prime minister’ has 500,000 members while PTI’s official party page has 400,000 members so far.
“The traffic on our portals is so huge that sometimes even we can’t keep pace with it,” said Imran Ghazali, head of PTI’s social media.
PTI’s archrival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also launched an attractive website with a lot of ‘razzmatazz’ to woo young voters. The Sharif brothers are shown in glittering backgrounds addressing public meetings.
“Currently, the website gets around 1,200 hits per day,” said Asim Khan, Media Coordinator for the PML-N. “To tell you the truth, we were not as receptive to the idea of cyber warfare but the PTI has compelled other parties to go online,” Khan said. “To get into the world of blogs, we are working on a new website pmln.tv,” he added.
Even Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) is maintaining an impressive web portal that is visited by 3,000 people from across the country and abroad.
The JI is also running a Facebook page that has 40,000 users while a separate Facebook page for Amir Munawar Hasan has 23,000 users.
“We launched this website in 1996 but we revamped it three years ago,” said Shamsuddin, the party’s IT head. “I strongly believe that cyber space and social media will have a huge impact on the next general elections,” Shamsuddin said.
For the PPP, it seems web and social media are far less important. The PPP runs an official website which is not interactive and the party has no official presence on Facebook either.
Its official website “used to get 10,000 hits when the party was in opposition,” according to website manager Amjad Akhlaq.
Prominent blogger and columnist Raza Rumi feels that though social media and the web have taken the lead in communication, in a society like Pakistan, it will not be able to ‘make or break’ anything. “The use of the web and social media has increased tremendously but it is unlikely to affect voting patterns in the next elections,” Rumi said.
Blogger, columnist and anchor Javed Chaudhry disagrees. “The line dividing rural and urban people is fading fast as villages too now have access to the internet and TV. I think the impact of social media and the web will play a pivotal role in the next elections,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2012.
COMMENTS (22)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
This is the example of a mindset who really do not want any party who donot base from punjab to be discussed even though MQM has set an excellent example to bring those individuals who have talent and wants to sacrifice for the batterment of our nation Dr. Farooq Sattar Mayor Mustafa Kamal are few pearls but we can find thousands of MQM worker who are motivated to do somthing for pakistan but 65% populated province are extremely power ful they do not wants that to happen they know the fact if they allow MQM to work they there will be no room for them to remain in power they understand PTI will not have that potential to dent them but previously test political party MQM have all tools so they dont even wants to discuss any thing in refrence to MQM
There is no match with MQM through out all the political parties of Pakistan. MQM is the only political party of 98% hapless people of our dear country. Pakistan. MQM thousands time better than PTI all political parties of Pakistan & Leaders…
MQM like, always shows the guidance to rest of the parties.Belive it or not they are the real descendant of genius and country makers......
MQM doesn't believe in controling people instead they believe in Empowering people, you people have to decide what do you want whether to control people and stick to the British India system of Master and slaves or a true independent people empowerment system.
I think the only person who truly deserve to be the next prime minister is Syed Mustafa Kamal if you look at his work overall, his personality, his presentation, his in depth knowledge & his honesty.
PTI follows and inspire MQM in number of ways like actively participating in Cyber World. The difference between MQM and PTI is "PTI is a family business" and MQM is a genuine voice of poor , middle class, skilled , educated and talented people across Pakistan and around the world with strong admire and trust on leader ship and philosophy of Founder of MQM and marching towards the formation of dynamic , vibrant , modern , educated and skilled society based on merit and providing opportunities to all corners of society.
Mr. Rizwan , please research before draining the brain. Society is generally missing the attitude and approach of finding facts and writing facts, so you did.
MQM was the very first political party in Pakistan who used technology in Politics, In 1988 MQM announced Election results through computer. MQM website was launched in 1990's. MQM has biggest social networking team across the world. I think may be Mohammad Rizwan does not know the history of MQM to wants to avoid MQM purposely. MQM has large number of presense on social networking. Please have a look just MQM Media center, they will get the answers and they will try to avoid any comparison with MQM. Its a good sign other parties following the footstep of MQM.
Pity on the writer, who didn't have single information about thee IT structure of MQM. MQM the only political party using modern technology since 80s election for keeping the data of voters and candidates and after that MQM has used each and every modern equipment to spread the message of the party. Currently thousands of users are their on social media and MQM has social media camp in everry jalsa available. Next time when you write about social media contact any single supporter or MQM!
I think, this very article on Cyberspace battleground gives an overview of those political parties who followed MQM in using technology and there is no doubt that some parties are following it religiously.
Based on the philosophy of Realism & Practicalism, Grass Root Activism and Digital Activism are combined for Political Activism......... only in MQM.
MQM are the pioneers in using technology; whether it is pager, cell phone, internet web site, live telephone or video conferencing.
is it your ignorance about MQM or hatred........ MQM is the political party that has always been pioneer bringing latest technology whether it is pager, cell phone or internet....... Wake up people......... DO ACCEPT THE MQM........your comments wont change the reality.....
MQM are the pioneers of online political activism. Ignoring their innovative ideas and their tremendous following on the ground as well as the cyber presence, raises serious question on the impartiality of the author. PTI and the rest have a long way to even achieve even a percent of what MQM has already achieved long before it became known as a medium of communication to the rest of the political parties.
What crap?? MQM has long been active on media, and social forums. This intended ignorance on MQM's strong share in the Cyberspace is organized gossip!!
really??? you have completely ignored MQM, who started the online presence trend in 2006/2007 - PTI is only a follower.
I think There would be a limit as far as the social media campaigns are concern. at some stage there would be saturation for every party and its presence and performance on the grounds would have the final Output.although in Karachi / Lahore Social media has lot more potential to affect voting pattern.
PTI is trying to step into real word from cyberworld while its other way round for other parties.
this is the big achievment of PTI to let play its opponent on´its own pitch.
PTI is progressive in its approach and vision. Youth will eventually get the message right. @ SAJ it is true that PTI has set many trends and third party has created necessary competitive environment.
PTI has always been a trend setter..
First time presence of political parties on Social Media
Interactive marketign strategies (Using Telephone to invite people to public speeches)
Entertaining Jalsas
Online membership through SMS
Party members will choose their leader for up coming elections.
First party to talk about Youth, and condemn Drone Attacks
Good Going!!
PTI all the way...Its ironic that those who used to mock us by calling a fb party are now desperately trying to do the same but in vain..Who can match IK's charisma and the love millions have for me...Sorry Nawaz and Shahbaz u are no way near the great IK
great! PTI is the real progressive party. It is centrist, the idea which pakistan is desperately in need today.