Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) launched an iPhone application on January 20 to enhance its online social media presence.
PTI is the first political party in the country to have an outstanding web and social media presence. It has made political history by launching Insaf TV, Insaf Radio, Google hangouts with Imran Khan and live-streaming of political rallies. The party has now launched its official application on the Apple App Store. The application can be installed on iPhones, iPads and other iOS based devices by searching for ‘PTI Official’ or on this link insaf.pk/iPhone.
According to a press release, the application’s main page includes a voter verification link which is in line with the party’s emphasis on increasing voter engagement in the upcoming elections. Links for Insaf Radio and TV are present on the page with Imran Khan’s picture pointing towards the user asking, Ab Naheen Tou Kab, Hum Naheen Tau Kaun (If not now, when; if not us, who?).
The application’s bottom interface includes options like the party’s ideology, constitution, revolutionary policies and its leaders’ assets. The About tab contains information about the makers of the application Jibran Ilyas, Haris Siddiqui and Aly Boghani. This team has dedicated the application to Khan and PTI’s youth members. The News tab pulls in live information from the PTI website, the party’s Facebook page and blogs. The Twitter tab adds tweets from PTI’s official Twitter page, Khan’s page and the application’s official twitter page. The Actions tab presents users with the option of becoming paying members and make recurring payments to the political party. They can offer to become volunteers through this application and share it with their friends and family.
PTI has been trying to adopt Obama’s model of voter engagement. It has been collecting ‘ticket size’ donations from the Pakistani diaspora and adding links for online contribution.
PTI’s social media team discussed its future plans with The Express Tribune and said they would launch the iPhone application’s next version and a separate Android application soon.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2013.
COMMENTS (13)
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Great Job and well done Jibran Ilyas, Haris Siddiqui and Aly Boghani. ....
@Usman Some unofficial PTI Apps are available on the Google Play Store Try PTI App by Renzym https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.renzym.pti
@Ch. Allah Daad: A blind man is no judge of colours.
@Confused, PTI did not intend grass root penetration through this app. The purpose of this app is collecting donations from pakistani diaspora and it is fulfilling that. Every marketing campaign has an objective behind it.
@Ch. Allah Daad: Your comment made U look so "mature".
Criticism 1: When awam is ghareeb and no one has phones why make an app, you elitist you? A: The expression of innovative ideas might be limited in the people it engages directly but even for those who do not own an iphone realize that this is a level of thinking and work MUCH MUCH different than the present thieves and killers. Its an app people we didn't beat up a cake wala, have some mercy with your criticism :) ... I was similarly ecastatic when the Imran Khan's recorded calls went out before the Karachi jalsa and all this shows me a new thought that this country needs
Criticism 2: Oh PTI wasting time on less important things!! Ans: Its all volunteer driven, PTI was kind enough to launch it and accept it but its all the fervor and love of the youth that has made it happen
Criticism 3: What about elections? you guys are so distracted? A: While this app maybe limited in who it reaches directly, you bet that there are many many things happening in PTI that is targeting the grassroot. Right now there is an initiative where ISF youth is reaching out to villages in PTI branded vans, soon after the elections there will be so much, your eyes will water with the sheer stuff that is happening. Don't worry though critics will always find something :)
This the is first stage. In stage 2 they will have a long march to pressure the Election Commission of Pakistan to provide an interface for the app to enable the app downloaders to cast their votes.
Talk about marketing failures...how many people have iPhones in Pakistan?
Wouldn't it be better to text...actually nvm 70% cant even read 'em
@Ch. Allah Daad: The guy who recommends his own posts is suppose to be the symbol of maturity haha. Read my sig remember those days of maturity.
Thumbs up to the creative social media team of PTI. Liberals tried to discredit you by whining for abuse from PTI supporters at behest of social media team but you have proved that you don't have time to abuse them but you actually do great jobs.
It would be a good idea to add a Livestream tab for the PTI insaf livestream channel. Also, an Android ad would be much appreciated.
Would so many tools also change mentality of immature PTI supporters? I doubt it.
I downloaded the app this evening. Although, its a nice effort on PTI media team's part, there is still room for improvement.