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The votes have been counted, the results are in — but have the protagonists learned anything?
Elevating politics to a gladiatorial contest has many downsides and the extraordinarily intense, often hyperbolic campaigns in Lahore demonstrated the problem with the direction that national politics has taken.
Sadly, the PTI remains the chief culprit, and it is with that party’s leadership that the story must begin. For years now, the PTI’s politics of agitation have held the country virtually hostage. The historic Lahore rally that brought hundreds of thousands of residents out on the streets and caused a political earthquake occurred four years ago this month.
Ever since, the PTI has relentlessly pursued its confrontational, aggressive brand of politics. For its efforts, the PTI has won a great deal of support and established itself as the second-largest political party in the country. But the party appears to have hit a wall, both in terms of ideas and public support.
Also read: PML-N, PTI in introspective mood after close contests
Ultimately, what did the PTI achieve in Lahore? It picked up an extra provincial assembly seat, PP-147, and gave the May 2013 winner in a National Assembly constituency, NA-122, a brief scare.
Perhaps Imran Khan believes that the PTI’s best chance at success in the next general election is to keep the political waters churning at all costs until then. But it does not appear to be working.
The PTI does not seem to be getting any closer to its goal of overthrowing the PML-N from its dominant position in Punjab. That is likely because the party has increasingly become a caricature of its original self.
When the PTI suffers repeated electoral losses, it is because the democratic process is flawed and corrupt; all opponents of the PTI are either corrupt or anti-Pakistan; only the PTI represents all that is good and true about politics and politicians. The PTI’s brand of politics has become self-indulgent and pitiful. The voting public does not appear to be impressed.
However, neither is the voting public as impressed with the PML-N as the party would like the country to believe.
Despite having mobilised federal ministers and family members, the duo of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif were unable to score the convincing victory in Lahore that they so clearly craved.
Given the relentless negativity of the PTI and the allegedly pro-people, delivery-focused governments of the PML-N at the centre and in Punjab, the PML-N should have comfortably won both the Lahore by-elections and the one in Okara too.
The PML-N leadership’s obsession with the PTI appears to have blinded its leadership to problems in both substance and message when it comes to the PML-N’s governance record. The public appears to be looking for something more than either the PTI or the PML-N is offering at the moment. Both parties would be better off listening to the public more and raging at each other less.
Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2015
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Comments (35) Closed
Oct 13, 2015 04:22am
Hope, National Assembly constituency NA-122 result will cool Imran- /Reham Khan down for next few months.
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Oct 13, 2015 05:11am
It is status quo at its best, as long as PML(N) stays in power, there is no accountability, those involved in high profile cases of corruption are untouchable, foreign policy is in doldrums, in spell of listlessness where personal interests take precedence over national interests, winning in Lahore bye election by less than 4000 is being trumpted as if it is an unshakable foundation of democracy. What country needs, a grass root leadership, not a hereditory leadership. Imran K tried to jolt the masses but sadly slumber is too deep.
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Oct 13, 2015 06:48am
It is time for IK to learn from this experience and stop this nonsense of rigging. It is getting stale. IK has to focus on party organization and good governance in KP
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Oct 13, 2015 06:48am
By election in NA-122 hit the coast of Lahore like a violent wave of tsunami, but departed like notorious Nilofer storm without bringing an anticipated change on the political spectrum of Pakistan. Storm has disappeared, but has left behind books of lessons. Apparently PTI has lost the battle, but in actualities it has won laurels because challenging PM-N in a constituency in Lahore which is castle of her political chessboard and the party which is ruling centre and Punjab simultaneously is itself a massive wonder from PTI. Protagonist of PTI should be satisfactory. In Pakistan it's understood that ruling guns become heavyweight champions in by elections but PTI has fetched a marvel at the eleventh hour in attracting floating voter. PTI still need to learn election contesting stratagem of underdeveloped countries in which PPP and PML have PH. Ds. Election result of NA-122 is not favourable for PML-N despite win, nevertheless it's quiet clear that PML-N still has deep roots in Punjab
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Oct 13, 2015 08:22am
Sane elements in PTI should convince IK to come out of confrontational syndrome and accept results gracefully, and begin to play a constructive and positive role in national politics.
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Oct 13, 2015 08:54am
Excellent and balanced editorial Dawn,keep it up. Now both parties,specially PTI should pay attention to the problems in centre and KPK.
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Oct 13, 2015 09:07am
Great editorial - the most honest analysis of PTI's mindset. IK, please spare us of your agitational politics. The nation is tired, exhausted, bruised. For God's sake move on and start doing your politics inside the Parliament. Go to the House, come up with new bills for reforms and then put pressure on the government to accept them. If you bring new bills re corruption, electoral reforms or other real national issues, and then build hype around them the way you do it around non-issues, it will be incredibly difficult (almost impossible) for the government to ignore or side step them. Find new allies within opposition and try to deseat Khursheed Shah from the position of Leader of the Opposition, replacing him with SMQ. That will give your party a powerful voice in choosing the chairman of Nadra or caretaker governments etc. it's time to start justifying the perks and privileges you have been receiving as MNAs for past three years.
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Oct 13, 2015 09:18am
Whatever reforms that have taken place and will further continue in the electoral process, the credit will solely go to the PTI and Imran Khan. Instead of only looking at the whole movement so negatively, kindly consider the boons of Khan's struggle for rapid reforms in the political system of Pakistan.
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Oct 13, 2015 09:32am
Spot on!
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Oct 13, 2015 09:42am
Couldn't agree more!
Now, let 2018 elections come, PML-N & PTI can then showcase their performance in Federal/Punjab and KPK and ask for votes against performance. So much for the rhetoric!
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Oct 13, 2015 09:42am
The lesson for both PTI and PMLN is that...You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
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Oct 13, 2015 09:53am
Mr. Khan should read this editorial and judge himself accordingly. This article truly shows what a common man is thinking about him.
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Oct 13, 2015 10:19am
Don't agree with the writer
The aggressive politics keeps the politicians in grip of people. During NA-122 campaign, all the government were on streets, promising the betterment of the constituencies and giving them the hope.
This is real politics.
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Oct 13, 2015 10:23am
it's not an easy fight against a 3 decade corrupt election process. You got to keep pushing till they get it right. Yes they may have done better than before but only because Khan was up to their neck. To get it right all over Pakistan without army being called in everytime, Khan and other not-corrupt leaders need to go "crazy" to get things right in electoral process - and Imran Khan is trying exactly that. Keep going IK.
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Oct 13, 2015 10:37am
The Editorial is a well crafted evaluation of the political scene.Mr
I. K has seen the top .Any more of the negative criticism can only
harm the PTI .You are also right to caution the P. M. L. N. They have not secured a convincing win. Family powered politics is
only producing more resentment . Well done ,Sir .
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Oct 13, 2015 10:47am
Look who's talking - dont praise PML-N !!
What kind of a party/platform this is - if a person is going to de-seat under rigging conviction then he is going to get his ticket again from the same party and coming to the frontline runner in election campaign - is this a joke?
I wont blame only PML-N for this but PAKISTANI system as well.
And ill give first place to the region people - how could some one vote again same guy who is totally responsible for betraying his own people in last election?
I just dont understand that?
And those who are saying IK gave a stalled position to the PAkistan's economy in last months while giving Dharnas - why they dont ask themselves, what about last 5 years government turnover? IK dharnas wasnt there?
Atleast he is the only one who should be left alone if not appreciated for what he did for the electoral system of Pakistan.
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Oct 13, 2015 10:52am
@Qureshi IK has played the role of real opposition and has tried to expose the weaknesses of government.In my opinion it is the hawks minister of ruling party which has spoil the environment by speaking foul against IK.The loss of MPA seat is a blow for PMLN.
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Oct 13, 2015 11:12am
In fact this was the most frustating election.Leaders of parties used almost abusive language. Mr. Pervaiz Rasheed was at his worst and so some of PTI leaders. Money was wasted on banners etc. It was just a by election and both these two parties made a election of prestige. The worst aspect of this election was complete failure of PPP. All their leaders should resign and let new faces under Bilawal must come forward.
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Oct 13, 2015 11:40am
Country a hostage to PTI? Well we are hostage to most incompetent and callous set of politicians starting with the party in government. If IK would not have been there, what would this government would have achieved? Zilch is the answer.
Forget about corruption, Richard Branson once said 'if someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you are not sure you can do it, say yes - then learn how to do it later on'. Have we seen the PML-N or PPP in incumbency trying to learn how to govern the country?
Has there been an iota of improvement in the country in last 8 years? Blame Army, MQM, PTI and all other banned parties for our ills as much as you want, but didn't these politicians came into power to learn and improve? What has been there achievement? Lahore Metro, Lahore Orange Lines, Lahore, Lahore and more of Lahore! Was Lahore the country they were elected to rule?
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Oct 13, 2015 01:30pm
PMLN loss 2 seat & had a narrow escape in NA-122.PMLN have to think....?
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Oct 13, 2015 01:43pm
If we combine NA-122 and PP-147 votes then we would know that PTI got more votes than PML-N in Lahore. I think PTI is on the rise in Lahore and PML-N with all its use of government machinery and tax payer's money is still going down due to its bad governance. Remember all three seats contested on Oct 11th belonged to PML-N and they lost 2 out of 3 seats. And 2400 votes margin is nothing considering its a by-election.
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Oct 13, 2015 01:53pm
Although the writer has said very rightly that the PTI's politics of agitation has held country hostage for many years, but because of the very politics, the general public came to know about the electoral flaws and rigging practices. Hence, to say that such politics completely had a negative impact on the country's socio-political spectrum will be injustice with the justice itself. Now, at least with PIT's politics a process of electoral has begun in the country which will definitely strengthen the country's institutional systems. in NA-122, PTI really gave a tough time to PML'N given that the said constituency is the latter's stronghold ever since the birth of PML'N.
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Oct 13, 2015 02:48pm
If PMLN was serving the public in a proper democratic way, the public wouldn't give IK space to agitate. PPP and PMLN are known for failing to delivering with mass corruption, and this is exactly why the middle class is speaking up and supporting PTI.
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Oct 13, 2015 03:42pm
By winning with such a narrow margin is not a good news for PMLN. The writing on the wall is clear for those who can read it - that PMLN is fast conceding political ground to PTI. The reason for the impressive showing of PTI in this election is obvious - PTI is making serious efforts towards strengthening institutions in KP while PMLN has no interest or inclination of doing the same. PMLN is trying to win over masses by spending money on mega projects which also provide avenues for the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats to enrich themselves but does not alleviate the every day problems faced by common man. People are getting wiser. They know the difference.
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Oct 13, 2015 04:28pm
IK should not hesitate in bringing new faces from grass root level. He should stop depending on the old faces which people are rejecting. IK stands for change and he should keep that intact.
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Oct 13, 2015 05:14pm
The politics of agitation/allegation/accusation can only get you so far - and IK has definitely raised expectations.
However, IK and PTI now need to go back to their barracks and plot a proper strategy for 2018.
They have time to cleanse the party, re-organise it properly, and use the next couple of years to really home in to the masses why PTI is better than the rest.
Otherwise, the danger is that PTI will run out of steam, and people will become totally dis-interested.
The 'corruption' campaign can only work if you have clean members in your party, and that is precisely why the public hasn't ditched the other parties yet, because there are enough corrupts in senior positions within PTI - so the corruption message is just not viable in the long term to win voters over.
Win voters over with the real things that matter to them, and you can then tackle corruption once in office.
Best time to start planning for the 2018 election was May 2013 - 2.5 years have already been wasted.
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Oct 13, 2015 06:05pm
The son also rises.The politics of the subcontinent centers on families.From Nehru to Mujib,Sharif to Begum Zia and the Bhutto.Here Charisma works instead of party or organistaion even in Jamaate Islami.Dawn earlier reported (by Azhar Mahood,Oct,12,2015)..."to the worst fears of the chief minister’s son Hamza Shahbaz who had opposed granting Mr Lateef party ticket because of his ‘unpopularity’ among party activists"...a common man does not need to go more. The fight was close.Lahoris skillfully voted a personality of power and the PTI.The subcontinent leaders may try to reintroduce monarchy.Ruling family members are flocking together with so much that we can submit before them with Nazar and saying loudly Jehapana, Jillesubhani...Who cares commoners or majority's?'
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Oct 13, 2015 06:26pm
@Kazim Reza
Please explain what you are saying.
I am totally lost reading your comment.
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Oct 13, 2015 06:35pm
@M. A. Naveed Choudhry Sadly, IK does not know the meaning of the word "grace."
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Oct 13, 2015 07:09pm
We have seen two political policies at work recently - policy of reconciliation (PPP/ PMLN) and policy of confrontation (PTI/PMLN). Failure of reconciliation policy has been seen by us all-PPP has gone extinct beside bringing bad name to the politics itself (muk mukaa). Confrontation is the only other alternative - logical and natural alternative. The two parties which have different ideologies have naturally to compete with other, call it confrontation or whatever.
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Oct 13, 2015 08:35pm
Hope Imran Bhai read this article and do not get Mad learn learn learn Let Nawaz complete his Term
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Oct 14, 2015 02:22am
I've seen at least two articles on Dawn where the writer asks a thought provoking question, then goes on to taking PTI to the cleaners. I mean come on, whatever happened to objectivity. Undoubtedly PTI as a party is riddled with flaws but PMLN isn't a party of saints either. Please be balanced.
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Oct 14, 2015 09:58am
@Tanweer Khan
The political parties mostly in the subcontinent dominated by the top leaders and his kin or heir, a family member.Unfortunately major democratic parties don't follow the democratic norms to run those.
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Oct 14, 2015 11:14am
The best advice one can give to PTI with utmost sincerity.
IK can be the best leader if he just simply get out of "immaturity".
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Oct 14, 2015 09:39pm
We need to keep in mind why Javed Hashmi left the party, and he accused the PTI leadership of links to establishment. This must be investigated to make IK come to his senses, otherwise he will continue to agitate and will hurt Pakistan. IK must be told that this not a cricket team of some few players with whom he is interacting, his style of "my way" is not going to work. I am sure his popularity is plummeting, but he doesn't understand.
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