I just posted my thoughts on my blog.
PTI - Reconciling the impact, lessons learned, THE WAY FORWARD! - Blogs - GupShup Forums
Well, its been a tough few days watching the mayhem around the recent election. An election that could have drastically changed the status quo in Pakistan. The anticipation for this day was the very glimmer of hope that many frustrated and desperate citizens of Pakistan both young and old were excited about. However those who were supporting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, PTI, to put it simply saw their dreams being shattered in Karachi and in some other parts of Pakistan such as Lahore.
However as I reflect on my own frustrations as a concerned ex-patriot and ponder upon the heartbreaks of Pakistanis actually living all of this inside Pakistan, I find myself not that worried about the future of PTI, Imran Khan and the positive role that it can play in the next five years. So long as Imran Khan and PTI focus on the ground reality of actually serving the citizens, it won’t matter if they are in power or not. To bring the full potential to light let me break my thoughts into clear steps that PTI and Imran Khan should consider going forward. This will be “the way forward” for them and for Pakistan.
- Dealing with election rigging and seeking retribution:
PTI is already on the right track as far as the rigging complaint, that they are filing FIRs and cases in the Pakistan Supreme court. They need to exercise the street power however with selection and prudence. Ground agitation is beneficial only when it does not lead to blood shed. The best course is to take the ECP to court and to have the criminals prosecuted as well as seek a reconvening of elections in all disputed constituencies.
This may or may not produce the results PTI would be looking for, so it should only be a parallel focus activity.
- National Assembly 30-40 seats to perform as a viable opposition block:
I personally didn’t expect PTI to win a sweeping majority, however I would have wanted to see a 80-90 seat block for PTI in the National Assembly. All along deep inside I have considered Imran Khan sitting in opposition as a better scenario then to be in power at such a critical time in Pakistani history. Why? Because I would rather see Mr. Imran Khan and PTI to take time and understand the inner workings of Pakistani politics once he would be finally “inside” the legislative house. Had PTI won more seats tolead them to Federal control, there were in my mind many factors that could have influenced failure upon a PTI govt. The biggest one being that Pakistan right now is marred with so many socio-economic problems including an almost non-existent foreign policy, that it is almost an impossible task to win at every front.
Now, even though due to some external illegal factors and more perhaps due to a larger peoples choice, PTI can sit in the house as a decent sized opposition block. They can cast their opinions to check the PMLN coalition govt., speak for their constituencies to actually deliver a better package to the citizens albeit on a micro scale. They can safeguard their constituents as well as voice the thought of a new Pakistani vision from within the house of legislation.
- KPK province : A model for the rest of Pakistan - PTI with boots on the ground:
PTI seems to have 30+ seats according to election commission of Pakistan official results. PTI could be potentially forming a coalition government here since they have the majority seats so far. 11 seats yet to be confirmed, PTI has already contacted their natural ally JI and the Independents to form a govt. Even if they can’t form a govt. here, the potential for them to show their true potential in forming a reformist society is extremely high.
Through an concentrated effort on the provincial level PTI can develop to be a real “boots on the ground” political party. Five years can and should provide PTI the platform they need. They can show that honest hard working people can actually govern themselves and don’t necessarily need to rely on feudal landlords to rule them as if they were sheep with no intellect.
- Credibility to Mr. Imran Khan:
Imran Khan so far has impeccable credibility in the domestic arena when compared to the other political leaders of Pakistan. One fear was chances of losing or eve enduring such credibility in the event that PTI and Imran Khan had become in-charge at the Federal level. Even his personal legacy charitable ventures could have come under debate. Now faced with being an opposition block, there should be freedom for him to continue to serve with endowment and charitable projects such as Namal City etc.
His and PTI’s credibility can now slowly grow if they are strategic in how they market themselves, while he can also strengthen his credibility at the international level. Cautions candidness is what is required at the International level as well. Five could change how the outsiders perceive this party.
- Building community groups or caucuses:
This is a new term for Pakistanis. And PTI could really make it their trademark going forward.
What I believe is that PTI needs to build their ground support via actually bringing forward concrete issues that the public faces. They have an excellent opportunity during the next five years to develop support by working at the grass roots level. They can introduce PTI constituency caucuses or district level caucuses by bringing about public forums on current issues. This will provide the bridge between current elected PTI member as well as potential elected members as the voter base a.k.a citizens in need. The caucuses can flourish and spot new leadership for the 2018 elections or any bi-elections.
The action at the caucus level can prove vital towards how the people will perceive PTI, its leaders at large other than Imran Khan and how they can address, education, health, drugs, illegal weapons, mafia/thug looting or commission/bhutha culture. They can bring about change of mindset, raise peoples awareness towards “not taking it while sitting down” and helping them stand up for rights.
These several steps in my humble mind can be expanded upon and if put in place by PTI will certainly make them a stronger and vital 2nd power against PMLN in the near future.
PTI should focus on the slogan of “Your future is now” rather than “Naya Pakistan” only which sounds more of a pipe dream. They can have the people realize that their future can only be realized by acting today.
Thoughts and views welcome. Please be constructive in criticism.