Surveys on political parties of Pakistan

yazdi · January 28, 2013, 6:40am

Re: IRI survey on political parties of Pakistan

I dont see any confused stances at all. I agree that PTI is weak in popularity, but it can be easily attributed to the change in the media’s approach towards the party. Till last year, the media was relatively free, and all parties were getting equal exposure. Since then, a major chunk of media has been bought out by the ruling parties in center and Punjab, and PTI has been pushed out of the limelight. The only decent exposure PTI is getting these days is either online, on in overseas media.

PTI has presented enough policies regarding regional issues. All of them have been regarded as valid and reasonable and fair by independent media. As far as alliances go, why would PTI make an alliance with a status quo party and shoot itself in the foot? If PTI were to make an alliance with PPP or PML-N, supporters would rush out the door faster than a speeding bullet. If all Imran wanted was to become the PM, then he had a chance back in 1999, when Musharraf offered it to him.

I feel that if PTI cannot win the elections outright, it would serve the country better to sit in the opposition, than be a part of the same old corrupt system.

I disagree with you. If anyone is to be blamed for this dismal popularity performance.. it’s the party itself. Party is being led by “Confused Khan”.. who boycotted all the bye-elections in spite of totally different suggestions from other party leaders. In addition to this party is being run on personal likings and disliking of “Confused Khan” where other party members are treated very badly.. and resultantly the party has not been able to create a dynamic regional organization. Chamchas of “Confused Khan” are promoted on regional levels instead of people who have deep roots amongst the people of the region. Most of the time these chamchas are engaged in leg pulling of each other instead of reaching out to the regional population. I’ll give you the example of MQM.. on public perception level they do not stand very high in Karachi. But they have around 5,000 sector offices in Karachi. If any one of the resident of the area has an issue.. they contact MQM sector office, and these offices facilitate people to get their issues resolved.

PMLN popularity in Punjab has surged a lot because people in general think they are more pro active and solution oriented. There is no doubt that PMLN has promoted relatively cleaner people in the recent past who reach out to the constituency people. People like Saad Rafiq, Sardar Ayaz, Khurram Dastagir, Khawaja Asif are reachable for the constituents, and are sincerely working towards grass root level issues. They are generally perceived to be less corrupt people.. and have day to day contact with constituents. While on the other hand no one knows who is the constituency leader of PTI. In every constituency there are 10 claimants.. and mostly these people have bad reputation in the area.

Lack of clear stance on any issue is another matter which has contributed to this doom day scenario. All in all.. if someone has to be blamed.. it has to be “Confused Khan” and PTI..

P.S. I have been pointing towards these issues for more than one year.. when PTI got a big opportunity after October gathering in Lahore. They have miserably failed to capitalize on this opportunity. Now their electoral fate has come as a reality fact on their faces..