Pakistan is getting ready for elections on February 8. According to reports, the PML-N, led by former PM Nawaz Sharif, is likely to secure a majority or be the biggest party in the national polls. This is expected due to support from the “establishment,” a term used for the Pakistan army, which traditionally holds significant influence over the selection of the country’s PM. After the last general elections, it was widely believed that Imran Khan became PM with the backing of the “establishment.” However, the same “establishment” has now turned against Khan. Just before the elections, the former PM received three separate prison sentences. He is already disqualified from contesting elections, and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is barred from using its ‘bat’ symbol for elections.
Though it may seem like the 71-year-old’s political career is over, Khan, known as “Prisoner No 804,” is not giving up. His party, PTI, is using technology, social media, and new candidates to rally his millions of supporters and defy the military-backed government. One of the key tactics being employed is artificial intelligence (AI) voice generation, which is used to create Khan’s speeches from notes smuggled out of prison by his lawyers. These speeches are then displayed on large screens at public rallies or streamed online, creating the illusion that Khan is addressing his followers from his jail cell. PTI claims that this is the first time AI voice generation is being used for political purposes in Pakistan.
Another important strategy is the use of social media, especially TikTok, a popular video-sharing app. Khan has over 10 million followers on TikTok and uses the platform to post short videos of himself or his party workers. PTI is also organizing virtual rallies on TikTok to engage Khan’s supporters in live sessions. The party sees this as a way to reach out to young and urban voters, who form the core of PTI’s support base.
The PTI is also fielding new candidates, many of whom are inexperienced or unknown, in the elections as a result of the government’s crackdown on its workers and supporters. The party argues that the electoral commission’s decision to revoke its cricket bat symbol has forced it to field independent candidates with different symbols. For instance, a 70-year-old woman, Rehena Dar, running for PTI in Sialkot, Punjab, has a baby’s cot as her symbol.
However, PTI faces numerous challenges in its campaign, including censorship of its materials, limited media coverage, and the influence of the powerful military, which controls key institutions and media outlets. Additionally, the party competes with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and several smaller parties.
Despite the obstacles, PTI’s main strength lies in its appeal to disillusioned and frustrated voters who are drawn to Khan’s anti-corruption and reform agenda. While there are concerns about the limitations of AI and virtual campaigning in a country like Pakistan, PTI continues to innovate to reach its supporters and challenge the status quo.
Looking ahead, the allegiance of successful independent candidates will be crucial in shaping the post-election landscape and determining the potential coalition scenarios for forming a government.
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