The Beginning of New Era of Political Radicalisation and the Involvement of Youth
By Anmol Sheraz
The dismissal of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan in a constitutional process of No-Confidence motion has created uncertain paths for politics, while his supporters or devotees have set the streets throughout the country in protest with the dawn of a new era of political radicalism involving the youth. Society has got divided into so many narratives and discourses in this post-truth era, where internal security affairs of the country were also brought to the front.
Once again Chairman, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Imran Khan, has brought the public specifically the youngsters on the road into his infamous political rallies but this time campaigning for re-election. The darker side is leading the people towards a political cult, where anything he says or does is appreciated and accepted by his supporters blindly. The harsh reality is that most people have lost hope in his disillusion utopia of Riyasat-e-Madina. But fascinated with his youthful aura and colourful blended rallies in the name of change referring to Naya Pakistan has charmed the youngsters. Although, the country is going through some serious socio-political and inflated economic conditions. The enchanting slogans have engrossed the aspiring yet oblivious youth throughout his political campaigns.
Exposing the youth to melodramatic sloganeering without any insight into the geo-strategic, geo-economic and geopolitical dynamics is an otherwise lethal mistake. This kind of fascist politics does not exist anywhere in the global political arena but has proved itself ignorant of geopolitical certainties, assuming an ideal political environment that does not exist globally. Whereas Imran Khan’s immature mantra on American conspiracy has not only tensed Pakistan’s foreign policy but has also escalated internal security sensitivities. The PTI followers are supporting Khan like a religious cult that completely closes its eye toward right or wrong, which is worrisome.
Amid his address with his supporters, he also blatantly accused security institutions, upon which the Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG-ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar rubbished Imran Khan’s allegations and inclined more towards democracy with the inclusion of the Armed forces to remain apolitical and democratic towards the country. Moreover, DG ISPR urged the public towards using sober and mature language towards Armed Forces and not to drag Pakistan Army into false allegations.
Knowing that all the tactics towards saving his regime have failed, PTI has now returned to creating chaos and street power shows which is fuelling unrest and violence. Politics is always a game of mature and sober people. The politically radicalised cult of youth needs to be calmed. The PTI supporters also need to accept the freedom of opinion other than theirs and a practical approach toward a better country needs to be restored. No country had ever developed through key-board warriors and fancy political rallies but rather from a strategically practical proposition towards governance. PTI is moving in the direction of becoming a mere pressure group instead of a political party which is more evident in wrongly enticing the youth with the odds by using clumsily national politics of Pakistan.
