11 October, 2015.
Note down the date above because 3-4 years from now when analysts will ask where did it all go wrong from pmln, this date may well provide an answer.
PML (N) lost a seat from central lahore (not from any DHA, model town, gulberg, bahira town or any posh area) PP 147 while they were in government in punjab and center. This is like mqm losing from karachi or PPP losing from larkana while they are in government in province and center.
location of PP 147 in heart of lahore
In short, it is unthinkable for this to happen in pakistani politics. But it has happened - another first for PTI. It shows a number of things
a) the so called good governance of shobaz is actually just good media management. If people really believed showbaz was khadim-e-ala, pti would have had its bail forfieted. Keep in mind pmln spends 75% of all budget in lahore division.
b) a myth is broken - lahore is pmln's castle but it is slipping away fast! na 118 and na 125 could present another challenge.
c) PTI has solid vote bank in north punjab - enough to defeat pmln in lahore while being in opposition in both province and center. All those who voted pti today knew that nothing would change in their lives if pti won. So pti tsunami fizzling out is a big myth.
d) PTI workers are learning. This party was no where before 30th October 2011. in fact in 2013 elections, ctbt didnt even like to mention imran khan's name because they thought he was so unimportant. This was the first time I saw pti workers, polling agents and polling camps active on election day.
e) middle age lahore and punjab still loves nawaz sharif like sindh still loves bhutto and middle age mohajir still loves altaf. I dont know if this is a case of stockholm syndrome or what but there is no rationale behind it whatsoever. In many of the roadshows, the most common answer for voting pmln was "our elders used to vote for them" or "we always vote for them".
f) How long will this love affair last, i am not sure because clearly the new voters that register themselves now and 5 years from would be less than impressed with 6 hours of load shedding and chronic unemployment.
g) PTI must learn media management. Like today pmln losts its own 2/3 seats but in media everywhere it appears that they have won Kashmir. Media visuals have an impact specially on young voters.
h) next generation of sharif family (hamza and mariam) are flop just like bilawal. Hamza couldnt do it on his own and needed help from 5 federal ministers and countless provincial ministers. even then taya jee had to visit lahore and roam around the streets 24 hrs before election to ensure a narrow victory.
Note down the date above because 3-4 years from now when analysts will ask where did it all go wrong from pmln, this date may well provide an answer.
PML (N) lost a seat from central lahore (not from any DHA, model town, gulberg, bahira town or any posh area) PP 147 while they were in government in punjab and center. This is like mqm losing from karachi or PPP losing from larkana while they are in government in province and center.
location of PP 147 in heart of lahore
In short, it is unthinkable for this to happen in pakistani politics. But it has happened - another first for PTI. It shows a number of things
a) the so called good governance of shobaz is actually just good media management. If people really believed showbaz was khadim-e-ala, pti would have had its bail forfieted. Keep in mind pmln spends 75% of all budget in lahore division.
b) a myth is broken - lahore is pmln's castle but it is slipping away fast! na 118 and na 125 could present another challenge.
c) PTI has solid vote bank in north punjab - enough to defeat pmln in lahore while being in opposition in both province and center. All those who voted pti today knew that nothing would change in their lives if pti won. So pti tsunami fizzling out is a big myth.
d) PTI workers are learning. This party was no where before 30th October 2011. in fact in 2013 elections, ctbt didnt even like to mention imran khan's name because they thought he was so unimportant. This was the first time I saw pti workers, polling agents and polling camps active on election day.
e) middle age lahore and punjab still loves nawaz sharif like sindh still loves bhutto and middle age mohajir still loves altaf. I dont know if this is a case of stockholm syndrome or what but there is no rationale behind it whatsoever. In many of the roadshows, the most common answer for voting pmln was "our elders used to vote for them" or "we always vote for them".
f) How long will this love affair last, i am not sure because clearly the new voters that register themselves now and 5 years from would be less than impressed with 6 hours of load shedding and chronic unemployment.
g) PTI must learn media management. Like today pmln losts its own 2/3 seats but in media everywhere it appears that they have won Kashmir. Media visuals have an impact specially on young voters.
h) next generation of sharif family (hamza and mariam) are flop just like bilawal. Hamza couldnt do it on his own and needed help from 5 federal ministers and countless provincial ministers. even then taya jee had to visit lahore and roam around the streets 24 hrs before election to ensure a narrow victory.
