In the run-up to Pakistan’s election on Thursday, a group of masked and headscarf-clad women, led by Komal Asghar, made their way through the alleys of Lahore. Their mission: door-to-door canvassing and distributing campaign pamphlets featuring Imran Khan, the country’s incarcerated former prime minister.
Imran Khan, who has been in prison since August, faces numerous charges that he and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claim are politically motivated. Despite the adversity, the support for Khan remains strong, with dedicated volunteers like Asghar risking it all to campaign for him.
Wearing face and hair coverings served a practical purpose for the women. It allowed them to canvass without attracting unwanted attention and potential conflict. The public perception of women as non-threatening helped create a more conducive environment for their campaigning efforts.
The PTI has adopted a two-pronged campaign strategy, combining secretive grassroots campaigning led by female teacher volunteers with cutting-edge generative AI technology. Through generative AI, the party has created video footage of Khan reading speeches from his prison cell. These speeches, conveyed to lawyers, serve as rallying cries for his supporters. Additionally, the PTI has organized online rallies on social media platforms, garnering hundreds of thousands of views.
Imran Khan’s personal popularity and the PTI’s embrace of new technology have kept them in the headlines. Despite being barred from holding political office, Khan’s influence remains significant. Although other leaders have been imprisoned during campaigns, the PTI’s use of technology sets them apart.
To maintain momentum and engage the nation’s large youth population, PTI has prioritized digital campaigning. The party aims to leverage its founder’s popularity and remind voters that it is still Khan’s party. Efforts include online rallies and an app that helps users find PTI candidates in their constituencies.
The PTI faces restrictions that may limit its ability to compete with rivals such as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. However, PTI workers and analysts believe that Khan’s dedicated supporters make it too early to dismiss the party entirely.
Although no reliable polling data is available, PTI aims to reach young voters via digital channels. With approximately half of the country’s population owning smartphones and a voting age of 18, PTI hopes to make a significant impact on the election.
In an innovative move, PTI has employed generative AI software to create video clips of Khan delivering speeches. The team behind this initiative collaborated with Khan’s lawyers to pass messages and crafted speeches based on his notes. By using audio AI only, PTI mitigates potential misuse of the technology.
However, PTI has faced challenges, including disruptions of access to social media platforms during virtual rallies. These disruptions occurred during times when the PTI was holding online jalsas (massive rallies). Although authorities claim these disruptions were unrelated to PTI’s campaign, voters struggled to access the rallies.
Regardless of the obstacles faced by PTI, Imran Khan’s party continues to resonate with a significant portion of the population, particularly the youth. The outcome of the election remains uncertain, but PTI’s innovative campaign strategies and dedicated supporters ensure that they should not be underestimated.
To learn more about Imran Khan’s groundbreaking campaign from jail, visit F5mag.com.