PHC returns PTI bat symbol, deems ECP’s seizure ‘unconstitutional.’
After being taken by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the bat symbol was given back to Imran Khan the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by the Peshawar High Court on November 26.
The supreme court declared this ECP act to be “unconstitutional.” The PTI’s request to even have a role in the next elections in February was previously turned down by the ECP.
Imran Khan was possibly participating in his bat-run elections after the High Court denied both of its demands, which were met with harsh criticism.
Surprisingly, though, on January 3rd, the same high court that had allowed the PTI to run for office in exchange for the right to use its “bat” reinstated the ECP’s December 22nd ruling, eliminating the PTI bat symbol.
Many people disagree on whether Imran is righteous or whether the ECP and the high court are telling the truth. Nevertheless, it’s important to understand how Imran Khan’s entire political movement and the causes it supports are represented by this symbol of the bat.
What is the true meaning of this bat? And what consequences might arise in either scenario the bat being provided or not? And why is this bat being supported by the ‘elite forces’?
Shortly after winning the 1992 ICC Championship, Imran entered politics. Imran established the PTI on April 25th, 1996. The young people were drawn to him by his victory in the cricket championship since they had not felt the thrill of lifting that trophy since Pakistan’s ICC debut in 1952.
My granddad supposedly had a meeting with Imran. He says that Imran expressed brilliant and well-reasoned political views, criticizing the ruling class, the predicament facing political parties at the time, and his desire for revolutionary change.
A Political Journey of Contradictions and Aspirations with PTI’s Emergence
In defiance of his own declaration, Imran founded PTI, which could be evidence of the increasing backing from the younger generation that motivated him to pragmatistically lead a political organization.
His street demonstrations were based on a revolution, or more accurately, a manifesto for change. With his captivating demeanor and the ‘transformation’ storylines, he became an incredible political figure.
Furthermore, the public found Imran’s humanitarian image highly commendable when he founded the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer facility and Research, a large-scale free government facility that past regimes were unable to construct or, at the very least, failed to emphasize.
Even though Imran did not gain a seat in the elections held the year after the PTI was formed, his party was nonetheless making progress, albeit not quickly.
After gradually acclimating to the smaller space left by departing parties, PTI rose to prominence in politics and was elected to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial government in 2013.
Except for the fact that most of them were young people, Imran had attracted supporters and observers of all ages, races, and traditions for the 2013 General Elections. His ‘tabdeli’ (revolution) supporters gathered steam gradually and amicably, albeit the latter point is questionable.
Polls conducted in 2013 for the General Election indicated that Imran would be the nation’s most well-liked leader. He blamed electoral tampering for his defeat, notwithstanding. In 2018, the Supreme Court upheld his claims, which ultimately contributed to his election victory.
Catalyst for Imran Khan’s Political Ascendancy in Pakistan
It is important to remember that, as of 2010, 62.19% of the population was made up of youngsters, according to official national statistics. And it is 64% at the moment. Therefore, there was a direct correlation between Imran’s popularity and Pakistan’s growing youth population.
For other parties whose “aged-ness” and old narratives just fragmented in the psyche of the older population, this disparity produced an astounding situation; thus, those outdated narratives did not do honor to the energetic, emotionally-driven, sport-interested youth. PTI ascended to extraordinary heights after escaping the grasp of multiple parties.
Imran’s victory in the 2018 elections is partially due to the establishment, as evidenced by this, but his unwavering politics of change, efforts to rid the nation of corruption in business, and opposition to the elite all contributed to his notoriety and elevated him to the status of one of the most well-liked leaders.
The Prime Minister Youth Program is one of the measures that Nawaz Sharif’s administration took to strengthen its popularity among young people, although it did not get the widespread political support that was anticipated.
However, as I previously questioned, throughout Imran Khan’s whole political campaign, there were numerous lengthy marches, boisterous gatherings around the party name, and cheers.
What was the role of the ‘bat’?
The PTI bat appears to be a political symbol and plays a significant role in Imran’s political strategy. As previously stated, the World Cup victory was a revolution unto itself. Following forty years of Pakistan playing international cricket, it was a revolution.
The delight of witnessing a fellow Pakistani lift the glittering trophy has been denied to the country’s youth. Over half of Pakistan’s population is a cricket enthusiast, according to research by Gallup Pakistan and the Gilani Research Foundation.
In addition to satisfying the dreams of a cricket-loving country, Imran and his captaincy instigated a “cricket revolution” in Pakistan.
The symbol of the bat gives the young people of Pakistan the assurance that, just as they were content after a protracted period of losing the cricket match, once the Kaptaan is raised in the future, a similar revolution would take place, indicating a new era.
Emotional bonding is an additional factor. As Wasim Akram puts it, “they were almost losing the game” when it seemed quite impossible winning the World Cup against Australia during a crisis speaks to the fact that, in any case, the power of youth will completely change the dynamics of the nation.
The same feeling that propels the GDP shot into Khan’s bat also propels the shot through the bat. Achieving emotional transparency is a challenging endeavor for the nation; it implies that individuals skilled in manipulating emotions are suited to lead the country.
It is a fundamental truth that in Pakistan, it is nearly impossible to win an election in a free and fair manner without the backing of the youth. Furthermore, it is imperative to address the youth’s emotions in order to win their support.
Also read this: Peshawar High Court has Restored the “Bat” Sign for PTI
 by the Peshawar High Court on November 26.){kind=link}