PTI: Winning Elections in Pakistan

Coming into power in Pakistan is a delicate exercise requiring victory in a two-front battle. Both the domestic voters of Pakistan and the national and international stake-holders in Pakistan have to be convinced. The stake-holders may not all be on friendly terms with each other but they all have to be satisfied. This means that winning more votes does not automatically mean coming into power. So here are some elements of the two-pronged strategy for securing votes and coming into power. 

Decide a Stronghold 

PPP has Sindh as its stronghold, PML has Punjab as its stronghold and Balochistan is stronghold of Baloch nationalist parties. PTI can make KPK as its stronghold (which would mean more investment and more effort in KPK) so as to get roots in one place. Winning a few provincial seats in all provinces does not mean anything. You have to be strong at least in one province. By deciding a stronghold, the party would remain rooted and ever-present in national politics. It would then concentrate ONLY on winning national assembly seats in the rest of Pakistan.

Provincial - National Assembly Seat Swaps

It is also possible to conclude agreements with other parties for a swap of provincial assembly seats against national assembly seats. Outside its stronghold, a party only needs national assembly seats. Therefore, provincial seats can be left to the local political parties in exchange for the national assembly seats. This arrangement would be beneficial for both parties. PTI can leave the provincial seats of Sindh and Balochistan to other parties in exchange for the national assembly seats from these provinces.

Know Where to Invest Your Effort

 

Trying to win in Punjab would take enormous financial resources and perhaps would not work. Instead working in KPK, Sindh, and Gilgit-Baltistan would be more beneficial in terms of return and success. Work in Gilgit-Baltistan would mean close ties with Aga Khan and his strong international network which certainly would be beneficial. Cities with universities and educated youth are also good for investment of effort. 

Strategy For Punjab 

It is possible to do alliance with the party that wins in Punjab. Or alternatively, PTI can let another party win in Punjab with which an alliance can be made. This ally party should concentrate on winning national assembly seats. For this reason, it is important not to malign other parties beforehand. Votes should be solicited not because of the hatred for other parties but for the good manifesto and good performance of one's own party. To get to the seat of Prime Minister, it is important to have friends in other major political parties too. It is always a coalition that wins wars of power. 

Target Strategic Locations

 

While deciding a political stronghold for getting rooted in one place is important, it does not mean that important cities in other provinces should be neglected. PTI should invest its efforts in strategically-important locations. Chaman, on Pakistan-Afghan border is an important city, Gilgit and Gwadar (due to CPEC), Sialkot and Faisalabad (due to its industry), Rawalpindi-Islamabad (educated women who can vote freely) etc. 

Know Pakistan's Allies 

Get in touch with the King-makers. Develop networks of friendly relations with the first-circle allies of Pakistan, that is USA, Saudi Arabia and China. These powers should be ensured that projects started by them in Pakistan with the approval of prior governments would not be hindered by PTI's government and that their investments would be protected. 

Get Approval from Pakistan's Religious Group(s) 

Pakistan's leading religious parties (or a party which is already PTI's provincial ally) should also not have major objections on PTI. This means compromises and a fine line to walk over. The reason is that these parties have their own secret networks of officers and workers who work with zeal for the agenda of their own party. It is also possible that General Zia-ul-Haq gave them certain powers. These parties themselves can't come into power but they can hinder PTI's rise to power. 

Kashmir and Siachen Issues

 

It is judicious to leave these issues at status-quo or even better, not making any statements about them at all. India's diplomatic leverage is strong and should not be turned against oneself. At the same time, the extreme-right groups of Pakistan would not tolerate any compromise on Kashmir. 

Aga Khan and Gilgit

 

Like other stake-holders in Pakistan, Aga Khan should not feel threatened by the government of PTI. He would like to see his interests protected. 

India-Pakistan Relations

 

Army would always like to have an upper hand in foreign and security affairs, especially related to India and Afghanistan. So some kind of promise or arrangement should be done that sensitive affairs would not be concluded without first consulting them. 

Jihadi Groups

 

Very careful statements have to made when it comes to Jihadi groups in Pakistan. It is better to give opaque/ambiguous answers on such questions like PTI alone can't decide any action, there has to be a consensus among stake-holders and there has to be recommendations of the national security agencies etc for taking or not taking any action or adopting some other measures. 

Show tolerance

 

Special care should be taken to invite ladies clad in full-Islamic dress (of pardah) in addition to modern city-style ladies in political gathering. This shall prove that PTI has tolerance for everyone. A few Christians, Sikhs and Hindus can also be invited. 

Respect for Local Traditions and Culture

 

Political gatherings and Jalsas should have two separate parts, one for ladies and one for gents. Mixed jalsa without a dividing wall is not compatible with the local traditions and culture. 

Music in Gatherings/Jalsas 

Some quarters are trying to depict PTI as a party of womanizers, dancers and musicians. It is important to get rid of the music and dance in political gatherings.