Unlike other political parties, PTI has two parts. One is inside Pakistan & other part is overseas Pakistanis.
Then, PML N & PPPP have only internal parts. The overseas part of PTI is still active on social media & lobbying with international legislators & organizations. It’s quite visible that PTI supporters in Pakistan are quiet on social media & likewise, their political workers are underground or hibernated. Hence, for the time being, the federal & provincial governments have limited the bulging outreach of PTI in Pakistan.
Pakistani political parties aren’t organized, therefore their political resistance is always compromised. Accordingly, they have not been able to resist the onslaught of federal or provincial governments. Political parties in Pakistan are more of a cult than organized functional units. There is a weak grassroot organizational structure & almost all parties organize through electables. So, if electables are inactive, the party is inactive. In this context PTI, PML N & PPPP are the same one political party barring their leaders. Then, PTI is more effective on social media than other political parties.
Irrespective of the merit of organization, however, PTI seems to have an advantage despite all organizational & second tier leadership issues. They have the unique support of overseas Pakistanis. Overseas Pakistanis not only mobilize international help but also influence their Pakistani relations as latter are financially dependant upon them. More, overseas Pakistanis are running the social media narrative of PTI & defending their party as most of their supporters in Pakistan are almost silent.
Overseas Pakistanis might be the most potent challenge for PDM governments. It shall remain a question how PDM governments tackle or woo overseas Pakistanis. It is pertinent to mention that all overseas Pakistanis aren’t in favor of PTI but a significant part is. As long as overseas Pakistanis keep on supporting PTI & IK, the PTI shall remain a potent political force at least on social media. Instead, it won’t be exaggerating to comment that future of PTI depends upon the leadership of IK & his overseas supports for the time being. PTI faces a serious political crisis. The detractors of PTI refer the crisis as an existential threat. If PTI sails through the crisis, the role of overseas Pakistanis shall be significant.
