Sher versus the stealth voter – Pakistan

EARLY on Wednesday morning, the Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib is a picture of tranquillity. Sunlight washes the vast courtyard and arcades, and the smog slowly lifts to reveal the white marble floor.

Visitors trickle in from across the province: a newlywed couple from Lahore holds hands in front of the grand entrance, another from Faisalabad bundles up their infant in a thick blanket. Sikh devotees greet each other before they proceed to wash their feet and enter the gurdwara to pay their respects.

It was here just a week earlier that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif told a large gathering that he would overhaul the political system that ‘handcuffed, jailed and exiled’ the former prime minister.

So, did his message hit home?

From the dozens of people Dawn spoke to in the district, it is clear that the political battle is very much on. Based on conversations with members of the public in Nankana and Sheikhupura, it appears there are a handful of PPP and TLP supporters, but political loyalties are largely divided between the PML-N and PTI. Nawaz supporters are confident, but the Imran voter is determined — and fantasising about an upset.

Nawaz supporters are confident, but the Imran voter is determined — and fantasising about an upset

It is clear to many that PML-N will be the big winner in the elections, but questions are being asked. Is Nawaz walking on an illusion, one asks? Is Khan finished, says another. Nearly everyone maintains that the establishment will be the ultimate decision-maker.

Dyal Singh, an elderly sewadar (volunteer) at the gurdwara, presented an interesting (albeit chauvinistic) analogy. “The dynamic of the army and politicians is like the relationship between a husband and wife in our [patriarchal] society. Can a wife displease her husband? Does she leave the home if he asks her not to? Both Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif have learned the hard way.”

Support for Nawaz is evident. Dyal Singh feels the PML-N is strong in the district, and that the recent rally further boosted his popularity.

“During the rally, his daughter Maryam paid a compliment to the colourful pagris (turbans) of the Sikh community. She said sat sri akal to the crowd. These gestures touched us,” he said, adding that there is a narrative that PML-N brings development.

Another volunteer said even undecided voters may go with Nawaz.

“Jiss ka tara ooncha ja raha hai, ussi ka vote hai,” (the one whose star is rising, they will get the vote) he says, hinting that it is widely believed Nawaz is the favourite of the powers that be this election.

The newlyweds from Lahore, too, are Nawaz supporters. The young gentleman Ali Akbar says, “Of course there are many people who love Imran Khan. But can he help the economic situation? Can he create jobs? Nawaz can. Hearts beat for Imran Khan, but the sher is the best.”

He adds, however, “If Imran Khan was not in jail today, Nawaz would still be in London.”

The Imran ‘conviction’

Countering speculations that the voter turnout may be low in the upcoming polls owing to the dismantling of the PTI, many young supporters visiting the shrine were clear: Khan’s successive sentences in two cases this week have only bolstered his support base.

Adnan, a university student, said the stealth PTI voter will shock the country on February 8.

“Most young people are with Imran Khan. They will come out in droves. The head may have been chopped off, and the body battered, but the heart still beats — that is the PTI in a nutshell.”

“Even without our leader, without the bat, without the party, he will be the victor — even in defeat, because we will come out on top in a big way.”

Another young man said, “All my classmates will vote for PTI’s candidate. Our lashkar is hidden, because we fear that we will be crushed like our leader was crushed. But just like he is fighting by staying in jail, we will fight for him.”

Interestingly, Adnan said he and his friends went to the PML-N rally last week in Nankana.

“Don’t be fooled by the big turnout at rallies. We also went to the PML-N jalsa. When you are at war, you should observe the enemy, see what their tactics are, and what they are thinking. That’s why we went.”

At a dhaba in the market outside the gurdwara, a trio of young gentlemen echoed a similar steadfast conviction in Imran Khan. “We are all laying low. Our friends get arrested if they openly support the PTI, so we don’t want to take a risk and be caught. We are silent now, but election day will be our power show,” said Abdur Rehman.

A young constable, Asif, also condemned the crackdown against PTI. “But if there is police action in the district against a PTI supporter, I skip work that day. I make an excuse and don’t join the raiding party.”

These young men profess a blind faith in Khan. They use platitudes to describe his qualities, and insist that their spirit and conviction has not been broken.

“Every time I think of him in jail, I remind myself to go out and vote,” said Abdur Rehman. “Loss of the balla (bat) doesn’t hurt us — we know who our guy is, whether he has the mor (peacock), the pyala (bowl), the baingan (eggplant). And these independents know that if they turn on PTI after winning a seat, they will have to face us.”

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2024

Header image: A PML-N supporter waves the party’s flag during an election campaign rally in Lahore on January 29, 2024. — AFP

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