For the first time in the lives of young people in Pakistan, they see hope in a political figure. The political setup that they have been raised with from their childhood growing up with General Zia to the 1990′s era of ”democratically” elected governments, makes them hungry for a true leader. The youth are so hungry, that they will eat anything to satisfy that hunger. Even become irrational at times. Revolutions happen when the masses become irrational.
In Social Media circles, there have been many complaints in the social media circles regarding the conduct of PTI Supporters. Yes, a few PTI Supporters have become irrational, and disrespectful. When you have the support of millions of youth, only a few can seem like so many. I concede that there have been instances of irresposibility of some youth. But they didn’t automatically become irrational by supporting Imran Khan. When you play with a human, the normal minded person will go nuts. The political system has played with the minds of the youth, causing the irrationality. This is what happens when you play with the future of the youth for your own personal gain. There is confusion among the youth as to what is right, democracy or dictatorship.
The youth are ingrained to believe that dictatorship is evil, and that democracy is hypocrisy. That is the reality of the situation in Pakistan. The only time that the youth has seen some type of stability was during the dictatorship eras, and yet the global community preaches democracy is the way. But democracy can not rise on education alone, it needs effective leadership that is willing to guide the masses and teach the masses the way. Right now, the only leader that is going to universities, colleges and holding public rallies attracting the youth is Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice).
Pakistan has a leader that the youth believes in and is very passionate about. The youth have become so passionate that they are very defensive of Imran Khan and sensitive, whether that is right or wrong, is a different debate. Because they not only want to give Imran Khan a chance, they demand Imran Khan as Pakistan’s next leader. If that does not happen, the youth will erupt in a fire that will have a negative consequence in the world. That is the risk that the global community can not afford to take. That is the simple demand in an environment where the parents force the will of the PPP/PML/MQM/ANP upon them and pay the cynicism card regarding the future of Pakistan. The youth do not want to hear it from other people, they already hear it from their parents, friends, and the propaganda television networks on Pakistan tv.
The reality is, the youth may be young, but they are not naive. For the elder generation, they grew up in the early beginnings of Pakistan. They have seen the light of the early years. The Youth have grown up in an environment of distress and confusion and very little hope. Many are graduating from Pakistan’s elite universities with no hope of finding a decent job. In a world where great education usually promises a decent job, such situation has not been the case in Pakistan.
Distress has a psychological impact and cause cause irrational thinking. The good news is that the youth has forced their demand of Imran Khan to the establishment. The establishment can no longer become king maker. If the establishment wants to see a better future of Pakistan, it must listen to the voice of the youth. They only demand one thing, and that is a true leader, which they see in Imran Khan.
The time for change has come. What was once impossible is becoming reality. PTI, though imperfect within itself, is going through a evolution. This evolution is inspiring change within it. The time for policies and procedures and institutional building is emerging within PTI. This evolution is taking shape. It is an evolution caused by the desire of the youth, the instability of the current government, the collapse of institutions, and a hope in a leader they believe in. That only means one thing : Revolution.