PTI’s reliance on populist rhetoric, misinformation, and chaotic protests highlights the challenges of political instability and the need for fact-based dialogue in Pakistan.

Populist movements often promise change but rarely deliver the progressive outcomes their rhetoric suggests. As John Milton observed, “Order is the law of heaven, and disorder is the law of hell.” This adage feels particularly apt for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its leader, Imran Khan. PTI’s approach to governance and protest has been marked by chaos, misinformation, and an almost theatrical agitation.

In today’s post-truth era, the public increasingly leans on propaganda over objective realities. Those realities paint a far grimmer picture for PTI than their populist narratives admit. The PTI government accrued $52 billion in overseas debt during its tenure, ballooning Pakistan’s financial burdens. Corruption flourished, as evidenced by the nation’s dismal ranking—140th out of 180 countries—on the global Corruption Perceptions Index.

Nowhere is PTI’s record more revealing than in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the party has governed since 2013. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s literacy rate hovers at 58%, while unemployment has reached troubling highs of 8.53%. Though the Sehat Sahulat Program brought short-term health benefits, it served more as a populist ploy than a genuine reform effort. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s debt soared to $9 billion, underscoring the absence of structural reforms. Instead of addressing systemic weaknesses, PTI chased populist causes, securing votes without delivering sustainable solutions.

The rise of social media and civic journalism has amplified political rhetoric, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood. In Pakistan, this digital cacophony has empowered populist movements like PTI, especially following its ouster via a no-confidence motion in 2022.

The party has since embraced a strategy of relentless agitation, orchestrating campaigns that rely heavily on misinformation. The events of May 9, 2023, were a tipping point, with PTI elements accused of desecrating national symbols and inciting violence. These actions have deepened Pakistan’s political instability and fractured its already fragile social fabric.

Imran Khan, once the face of PTI’s populist ascent, now finds himself behind bars, facing charges ranging from financial impropriety to incitement during the May 9 protests. Yet, PTI leadership continues to stoke unrest. The November 24 protests demanding Khan’s release devolved into riots, leading to the tragic deaths of a ranger officer and a police officer. For its part, the government demonstrated restraint, but the incident underscored the enduring volatility of Pakistan’s political landscape.

PTI’s protests have often been poorly timed and poorly executed. During a diplomatic visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the party chose to stage its demonstration, risking Pakistan’s international reputation. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi managed to avert a diplomatic crisis, but the protest’s lack of coordination and eventual collapse highlighted PTI’s waning organizational strength and eroding credibility among its supporters.

The allure of populist leaders lies in their ability to manipulate emotions and craft compelling narratives. But in this so-called post-truth world, anchoring public discourse in empirical data and reason is imperative. Pakistan’s journey toward stability demands a rejection of divisive rhetoric and a renewed commitment to facts.

Dialogue offers a path forward. Genuine political progress requires open communication, adherence to democratic norms, and a willingness to engage diverse perspectives. Through constructive debate, nations like Pakistan can navigate their divisions, fostering the trust and cooperation necessary for lasting peace and progress.