The blocked elite’s euphoria on Imran Khan’s arrival – by Nadeem F. Paracha

On the block
by Nadeem Paracha

In February I wrote an article on these pages called The blocked elite. Today after following all the excitement amongst the urban middle-class youth and in the populist electronic media about Imran Khan’s successful show in PML-N’s stronghold, Lahore, I believe the concept of the blocked elite needs a revisit.

One can understand the euphoria that penetrated the ranks of many young Pakistanis who are seeing Imran’s long-drawn arrival on the country’s mainstream political scene as some kind of a revolutionary movement in the making. Of course, one should bear in mind we are talking about a generation that gets its history lessons and learns politics not from academically sound books, research papers or even from good old-fashioned discourses between differing ideological poles but from finger-wagging orators masquerading as talk-show hosts, ‘security analysts’ and televangelists, or worse, from those dramatic documentaries that claim to unearth everything from modern Freemasons, to 9/11 conspiracies to the ‘al-dajjal’ (anti-Christ) on YouTube!

Imran’s rally had absolutely nothing to do with any sort of a revolution. Or, to put it in the context of what I am about to launch into, the rally was certainly miles away from the conventional understanding of revolution that exists between the French Revolution (1789) and Russian, Chinese, Cuban and even Iranian revolutions of the 20th century. Ever since the end of the Cold War (1989-91), the many revolutionary uprisings that have taken place in the former communist countries and in numerous Asian and Arab countries after 1991, have all revolved more around urban middle-class aspirations (or frustrations) rather than on any classical Marxist (proletarian/working class) or Maoist (peasant) interpretations of revolution/uprising.

What has happened in the Arab countries during the ‘Arab Spring’ and what is happening in the urban areas of Punjab, were/ are largely middle-class driven events, emerging from what is called the ‘blocked elite’ — i.e. an educated middle-class that feels it has what it takes to become a power-elite but its path is being blocked by a corrupt, unfair and autocratic regime, even if elected. But the question arises, what exactly are middle-class ideals in this context?

In the classical sense they should be democracy, economic stability, good governance and maintenance of law and order. But in the post-Cold War world such ideals have become blurred, especially in Muslim countries like Pakistan where the middle-class has largely begun to perceive democracy as something akin to populist chaos or a way for the West to impose its own political agenda and values.

That’s why in spite of the fact that Pakistan is one of the few Muslim countries that has seen a number of democratic setups, religious groups have made deep inroads into the middle-class psyche.

It is the country’s middle and lower-middle-classes that have (especially since the late 1970s) gone on to air these groups’ thoughts and anti-West rhetoric. But this hasn’t meant the transforming of the country into a strict theological state headed by an amirul momineen. And that’s because associated with these classes’ conservatism is a pragmatic factor that sees classes usually end up supporting conservative democratic parties (like PML-N), whereas it is the ‘masses’ (at least as voters and steps below the blocked elite) are the ones that have always kept religious parties at bay by voting for various left-liberal and quasi-secular, populist, political outfits.

For example, we have seen how the blocked elite in Arab countries demonstrated their aspirations to topple the autocratic elite and are more than likely to elect conservative (but democratic) Islamic parties to parliament. The blocked elite is inherently conservative and its most animated expression, the urban, middle-class youth, may exhibit populist fervour and revolutionary posturing, their main goal remains to (rather unapologetically) find for themselves and their class a place in the ruling political elite apparatus that they believe they have been denied.

In other words these uprisings have nothing to do with crushing the system or even the ‘establishment’, but instead to force it to be readjusted in a way that would allow the entry of the middle-classes in the same political apparatus that they denounce as being flawed. Of course, the sub-text here being that the people heading the apparatus and the system are flawed, not the system itself. It is a sheer delusion thus to associate such uprisings to any popular notions of revolution.

In Pakistan the blocked elite, especially ever since the 1990s, has somewhat always been repulsed by populist democracy, fearing that a popularly elected government too may end up blocking their upwardly mobile ambitions as does an autocratic one. This sentiment is actually an echo of what we call the military-establishment – an elite that nervously and with disdain is always in a tense tussle with the civilian power elite.

That’s why journalist and publisher, Najam Sethi, is correct to describe Khan’s rally in Lahore as largely pro-establishment.
Khan has arrived as not only a horse the establishment can bet on now, but his colourful arrival is also a reflection of the aspirations of Pakistan’s blocked elite to find their way into those corridors of civilian power elite that comes in through the process of an election but is a tricky proposition for the military establishment to handle.

Nevertheless, to the much cringing and whining of the blocked elite, it is still this civilian power elite that remains rooted in the economic and political aspirations, not of the blocked elite, but of the simply blocked and thus doomed, masses.

Source: Dawn

Appendix (by Twitter Monitor):

Here is a quick summary of who amongst the blocked elites were in a state of euphoria on Twitter during PTI rally on 30 October 2011:

OmarWaraich Omar Waraich
Wow. That’s a big crowd #PTIjalsa

OmarWaraich Omar Waraich
Apparently the Ravi bridge is choked with traffic heading for the #PTIjalsa

OmarWaraich Omar Waraich
Too early to say. But he’s officially in the game now RT @blakehounshell: so imran khan is the real deal huh? Game changer?

OmarWaraich Omar Waraich
Lahore Special Branch say the venue at Minar-e-Pakistan is full #PTIjalsa

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
by OmarWaraich

AajTV saying Lahore venue filled to capacity gates closed workers will have to listen to the speeches outside speakers set up #PTIJalsa

OmarWaraich Omar Waraich
The Punjab police estimates that there are 22,000 at the #PTIjalsa and rising. Official counts are usually conservative

OmarWaraich Omar Waraich
@aleefbaypay Literal. It’s a very big crowd

kaalakawaa Kala Kawa
The PTI speaker just said that the capacity at the ground is 200K. Nahin, right? I can see 50K though.

kaalakawaa Kala Kawa
Minto Park is a far more scenic location for a jalsa than Bhati Gate.

kaalakawaa Kala Kawa
@Razarumi To be fair, the impact of 1 of today’s rallies on Pakistan’s political future likely to be larger. Prob not MQM one. @shahidsaeed

kaalakawaa Kala Kawa
Anyone know how many times President Zardari has officially addressed the country? (You know the PTV style address)

kaalakawaa Kala Kawa
A little funny to see jiyalas like @marvisirmed get uppity at IK aligning himself with a few former PMLQ guys

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
@mirza9 estimates are 35K at the moment

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
#PTIJalsa filling up looks HUGE has Pervez Rashids resignation been sent in?

AnjumKiani anjum kiani
RT by tammyhaq

#PTI caravan stopped by #Zardari. & #PMLQ supporters in #Jhelum & #Gugranwala. Negotiating to defuse stand off. Police request peace.

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
@shahidsaeed according 2 organisers now 70K chairs. It’s a bit like a cricket stadium there’s chairmans box VIP enclosure & general stands

Razarumi Raza Rumi
by Mehmal

Good show by #PTI. Excellent to see youth getting involved in politics and hope they also vote in the 2013 election. Ditto for middle class.

Mehmal Mehmal Sarfraz
@OmarWaraich how many then? 100k or less? @kaalakawaa

pakistanpolicy Arif Rafiq
by Mehmal

RT @norbalm Difference between #mqm & #PTIjalsa one has orchestrated flag waving, the other is passionate, and celebratory.

Mehmal Mehmal Sarfraz
according to Iftikhar sb (@jawabdeyh), thousands of PTI supporters on Ferozepur Road on their way to Minar-e-Pakistan for #PTIjalsa

Mehmal Mehmal Sarfraz
true RT @hushamahmed: Have to admit: PTI today will be bringing those ppl to its rally too, who never attend such Jalsas normally.

Mehmal Mehmal Sarfraz
@kursed PPP didn’t promise any change as such but PTI does. PTI-walahs claim they’ll end corruption, etc @OmarWaraich

Mehmal Mehmal Sarfraz
@R_baloch PTI ki livestream try karo

pakistanpolicy Arif Rafiq
RT @asiffshahzad various ppl who i spoke to in Lahore says PTI jalsa is bigger than shahbaz sharif’s sarkari show.

pakistanpolicy Arif Rafiq
RT @Mehmal RT @OmarWaraich: Lahore Special Branch say the venue at Minar-e-Pakistan is full #PTIjalsa

pakistanpolicy Arif Rafiq
Former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal emailed me on August 18, 2011 stating that PPP gangs are waging a “genocide” campaign against Muhajirs.

pakistanpolicy Arif Rafiq
If you want istihkam-e jamhuriyat, you might not want to side with dictators and murder your political rivals.

pakistanpolicy Arif Rafiq
Wait — How are Altaf and Zardari making love again? Just over a month ago, senior MQM officials were mailing me accusing PPP of genocide.

sharmeenochinoy Sharmeen Obaid
The numbers are impressive- people still believe in the system and democracy! Thank you #PTIjalsa –

rizwanrkhan Rizwan Raees Khan
by pakistanpolicy
Initial diff I can see between #PTIjalsa and others is that other than party workers families and the middle class have turned up in big num

anthonypermal Anthony Permal
You know, #MQM & #PPP’s reactionary stance today says alot about their fear of the ‘what-if’ factor of #ImranKhan. #PTI #Pakistan

kursed Abdullah Saad
by anthonypermal
If nothing else, I hope the PTI rally shames other parties to not to use state machinery to pull people again.

anthonypermal Anthony Permal
Ppl were complaining b4 today’s #PTI rally that there won’t be enuf ppl. Now they’re complaining about big crowd+finding fault #Pakistan

AnjumKiani anjum kiani
by anthonypermal
#PTI caravan stopped by #Zardari. & #PMLQ supporters in #Jhelum & #Gugranwala. Negotiating to defuse stand off. Police request peace.

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
“@kaalakawaa: I hope Imran Khan recites some Jalib today. It’s been so long since anyone’s tried that one.” brilliant

Saba_Imtiaz Saba Imtiaz
+10 RT @kaalakawaa: I hope Imran Khan recites some Jalib today. It’s been so long since anyone’s tried that one.

shahidsaeed Shahid Saeed
by aliarqam

Desperate: “Pervez Rasheed Challanges Imran Khan to show 50,000 chairs at his rally within one hour…. If shown he will resign from senate”

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
#PTIJalsa is massive. Women on stage. Lots of jurnos on stage

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
LOL “@mosharrafzaidi: MQM’s expression of solidarity with President Zardari almost as comical as Altaf Bhai’s gangsta rap.”

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
Has Imran Khan finally arrived? Will this huge rally translate in to votes? Will credible people join the #PTI ?

DrAwab Awab Alvi
#ptijalsa 350,000+ people – The revolution has started #pti

kaalakawaa Kala Kawa
Is this when I eat crow? Really quite well done by the PTI. That’s a LOT of people, and I’m assuming a lot of work went into it.

DrAwab Awab Alvi
Imran khan offering namaz Maghreb on stage at #ptijalsa #pti

mosharrafzaidi Mosharraf Zaidi
by TheseLongWars

compare the captivating energy of Imran Khan’s crowd, versus the lethargic acquiescence of Altaf Hussein’s.

mosharrafzaidi Mosharraf Zaidi
Skipper praying Maghrib. Marvellous.

pakistanpolicy Arif Rafiq
by le_Sabre
I know this is bad, but wouldn’t it be great if Altaf had a heart attack and died while giving this absurd speech no one wants to listen to?
37 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

le_Sabre Daaniyal
#PTI has brought out the youth to support him. Out of conviction!n what can the PPP bring out on its side? a 2 bit murderous thug in London

Rezhasan Rezaul Hasan Laskar
A terrific in-swinger is on its way, and this will be the first ball that will remove the wickets of two batsmen: Imran Khan.

Rezhasan Rezaul Hasan Laskar
This is not a flood, it is a tsunami, anyone standing in its way will be swept away: Imran Khan

Rezhasan Rezaul Hasan Laskar
I pledge that no strength, including Zardari or Nawaz Sharif, can stop this flood: Imran Khan

Mahamali05 Maham Ali
by tammyhaq

We are going to give rights to domestic servants who are treated like animals: Imran Khan. Impressive #ptijalsa
21 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
This ones for the women…education for all. #PTIjalsa

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
Hahaha RT @SundusRasheed @AamnaTaseer @tammyhaq pretty clear on my political stance. my leader has to be attractive. and not my brother…..

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
Months of planning millions of rupees later 1 vote RT @jhaque_ Have decided to vote for Imran Khan in 2013 elections #PTIjalsa #Jazbati

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
@fispahani 2 b fair 2 Imran Khan he spke out whn @SalmaanTaseer ws murdered he supportd @sherryrehman blasphemy bill more than 1 cn sy 4 PPP

tammyhaq Ayesha Tammy Haq
Here comes The Great Khan…

OmarWaraich Omar Waraich
Special Branch is saying the turnout is 105,000 at the #PTIjalsa

OmarWaraich Omar Waraich
Huge exaggeration RT @NewsweekPak: PTI claiming half million present at Imran Khan’s rally.

shahidsaeed Shahid Saeed
by OmarWaraich

“Imran Khan: A cricketing hero with his eye on political glory” – by @omarwaraich – Aug, 2011 ind.pn/p9s5dO

mosharrafzaidi Mosharraf Zaidi
first thoughts on Imran Khan’s speech: meandering, light on specifics, impressive breadth, so-so delivery, some really bright spots.

mosharrafzaidi Mosharraf Zaidi
assassay. best romanized word ever.

mosharrafzaidi Mosharraf Zaidi
Imran Khan seems to have turned a corner from the “twilight” speech, thanks his “team” and the PTI youth that came out in numbers #PTIJalsa

mosharrafzaidi Mosharraf Zaidi
On womens’ rights: “we will declare an education emergency for women, we will ensure women receive their fair share of inheritance”

mosharrafzaidi Mosharraf Zaidi
Imran Khan at #PTIJalsa – “we will empower domestic workers with their rights”

dnoorani Daniyal Noorani
by beenasarwar

People who are upset that he didn’t touch upon Ahmaddis and blasphemy law, one shud be careful when navigating a minefield #PTIjalsa

Razarumi Raza Rumi
by beenasarwar

Absolutely. He is a force 2 reckon with MT @mosharrafzaidi:PTI rank& file pulled off an historic event in Lahore.That’s nothing to scoff at.

mosharrafzaidi Mosharraf Zaidi
major policy assertions by Imran Khan at #PTIJalsa
42 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

mosharrafzaidi Mosharraf Zaidi
“hum baldiyati nizaam lay kay aain gay”

mosharrafzaidi Mosharraf Zaidi
if you’re interested in electoral politics, getting a big crowd together at a historic venue in “opposition” territory is a good start.

abbasnasir59:
Imran Khan has announced his entry finally as a serious contender in politics. Does he have what it takes to win parliamentary polls?

SamadK Samad Khurram
Not sure if any PML-N or MQM/PPP mentioned Balochistan at their rally. #PTIJalsa

SamadK Samad Khurram
Forget political differences for now and cherish the moment. This is a great day for democracy and people’s participation #PTIJalsa #PTI

SamadK Samad Khurram
The highest estimate for PML-N rally was 70K, which is at least 30K lower than the lowest estimate for #PTIJalsa. #PTI #Pakistan

SamadK Samad Khurram
Wow.

sabahat24 Sabahat Zakariya
Just returned from the PTI jalsa. About to blog it. Stay tuned if you are interested in my take.

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