Waqar Zaka, a show host and YouTuber known for his controversial and sensational content, has entered the political arena with his own party, Technology Movement Pakistan (TMP). The party, which was registered and recognized by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) earlier this month, aims to participate in the upcoming elections in February 2024.
Zaka, who claims to be a technology expert and a visionary, has said that his party’s main goal is to boost the Information Technology (IT) sector in the government and the country. He has also outlined a 13-point manifesto that covers various issues such as education, health, women’s empowerment, and madrassa reform.
However, what has caught the attention of many people is not his manifesto, but his choice of electoral symbol. Zaka has applied for the symbol of a ‘bat’ or a ‘laptop’, which are currently available in the list of electoral symbols of ECP. He has argued that both symbols represent his party’s vision and mission.
But the bat symbol is not just any symbol. It is the same symbol that was used by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the ruling party of Prime Minister Imran Khan, in the previous elections. PTI, which has a huge fan base and a strong presence in the country, has been fighting to retain its symbol, which it considers as its identity and trademark.
Whether Zaka’s party will be able to make a dent in the elections, or whether it will be a flop, remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Zaka has stirred up a lot of controversy and curiosity with his bat-ty ambitions, and has added a new twist to the political drama in Pakistan.