PPP social media activists have expressed their discontent and strong displeasure after, what they say, diehard social media workers were ignored in a convention held in Karachi and other cities.
They wrote an open letter to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Co-Chairman Asif Zardari that jiyalas in Karachi and countrywide, who were ignored in the recent official digital media events, are not surprised or overly upset. Not only does this spur us to develop our own Independent platform(s) to advocate for PPP and its leadership.
“This development is also positive for the leadership, which now has an audit over those who are burning through party resources but cannot even get PPP’s colour schemes right, and whose overall performance as the party’s official digital media czar has been underwhelming.
They say they had discussed that these things will happen but it will not deter them from supporting PPP.
They say that prominent Karachi Jiyalas were ignored in the convention. Many in Lahore, Kasur, Khanewal, and Peshawar were not even invited.
Aamir Rizvi and Khalid (Kumbar) Pervaiz are prominent pro-PPP voices on both Twitter and Facebook. Aamir is part of Najeeb’s PSF.
“Aamir Hussaini has also been largely ignored by Sharjeel Memon since December. One-man army Jiyalas like Sharafat Rana have been sidelined by the party’s official channels in Punjab for some time. Advocate Shahid Nazir from Lahore is another notable omission. So is with Hataf Shahab whose well-researched advocacy for the party is something that should have been both archived and appreciated,” reads the letter.
None of this insecure behaviour has affected or diminished the advocacy for the party from independent-minded Jiyalas. All these activists provide valuable responses, narratives and historical archives to the party. They are battling with entrenched interests who spare no occasion to slander PPP.
This is not to disparage many of the activists and jiyalas who are part of the party’s official media channels, like Maleeha Manzoor, and Daniyal Ghalloo. etc. In fact, we have and will continue to work with each other.
Independent jiyalas have tried their best to work within the party’s official structure but have been deliberately kept out. Special interest groups, with underwhelming performances, have taken control. That is now a sad, but far from permanent, reality.
“Our leadership, led by Bhuttos and now Zardaris, have given their lives for the PPP.
Independent jiyalas have faced social boycotts and financial repercussions for supporting PPP. But they are still alive and well and will not let this weak snub deter them from advocating for the party.
“These jiyalas will now advocate PPP from an independent platform. They can clearly do a better job at a fraction of the current costs. Some of them, like Aamir Hussaini, have antagonized mainstream media by advocating consistently for PPP.
“These are veteran Jiyalas who are hitting their political prime but feel that despite their best efforts, the party’s official structures are intent on keeping them out,” the letter concludes.
