A hundred years from now, historians will write down how in 2021 a government in Pakistan was doing all its work on social media. This government had no interest in practical steps to run the administration. It even used social media to be rid of opposition movements.

In meetings with his party's workers, Prime Minister Imran Khan has admitted that social media has played a large part in elevating him to the seat he now occupies. Social media, after all, is the latest and most dangerous weapon of this age. Perhaps that is why he considers it right to use these platforms in running the government. The social media wing of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remains busy all day in formulating trends against both opponents and critics.

Apart from these social media warriors, whom Imran Khan refers to as tigers, the Prime Minister has also taken an inordinate interest in young YouTubers. The ones who openly side with and praise the government are blessed with the opportunity to not only meet the Premier in the flesh but also to advice him. Dr. Arsalan Khan, the Prime Minister's aide, is streamlining the entire procedure.

So now we have a situation where half the people on social media confess to be PTI workers and the remaining half tag themselves as pro-government YouTube journalists.  The only beneficiary of this situation is Imran Khan. He has a support system now whenever he is criticized for not just being unable to make difficult decisions but also for not fulfilling his promises.

Those promises constituted a long list.

10 million jobs, five million houses, justice at your door steps, all to be delivered in the short span of 100 days.

The first 100 days passed so quickly that perhaps Imran Khan and his team did not even realize. But the opposition did. And so did mainstream media which started asking tough questions. In what was to become a pattern, government replied through social media. Meanwhile the 100 days turned into six months, and then years. PTI kept experimenting.

Changes in cabinet, austerity, promises of turning PM House and Governor House into universities, auctioning of cars and even the rather comedic optics of selling of buffaloes.

On each one of these, the government had to take a U-turn.

A critical mainstream media was countered with defence of non-performance from social media platforms. Imran Khan declared U-turns to be beneficial and the mark of true leadership. Riding on the wave of the Air Force's successful defence of the country when they shot down Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan on February 27, 2019, the Prime Minister received accolades for finally delivering a resounding speech in the National Parliament. Outside of the success of that foreign policy matter, internal matters in the country were getting even more complicated.

The first major U-turn was taken on the matter of approaching IMF for financial aid, an act Imran Khan had previously said he would rather die than commit. Asad Umar was summarily replaced by Pakistan People's Party (PPP) former minister Hafeez Sheikh. Ex-IMF employee Raza Baqir was made the head of State Bank of Pakistan. And in what was to become the trademark pattern of the government, all blame for poor economic performance was thrown at previous governments.

The reality of IMF's economic reforms are well documented. Third world governments are strong armed into enforcing cruel policies. The dollar is liberally used to bring local economy to its knees, as financial systems buckle under the strain of rising loans while local currencies are devalued. The present government too is bound by IMF to impose vicious economic policies. Hikes in fuel, electricity and gas were demanded by IMF along with systemic termination of all subsidies.

Recently, a sixth raise in electricity prices was authorized by the government; at Rs. 1.95 per unit, the steepest raise yet. Consumers have been addled with an additional Rs. 450 billion through electricity hike alone. Add the recent Rs. 200 billion the public will pay, and it comes to Rs. 650 billion. Omar Ayoub, however, blamed the previous government for this too. Of course, he never talks about taking the previous government to court for these alleged disastrous economic decisions.

A novel scheme has been launched to counter the inevitable backlash of these policies. Rumors are deliberately circulated about astronomical hikes. The Prime Minister then reduces the rate suggested, allowing a hike nonetheless but with an admonishment to not burden the people so much. Social media bursts out in praise for how people-friendly Imran Khan's policies are.

And amidst the accolades on social media, the poor of the country, frozen in fear of a bigger price hike and living in the eye of the storm of inflation, show no reaction.

Imran Yaqub Khan

This article first appeared on Dunya.pk in Urdu.