Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) organized Pakistan’s inaugural virtual gathering amidst a crackdown and an unspoken prohibition on their physical assemblies.
Former Prime Minister and PTI’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, communicated with his supporters through an AI-generated audio clip during this virtual event.
This AI-generated audio, synchronized with images and videos of Khan, amassed over 1.4 million views on YouTube and captivated tens of thousands in a live audience across various social media platforms.
Additionally, PTI’s social media lead, Jibran Ilyas, commended the effort behind Khan’s AI speech on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging Dr. Asma’s dedication, Nausheen’s translations, and Intazar Bhai’s role in obtaining notes from Imran Khan himself for the #PTIVirtualJalsa.
In his discourse, Khan expressed discontent about the restrictions imposed on his party’s public rallies, highlighting alleged abductions of party members and harassment of their families.
“Our party encounters constraints on organizing public rallies,” Khan asserted, urging his supporters to actively engage in the upcoming general elections. “Our members are being forcibly taken, and their families are facing harassment.”
PTI officials disclosed that the AI-generated speech was based on a written version approved by Khan while he remains in custody. The virtual rally was a response to the media blackout surrounding Khan’s situation.
Murtaza Solangi, the information minister in Pakistan’s interim government overseeing the elections, did not respond to requests for comments from Reuters.
On Sunday night, internet services experienced significant disruptions, affecting access to social media platforms where PTI was hosting its virtual election rally. Numerous users nationwide, particularly in Karachi, Lahore, Mir Pur Khas, and Rawalpindi, reported slow internet speeds.
Downdetector confirmed website downtimes starting from approximately 7 pm. Imran Khan, who was convicted and sentenced to three years on graft charges on August 5, remains entangled in multiple court cases, some conducted discreetly behind prison walls.
Founding Chairman Imran Khan's speech in AI voice. Can't stop praising Dr Asma for staying up 36 hours to get this done in time, Nausheen for translations and Intazar Bhai for getting notes from the Legend Imran Khan! #PTIVirtualJalsa pic.twitter.com/9CoDVT4sXb
— Jibran Ilyas (@agentjay2009) December 17, 2023