Imposing pickup trucks symbolise Pakistan's power gulf

Their prices have remained steady and they retain excellent resale value in a market traditionally dominated by their manufacturer, Toyota.

“Amongst whatever luxury items we have, this is the fastest-selling item,” car seller Nazir told AFP.

Dealers say there was a spike in rentals during February’s national elections.

“I swear to God, you can’t run an election without a Revo,” said Sajjad Ali Soomro, a provincial parliamentarian from Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

In the eastern city of Gujrat, politician Ali Warraich — from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party — finds it essential to travel with an escort of two of the trucks.

They allow him to navigate off-road terrain to attend dozens of weddings and funerals a month.

“Politics without this vehicle has become nearly impossible,” he tells AFP. Without one, he argues, potential supporters could question his influence and turn towards competitors.

“As a result, it has become a basic necessity,” he said.

Getting carried away

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