‘Cockroach’ Wave Crosses Borders, Reaches Pakistan

What began in India as a satirical online movement has now spilled across the border into Pakistan. Inspired by India’s viral “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP), several Pakistan-based social media groups have emerged with names like “Cockroach Awami Party” (CAP) and “Cockroach Awami League” (CAL), turning the cockroach symbol into a Gen Z expression of frustration, survival, and political satire.

The original Indian movement exploded across social media within days, attracting massive attention through memes, reels, and anti-establishment humor. The CJP’s Instagram page reportedly crossed over 20 million followers in less than a week, even surpassing the follower counts of India’s major national political parties.

The movement started after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, during a Supreme Court hearing, compared certain unemployed activists to “cockroaches” and “parasites.” Though he later clarified that the remarks were aimed at people using fake degree certificates to enter professions, the internet quickly transformed the statement into a viral movement symbolizing the struggles of unemployed youth.

Now, the trend has found resonance in Pakistan as well.

One of the Pakistani pages, Cockroach Awami Party (CAP), describes itself as “a political front of the youth, by the youth, for Pakistan.” The page openly admits it borrowed the idea from India, cheekily writing in its bio: “Yeah copied but who cares. Motto is same.”

The account positions itself as a voice for Pakistan’s Gen Z, claiming it is not tied to any single leader or organization. Using green-and-white branding similar to Pakistan’s national colors, the page presents itself as an alternative to mainstream political parties including Imran Khan’s PTI, Pakistan Muslim League (N), and Pakistan Peoples Party.

Most of the content currently revolves around memes, satire reels, and user-generated political humor. However, the creators claim they are planning to launch an official slogan and broader movement structure soon.

Another emerging page, Cockroach Awami League (CAL), carries the Urdu slogan “Har haalat mein zinda hain” meaning “We remain alive in every situation.” The phrase reflects how the cockroach symbol is now being used to represent resilience and survival amid economic hardship, unemployment, and political frustration.

Interestingly, unlike India’s CJP which was launched by US-based public relations graduate and former AAP associate Abhijeet Dipke and even has a website and manifesto the Pakistani version appears fragmented, with multiple creators independently launching their own versions of the movement.

Despite its humorous presentation, the rise of these “cockroach parties” highlights a deeper sentiment among young people in both countries. Beneath the memes and satire lies growing frustration over unemployment, governance failures, and the disconnect between youth and traditional political systems.

What started as an internet joke is now evolving into a cross-border digital phenomenon driven by Gen Z’s language of sarcasm, rebellion, and survival.

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