International Desk: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan is in jail. He was sentenced in four cases. And this time, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is ahead in the race to become Prime Minister, has been acquitted in one case. Analysts say it is not an election but a selection. It is possible to predict that Nawaz Sharif and his party will win the election. Pakistan is a country where no government has enjoyed a full term of power. They have been ousted on some pretext or another.
Analysts believe that the country’s military is behind the release and imprisonment of all the main politicians. Although the military has been denying these allegations since the beginning, But Nawaz Sharif was once the eyesore of the military, as has been reported in the international media. Meanwhile, on the day before the election, at least 28 people were killed in a bomb blast.
Imran is in jail, and Nawaz is on the way to power. In a nuclear-powered Pakistan
Elections were delayed by a year. Pakistan’s future is threatened by an economic crisis and terrorist attacks. Because no matter who wins the election, there are doubts about how much he will be able to deal with this crisis in the country. Imran Khan is currently a popular leader in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif’s brother, Shahbaz Sharif, came to power after ousting him. During his tenure, Nawaz Sharif was released from one case after another by changing the law. And Imran Khan was arrested and jailed in various cases.
74-year-old Nawaz Sharif is trying to become the prime minister for the fourth time. He is being brought back from abroad and placed in power. However, Nawaz Sharif may face a challenge from 35-year-old Bilawal Bhutto of the Pakistan People’s Party. Bilawal has already feared election rigging. He even said that all the plans to put one in power are being implemented. Nawaz has announced that he will not be the foreign minister if he becomes the prime minister.
Former Indian ambassador to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, said in an interview with news agency ANI that what will happen in the Pakistani elections can be said now. The army has already decided who it wants as prime minister, and that man is likely to be Nawaz Sharif. Therefore, based on what will happen on February 8 (today), it is better to call it a selection rather than an election.
Security question
Two blasts claimed 28 lives in Balochistan yesterday, a day before elections. However, around 500,000 security personnel have been deployed since Wednesday. Ballot papers were distributed to about 90,000 polling stations. This election is surrounded by various controversial incidents, including the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Questions are also raised about election security. At least two candidates were shot dead before the vote. Besides, several incidents of attack have been reported across the country. Voting will continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Pakistan, the fifth-most populous country in the world, has a total population of 240 million, of which 12.8 million have the right to vote. There are about 18 thousand candidates in the election field. 266 seats are being contested, with another 70 seats reserved for women and minorities. Besides, the election of 749 regional parliaments will also be held on the same day.
Imran supporters fight in the vegetable market.
Imran’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) cannot seek votes for its own cricket bat brand in the elections. As a result, the candidates and supporters of the party were forced to contest as independent candidates. The Election Commission has allotted them different symbols, like vegetables. Allegations are being made that even the neutral administration led by the caretaker government is not allowing them to conduct the election campaign properly.
The UN human rights body has also warned of a “pattern of harassment” by Pakistani authorities against members of Imran Khan’s party. The top official of the organization appealed to ensure a free and unfettered electoral process in Pakistan. Pakistani authorities, however, deny all allegations of irregularities. The caretaker government has invited international observers to monitor the election. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have called on Pakistani authorities not to create any barriers to the internet and digital communications. Dawn, BBC, and Deutsche Welle
