Imran Khan and the Pakistan elections results
In the middle of a bustling road, a large crowd of supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan gathered to protest against alleged electoral fraud. Despite facing a severe crackdown by the Pakistani Military, the demonstrators, backing Khan’s PTI party, voiced their grievances and frustrations. These scenes were widespread during the election runoff 4 months ago. It has been 4 months since the elections and the chaos still persists. The worsening economic situation coupled with a deteriorating security environment is increasingly driving the current government with its military backers into a corner.
Claims of electoral Fraud
The PTI candidates, now the largest group in Parliament, believe they have been unfairly prevented from winning an outright majority. One candidate expressed his outrage during election results, stating, “I’ve been robbed. I was ahead in the count. To prevent me from gathering proof, police took everything away from us and arrested my polling agents.” According to many independent organisations, there were widespread cases of rigging, horse-trading and other cases of election fraud committed during the elections.
The current government headed by Shehbaz Sharif is currently standing on a fragile coalition with Asif Zardari’s PPP as partner. Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of army staff is said to have set set up a hybrid system where Shehbaz Sharif remains his puppet. There are already reports of massive internal discord within both parties and the cabinet itself. Most people are now viewing the coalition government as one backed by the all-powerful Pakistani Military headed by General Asim Munir. Khan’s supporters allege Asim Munir and the military establishment of orchestrating mass desertions in Khan’s party by intimidations and promises of rewards in order to keep Khan inside jail and his party out of power.
Some PTI-backed candidates have gathered documents that appear to show they won their seats, despite official declarations that they lost. These documents have fueled further anger and suspicion among Khan’s supporters and the Pakistani public at large.
State crackdown on Khan’s supporters during the Pakistan elections
State crackdown during the 2024 elections was brutal and unforgiving. As the crowd moved towards the office of the returning officer during vote counting, the police intervened, detaining a number of protesters. The state’s response was swift and uncompromising. In one incident, police punctured the tires of a supporter’s car, indicating their determination to stifle the protests.
In other reported incidents, violent charges by police and Rangers dispersed PTI supporters protesting electoral fraud allegations. Shahzad Faruk, a PTI candidate, was taken away in a police van after he alleged election irregularities. He lost the elections despite claiming a lead on his opponents just hours before.
A supporter voiced their frustration, saying, “I don’t feel that freedom at all. I mean, what I feel or what I want to say, I’m not allowed to say that. If I say what I believe or what I think, I’ll be behind bars. We just want justice here in Pakistan. We should live like we should be proud of what we live in Pakistan, but till now, we haven’t felt like that.”
Conclusion
Despite massive reports of electoral fraud committed, Shehbaz Sharif was still able to assume the office of PM. This was all thanks to the popular support of the military establishment committing crackdowns, candidates changing sides and widespread rigging. Imran Khan remains in jail and his popularity grows at an exponential rate thanks to the all the IMF reforms being done under Shehbaz Sharif. While this shieds Imran Khan from the apparent blame for these painful reforms that have seen inflation and poverty skyrocket, it has made the military establishment and its protégé, the current government unpopular.
+ There are no comments
Add yours