As Pakistan gears up for parliamentary elections in February concerns about the integrity and fairness of the electoral process are mounting. Human rights groups and independent monitors have raised alarms over what they perceive as pre-poll rigging, citing a military-backed government crackdown on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the country’s largest political party, and an increase in media censorship. The crackdown, primarily targeted at the PTI, led by the jailed Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has sparked apprehensions about the upcoming elections’ credibility. Munizae Jahangir, the co-chairperson of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, expressed scepticism at a news conference in Islamabad, stating that there is little evidence to suggest that the elections will be free, fair, or credible.
As the nation approaches the crucial electoral moment, the focus remains on whether the concerns raised by human rights groups and independent monitors will be addressed, and if the elections will indeed reflect the will of the Pakistani people. The dramatic arrest of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, has plunged the nation into a state of chaos, leading to widespread protests, rioting, and a grim toll of lives lost. The pre-poll riggings typify that no matter what Pakistan army and all its hijacked institutions have taken a vow to defeat PTI in the upcoming elections. If not by people’s support, they are hell-bent on using every method; no matter how blatantly shameless to keep Imran Khan out of power.
Though Imran Khan's rise could be attributed to the popular support of common people but his fall for sure has been orchestrated by the Pakistani army, when Khan tried to show them their place. His political journey was cut short mainly by the army’s intervention in April 2022 when he was ousted through a parliamentary no-confidence vote. Since then, Khan has found himself entangled in a web of legal troubles, facing approximately 100 cases that include charges of corruption and terrorism. The friction between Khan and the military escalated further when he began openly criticizing his former allies within the armed forces. Notably, Khan alleged that the military was involved in an assassination attempt against him last year, resulting in a gunshot wound to his leg. These bold accusations have deepened the existing fault lines in Pakistan’s political landscape, with repercussions echoing through the streets in the form of protests and unrest. Thousands have been arrested, and the death toll has reached at dozens of people, highlighting the volatility of the situation. The tensions between the military and Khan’s supporters raise concerns about the potential for further violence and disruptions in the run-up to the upcoming elections.
In a piece published earlier this week for the UK publication The Economist, Khan expressed concerns that elections in Pakistan could be a farce. The Former Prime Minister wrote from prison, criticized the country's Election Commission for alleged biased actions and discriminatory measures against his party, PTI. He accused the Pakistani establishment of ensuring his exclusion from returning to power, asserting that they had utilized various means and a number of strategies to remove him from the political landscape and ensure that he would not be allowed to retake power. Earlier in 2022, after being ousted as Prime Minister, he accused the Army, ISI, and other security agencies of orchestrating his government's removal under pressure from the US.
As the country grapples with these challenges, questions about the long-standing pattern of military interventions in Pakistani politics resurface. The nation has a history of military takeovers, and the periodic clashes between civilian leaders and the military have hindered the establishment of a stable democratic framework. The arrest of a former prime minister and the subsequent unrest underscores the fragility of Pakistan’s democratic institutions. This becomes even more crucial, given the upcoming elections scheduled for February. The unrest threatens to cast a shadow over the democratic process, raising doubts about the fairness and transparency of the electoral system. The allegations of corruption and terrorism against Khan, combined with his claims of military interference, create a complex and volatile political landscape that could have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan’s future.
The International community closely watches these developments, as Pakistan plays a pivotal role in regional stability. The country’s internal struggles have implications beyond its borders, affecting diplomatic relations and geopolitical dynamics in South Asia. The unrest adds a layer of uncertainty to an already complex regional landscape, with potential ramifications for neighboring countries. The caretaker government, led by Prime Minister Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar, tasked with ensuring transparency and fairness in the elections, faces consistent accusations of favouring pro-military political parties.
Jahangir criticized election authorities for rejecting PTI candidates’ nominations on “flimsy grounds” and denounced the crackdown against the party, which includes arrests, lack of transparency in charges, crackdowns on peaceful assembly, enforced disappearances, and large-scale rejection of candidates’ nomination papers. Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at Washington’s Wilson Center, warned against sidelining the PTI, highlighting its mass support and popularity. He emphasized that excluding the party would not contribute to political stability in Pakistan and suggested that the international community may find elections without the PTI acceptable, as long as they are relatively stable and free of violence.
The rejection of Khan's nomination papers and the apparent wholesale rejection of PTI candidates have fueled fears that the upcoming elections might turn into an undemocratic farce. The English-language Dawn newspaper labelled the cancellation of a mainstream party through arrests, intimidation, and technicalities at the pre-poll stage as contradictory to democracy. The history of Pakistan is marred by multiple military coups, with the military assuming power directly or indirectly several times. The most notable instances occurred in 1958, 1977, and 1999, each leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s political landscape. These coups disrupted democratic processes and hindered the country’s development. The military’s interventions have perpetuated a cycle of political instability, suppressing democratic voices and undermining the rule of law. The imposition of martial law and the suspension of the constitution during such periods have raised concerns about the military’s influence on governance. The tension between constitutional rule and the influence of the military underscores the challenges faced by the nation in establishing a stable and enduring democratic system. As Pakistan navigates its path forward, addressing these historical issues is crucial to strengthening its democratic institutions and fostering political stability.
Pakistan for now has turned into an authoritarian state where the rule of law has been thrown to the wind. The Supreme court and other institutions of the country have been hijacked by army. The stage has been set for biggest election rigging in the history of Pakistan. Political opponents are treated as opposing soldiers of enemy state. Their nomination papers are being maliciously and shamelessly rejected. While whole world is witnessing this farce in the name of democracy, Pakistanis too are closely watching it. The elections rigging will have implications beyond the PTI’s defeat, it may herald a protracted bloodbath and civilian unrest in Pakistan.
Nasir Khuehami is the National Convenor of J&K Students Association. He is Pursuing Masters in Conflict Analysis and Peacebuilding from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. He can be reached out at khuehamiayaan@gmail.com.