In the wake of Thursday’s polls in Pakistan, a political whirlwind is taking the country by storm. Despite Imran Khan’s loyalists securing the majority of seats, rival parties are in negotiations to form a government. This development has triggered a wave of protests by Khan’s supporters in key cities across Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar.
Supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, while few in numbers due to heavy police presence, made their voices heard. Alleging vote rigging, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan called for peaceful protests, emphasizing the need to “protect the mandate of the people.” This call to action follows a contentious election that saw Khan’s candidates win the most seats, albeit falling short of a majority.
Political Maneuvers and Emerging Alliances
Political analysts speculate that the powerful military, known for its past clashes with Khan, is supporting a government formation by Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party. Despite failing to reach an initial agreement, Sharif’s party formed a working pact with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, a secular-based party from Karachi.
Interestingly, Khan’s enduring popularity among the nation’s 129 million registered voters remains evident in the strong performance of the independents. Inflation is skyrocketing at 28% in Pakistan, making it the fastest in Asia. The support for Khan’s candidates demonstrates the disillusionment of young voters and the middle class with the status quo, indicating a yearning for an alternative.
The Role of the Military
Despite its history of direct and indirect involvement in Pakistani politics, the nation’s military has recently pledged to abstain from political affairs. However, many believe that the military is backing either Nawaz Sharif or his brother Shehbaz to lead the government. This belief has led to an appeal for unity from Army Chief Asim Munir, urging all political parties to reciprocate with political maturity.
The military’s alleged involvement in politics has been a point of contention for Khan, who accused the generals of conspiring with other political parties to oust him from power in April 2022. He blamed the military for the ensuing crackdown against him and his group, charges that the military has repeatedly denied.
Economic Impact and Future Government Stability
The ongoing political uncertainty and potential for violence could further burden an economy already grappling with multiple challenges. The current International Monetary Fund bailout program is set to expire in March, suggesting that the incoming leader will have to negotiate a new deal.
“Irregularities and a delay in election results could start a legal battle and jeopardize the economic outlook in the short run,” warns Adnan Khan, head of international sales at Intermarket Securities Ltd. He further suggests that the new government would likely be a weak coalition tasked with negotiating with the IMF.
As this political saga unfolds, it remains to be seen how the power dynamics will shift, and what implications this will have for Pakistan’s future governance and economic stability. Amidst the chaos, the resilience of the democratic process is being put to the test in one of South Asia’s most influential nations.
