The recent parliamentary elections in Pakistan resulted in a victory for the party of the imprisoned former prime minister, Imran Khan. This outcome was a significant blow to the country’s powerful generals and has caused a major upheaval in the political system.
The military had anticipated that the election would bring an end to the political turmoil that has plagued the country since Khan’s removal in 2022. However, it has instead deepened the crisis, according to analysts.
This election marked a historic moment in Pakistan’s politics, as it saw a politician achieve such success without the backing of the military, despite facing their opposition.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (P.T.I.), led by Imran Khan, secured approximately 97 seats in the National Assembly, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (P.M.L.N.), the military’s preferred party, won at least 73 seats. This outcome has set the stage for a race between the two parties to form a coalition government.
Leaders of Khan’s party have announced plans to challenge the results of several races that they believe were rigged by the military. They have also threatened peaceful protests if the remaining results are not released by Sunday.
The success of Khan’s party has defied the military’s expectations, as they had attempted to suppress his party’s influence through various means, including the arrest of candidates and intimidation of supporters.
Following the election, Khan’s party released a victory speech using a computer-generated voice to simulate his own, as he has been imprisoned since August. The party’s unexpected success has disrupted the traditional political dynamics in Pakistan, where the military has historically held significant influence over civilian leadership.
The election results have demonstrated that Khan remains a formidable force in Pakistani politics, despite his imprisonment and removal from office.
The outcome of the election has far-reaching implications for Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation of 240 million people, and has challenged the military’s longstanding dominance in the country’s political landscape.
The success of Khan’s party has upended the traditional political playbook in Pakistan, signaling a shift in the balance of power between the military and civilian leadership.
2024-02-10 13:41:35
Post from www.nytimes.com