News Analysis India

Tag: Nawaz Sharif

  • Who Is Mian Javed Latif? Senior Nawaz Sharif Party Leader Who Has Called Shehbaz A 'Puppet' Of Military | world news

    LAHORE: A senior Pakistani politician has stirred a big controversy by making a bold statement against the incumbent PML-N government in the country that has caught everyone's attention. Mian Javed Latif – the man at the center of the controversy – is a close aide of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif. He has suggested that the current government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is merely a “puppet” regime, indirectly implying that the military holds the reins.

    Latif, a stalwart from Nawaz Sharif's PML-N and a former federal minister, made these remarks during a television interview. He pointed out that the PML-N failed to secure a simple majority in the National Assembly during the recent general elections. Latif asserted that the current government is effectively controlled by the military, regardless of which party appears to be in power.

    PML-N Mum Over 'Puppet' Remark

    Despite the significance of Latif's statements, the PML-N has not officially responded. This is the first time a senior leader from the ruling party has openly acknowledged the government's status as a “puppet setup” orchestrated by the military.

    In the aftermath of the February polls, where independent candidates supported by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged victorious, the PML-N formed a coalition with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other smaller parties. This alliance secured key positions in the government, including the prime ministerial and presidential posts.

    Allegations Of Rigging In Pakistan Polls

    Imran Khan and PTI have persistently accused the military establishment of electoral manipulation, labeling the elections as massively rigged. Pakistan has a history of military involvement in governance, either directly or indirectly.

    During the television interview, Latif stood by his remarks despite being questioned by the anchor. He insisted that he was speaking the truth, maintaining his stance even when prompted about potential personal motivations.

    Who Is Mian Javed Latif?

    Mian Javed Latif, born on January 1, 1964, in Sheikhupura, is a seasoned Pakistani politician. He has been associated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) since 2008 and has consistently won elections, serving as a member of the National Assembly. Latif comes from a politically active family background, with his father also a politician. He has held various positions within the PML-N and has contested and won seats in multiple general elections, displaying a strong electoral track record.

    Latif has faced controversies despite his political successes, including a public altercation with fellow politician Murad Saeed in 2017. However, he later apologized for his actions. Mian Javed Latif's recent comments have sparked debate and scrutiny within Pakistani political circles, highlighting the ongoing tensions between civilian leadership and military influence in the country's governance.

  • Pakistan Elections 2024: With No Clear Winner In Sight, Political Parties Begin ‘Wheeling And Dealing’ world news

    Islamabad: The recent elections in Pakistan have left the political landscape in uncertainty, with no clear winner emerging as the counting of votes nears completion. Despite the lack of a decisive outcome, major political parties have already begun negotiations and discussions in an attempt to secure enough support to form governments at both the national and provincial levels.

    PML-N Takes Initiative

    Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has assigned his brother, former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to initiate talks with key parties like the PPP and MQM-P to explore possibilities of forming alliances.

    Previous Coalition Dynamics

    Interestingly, the PML-N and PPP were previously part of the ruling coalition government following Imran Khan’s removal in April 2022. However, tensions between the two parties escalated during the election campaign, complicating the path to coalition-building.

    Independent Candidates In The Lead

    Preliminary results suggest that independent candidates, largely supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), are leading on a significant number of seats. This has added complexity to the political equation, requiring parties to negotiate and strategize effectively.

    Coalition Building Efforts

    Shehbaz Sharif has reportedly met with PPP leaders – Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto – at the residence of Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss the election results and potential post-election scenarios, indicating a willingness to explore coalition possibilities.

    MQM-P’s Exploring All Options

    The MQM-P, initially inclined to support Nawaz Sharif, is reassessing its options in light of the electoral outcomes. The party’s convener, Siddiqui has extended invitations to independent candidates to join forces, signaling a shift in strategy.

    Delay In Declaring Election Results

    While political manoeuvring unfolds, concerns have been raised regarding the fairness of the electoral process. Criticisms from international actors, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, highlight issues such as violence, alleged lack of fairness, and disruptions like internet outages during the voting process.

    Imran Khan’s Victory Speech

    Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, despite facing criticism over the handling of the elections, has released a statement claiming victory, citing a high voter turnout as evidence of the failure of his opponents’ strategies. In his AI-enabled voice, Khan said that the ‘London Plan’ of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif failed with the massive turnout of voters on polling day.

    In a related development, Imran Khan was granted bail in 12 cases related to the May 9 riots by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi, according to The Express Tribune. Additionally, Khan’s close aide and the former foreign minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmud Qureshi was also granted bail in 13 cases, the daily reported.

    Imran was also granted bail in the GHQ and Army Museum attacks, with the court requiring a PKR0.1 million surety bond in all 12 cases. The bail applications were considered by ATC Judge Malik Ejaz Asif. The court ruled that there was no rationale for keeping the PTI founder in custody, and all suspects in the May 9 cases were granted bail.

    With no clear winner emerging from the elections, Pakistan finds itself in a phase of political uncertainty and negotiation, as parties strive to form viable coalitions amid concerns about the electoral process’s integrity.

  • Army Chief Backs Nawaz Sharif’s Call For Coalition Government As Pakistan Faces Hung Parliament | world news

    New Delhi: As the general elections in Pakistan resulted in no clear majority for any party, the country’s army chief Gen Asim Munir on Saturday supported former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s proposal to form a coalition government with other democratic forces. Sharif, who has the backing of the Pakistan Army, made the appeal on Friday to overcome the economic and political challenges facing the country. He is a three-time former prime minister and leads the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, which secured 73 seats in the National Assembly.

    The largest share of 102 seats went to independents allied with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of Imran Khan, another former prime minister who is currently in jail. Khan’s party has declared victory in the elections.

    Other parties that won seats in the National Assembly are the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with 54, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) with 17 and 11 seats for smaller parties. The Election Commission of Pakistan announced the results of 257 seats out of 265. One seat was not contested due to the death of a candidate.

    A party needs 133 seats out of 265 to form a government in the National Assembly. A simple majority of 169 seats out of 336, including the reserved seats for women and minorities, is also required.

    The general election was marred by accusations of rigging, violence and a nationwide mobile phone blackout. The counting of votes is still ongoing. In a statement on Saturday, Gen Munir said that a unified government of all democratic forces would reflect the diversity and pluralism of Pakistan.

    He said that the purpose of elections and democracy was to serve the people of Pakistan and not to create winners and losers. The Pakistan Army, which has ruled the country for more than half of its 75 years of history, has a strong influence on security and foreign policy matters.

    He said that Pakistan needed a stable and healing leadership to move away from the politics of chaos and division that was not suitable for a progressive country of 250 million people. He said that elections were a way to determine the will of the people and not a zero-sum game.

    He also said that the people of Pakistan had shown their trust in the Constitution of Pakistan and it was the duty of all political parties to respond with political maturity and unity.

    On the other hand, Khan, 71, claimed victory in the general elections in an AI-generated audio-video message on Saturday. He thanked the people for voting for PTI and urged them to protect the integrity of their votes from the establishment.

  • Pakistan Elections: Re-Polling Ordered At Several Booths Amid ‘Rigging’ Claims | world news

    New Delhi: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to conduct re-elections at various polling places across the country after verifying complaints of voting material being snatched and damaged, as reported by Geo News. The election authority is in the last phase of announcing the results vote as the compilation process has been going on for 48 hours, after overcoming all the challenges in holding nationwide elections on February 8.

    Geo News reported that the commission acted on the complaints from different parts of the country about incidents of voting material being snatched and damaged at various polling stations, which led the local election officials to suspend the voting processes. The top electoral body has recently announced that re-polling will be held at multiple polling stations on February 15.

    The results from these polling stations will be declared after the re-polling event is over. The following is the list of constituencies and the number of polling stations where re-polling was ordered, according to Geo News.

    NA-88 Khushab-II – Punjab Re-polling will be done at 26 polling stations after voting materials were destroyed by a mob of angry people

    PS-18 Ghotki-I –Sinh Re-polling will take place in two polling stations of the constituency after voting material was snatched by unknown individuals on February 8.

    PK-90 Kohat-I – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The ECP has ordered re-polling at 25 polling stations in the constituency due to voting material being damaged by terrorists on election day.

    The electoral body has also asked the regional election commissioner to submit a probe report within three days about the complaints of vandalism at a polling station in NA-242 Karachi Keamari-I-Sindh.

    Earlier, several parties with previous parliamentary roles had expressed doubts about the reliability of the results due to delays, despite the election commission’s assurances of releasing the official results on time. Both the caretaker government and the top electoral body have denied the allegations of intentional delay in compiling and releasing the final results.

  • Pakistan Elections: Imran Khan Loses Despite Winning? Army Pulls Strings As New PM ‘Selected’ world news

    New Delhi: Two days have passed since the elections in Pakistan, but the picture of the new government is not yet clear. The suspense on who will be the next PM remains. Despite being in jail, Imran Khan’s charisma in Pakistani politics remains intact, and the election results have also testified to this. Imran may be ahead in numbers, but Nawaz is trying to spoil the game of the mandate with the help of the army. After the army’s approval, the coalition government in Pakistan is gaining momentum.

    Bilawal Bhutto can play the role of kingmaker in this entire political equation of Pakistan. Nawaz’s dream of ascending the throne of power can be shattered without Bilawal’s PPP alliance. According to sources, this time Bilawal Bhutto wants to play the role of king rather than kingmaker. However, the army is the last truth of Pakistan. It is being said that this time Nawaz Sharif’s coronation is fixed in the army’s slip. In such a situation, Nawaz’s side can be heavy on Bilawal.

    The results of 255 out of 265 seats in Pakistan have come. 101 independents supported by Imran Khan’s PTI have won. At the same time, Nawaz Sharif’s PMLN has got 77 seats. Bilawal Bhutto’s PPP is at the third position, which has won 54 seats so far. After this, Altaf Hussain’s MQM-P is at number four, which has 17 seats.

    How Imran Khan Lost Even After Winning?

    On the one hand, the military government in Pakistan is preparing to seat its new pawn on the prime minister’s chair, while on the other hand, a new atmosphere is being created in the whole of Pakistan in support of Imran Khan, because Imran has lost even after winning. The meaning is clear that what Army Chief Munir wanted is happening in Pakistan.

    The army has trapped Imran Khan in its googly with carrot and stick. As per the instructions of Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif met Bilawal Bhutto’s father Asif Ali Zardari and Maulana Fazlur Rehman. It is possible that Nawaz’s party PML-N and Bilawal’s party PPP may come together to form a new government. That is, despite scoring a century in the Pakistani Political League, Imran Khan has lost the match.

    Arithmetics Of Forming The Government

    It is clear from the results that no party has got a full majority, so now all the parties are engaged in maneuvering to form the government. Nawaz Sharif is trying to form the government at any cost, while Bilawal wants to sit on the throne. So what can be the mathematics of forming a government?

    To form a new government in Pakistan, any party needs to win 133 out of 265 seats in the National Assembly, but no party has been able to touch this figure on its own. In such a situation, Nawaz’s Muslim League and Bilawal’s People’s Party are ready to come together to form the government.

    So far, Nawaz’s PML-N has won 73 seats, while Bilawal’s PPP has won 54 seats. Whereas, Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F has won only 2 seats. After the alliance, the total number of seats is 129 and 133 are required for majority. So 5 more seats are needed, while the results of 10 seats are yet to come.

    Now if the alliance does not get a full majority, then they will need independent candidates. Nawaz Sharif has already made preparations for this. He reached out to the public even before the full results came and started trying to woo the Imran-backed candidates.

    Where Did Imran Khan Go Wrong?

    Contrary to the expectations of PMLN and PPP, Imran’s supporters are overjoyed and are making fun of Nawaz and Bilawal through memes. Even though Imran is in jail, his party PTI claims that Imran Khan will decide the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. PTI may claim that PM Imran Khan will decide, but it is certain that the army in Pakistan will dampen PTI’s hopes, as Imran and the army are currently bitter enemies.

    Civil War-Like Situation In Pakistan

    While Nawaz and Bilawal are busy trying to form a government, Pakistan has started to simmer after the results. Imran Khan’s supporters are on the streets and are openly challenging the army. The question now is whether the outcome of the elections in Pakistan is a civil war, because what was claimed for Pakistan before the elections seems to be coming true.

    Videos of rigging have surfaced. Pictures of violence have emerged after the results, which are proving the prophecy to be true. The International Crisis Group had claimed before the elections that if there was rigging in the elections, a civil war could break out in Pakistan.

  • Imran Khan’s PTI-Backed Candidates Spring Surprise; Nawaz Sharif Loses From Mansehra | world news

    The counting of votes is underway in Pakistan for the country’s national and provincial elections. The polls did not bring good news for Nawaz Sharif who is said to have the backing of the Pakistani army. While Sharif was expecting a win, in an unexpected turn of events, independent candidates receiving support from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) appeared to be gaining momentum in the initial results released late on Thursday, creating ripples throughout the political landscape. This surprising development unfolded despite the continued imprisonment of the party’s founder, Imran Khan, and amid concerns about an uneven playing field.

    The situation is such that Nawaz Sharif, who contested two seats – Lahore and Mansehra – faced defeat from one of them. Sharif won the Lahore seat but lost to PTI-backed independent candidate Yasmin Rashid from the Mansehra seat.


    Despite assurances from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the timely disclosure of election results, not a single constituency’s result was announced by 2 o’clock, causing frustration and heightened uncertainty in an already tense political environment. The results were to be declared by 2 am but the same has not been achieved even by 1 pm today. Since the counting was halted, PTI alleged rigging of votes in favor of PML-N.

    However, in the early hours of Friday, as a limited number of results started to emerge, supporters of all PTI-backed independent candidates gathered at the party’s central secretariat, initiating celebrations labeled as victory. PTI Chairman Gauhar Khan asserted that their candidates were leading on 150 National Assembly seats. Sharif’s PML-N and Bilawal Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party were leading on 47 seats each.

    These projections came as a shock for the party of three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. However, similar to the ECP, the PML-N also maintained a reserved stance without making any public statements. Voters will elect 266 candidates to the Pakistan National Assembly, who will later, by a majority vote, elect the next prime minister.

  • Pakistan Election Results Latest Update: Imran Khan’s PTI Leads; Nawaz Sharif’s PMLN, Bilawal Bhutto’s PPP Neck And Neck; Khan’s Party Alleges Fraud world news

    In Pakistan, the counting of votes is underway after a midnight drama when the counting was halted at a time when Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf backed independent candidates are leading on over 154 seats as claimed by the party leaders. While Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N was leading at around 50 seats, their numbers increased after the counter restarted and hence the PTI alleged manipulation of votes in favor of Nawaz.

    While PML-N and Bilawal Bhutto’s PPP are leading on around 47 seats each as per trends, PTI has claimed that those trying to play with public mandate won’t succeed. Former Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif who is also Nawaz Sharif’s brother won from the Lahore seat.

    Imran far ahead in trends, Nawaz’s game over? #Pakistan #PakistanElectionResult #ImranKhan #PTI | @JournoPranay pic.twitter.com/z5eIZgAN8b — Zee News (@ZeeNews) February 9, 2024

    The main contests are being seen between candidates backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the last national election, and the PML-N of Sharif, who is being backed by the powerful military. With counting continuing today, a clear picture was likely to emerge only later in the day.

    A party needs 133 seats in parliament for a simple majority and if the trends are to be believed, Imran Khan may cause an upset. Sharif, considered by many observers to be a strong candidate, dismissed talk of an unclear result.

    There was a significant deployment of troops across the country, particularly at polling stations, to ensure security during an election. The temporary closure of borders with Iran and Afghanistan suggests a comprehensive effort to maintain stability. Unfortunately, despite these measures, there were tragic incidents involving bomb blasts, grenade attacks, and shootings by militants, resulting in the loss of lives, including two children.

    The specific incidents mentioned include the killing of five police officers in a bomb blast and firing on a patrol in the Kulachi area of ​​Dera Ismail Khan district in the northwest. Additionally, two children lost their lives in a blast outside a women’s polling station in Balochistan.

    United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed concern about the violence and the suspension of mobile communications services, his spokesperson said in an e-mailed statement.

  • Explained: Nawaz Sharif Or Bilawal Bhutto – Who Is Better Or India-Pakistan Relation | world news

    New Delhi: Pakistan is holding its 12th national general elections today on February 8, to elect a new government amid multiple crises. The country of 241 million people, which possesses nuclear weapons, faces political and economic turmoil, as well as the threat of terrorism. The outcome of the elections will have implications for Pakistan’s relations with India, its neighbor and rival.

    The main contenders in the Pakistan elections are Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). PML-N is expected to be the largest party, followed by PPP, PTI, and other parties.

    Imran Khan, the former prime minister, is still in prison, while Nawaz Sharif is seen as the frontrunner for the top job. PTI is running without its famous cricket ‘bat’ symbol, after the Supreme Court confirmed the election commission’s decision to take it away.

    How India Views Pakistan Elections?

    India, which is also heading for its Lok Sabha elections by May, could pose more problems for Pakistan’s new government if the Narendra Modi-led government wins a strong majority. New Delhi has been keeping a close watch on its neighbour’s activities before the elections, especially the role of the Pakistan Army in picking the next prime minister.

    India has repeatedly expressed its worries about Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism, leading the Narendra Modi-led government to take a tougher approach on national security issues.

    Army’s Blessing For Nawaz Sharif

    The Pakistan Army’s sway over the country’s politics is well-known, with accusations of election rigging to favor its chosen candidates. In the 2018 elections, the Pakistan Army effectively “picked” Imran Khan, a former cricket star-turned-politician, to replace Nawaz Sharif as the leader of the PML(N).

    Imran Khan became the prime minister after Nawaz Sharif’s conviction, but Nawaz Sharif was later allowed to leave the country, and came back in October 2023, when all of a sudden all the cases against him disappeared. Experts have suggested that this time, Nawaz Sharif has the army’s support.

    In the Pakistan election 2024, Pakistan Army chief general Asim Munir will strengthen his control over the political leadership of the country. The elections are important as for the first time in Pakistan’s history, the popularity of a civilian leader (Imran Khan) challenged the army’s dominance.

    Experts’ Take On Pak Elections

    Former Indian diplomat KP Fabian has said that the elections in Pakistan will be neither free nor fair, and that the real power will be held by the army chief. He said that whoever becomes prime minister, the army chief will have the final say. He also said that Pakistan is in deep disarray politically, economically, and socially because of terrorism.

    He criticized the imprisonment of Imran Khan and his wife, saying that the charges against him do not stand scrutiny. He also said that the justice system in Pakistan has disappeared.

    Meanwhile, Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria has said that the elections are the most predictable and the most rigged, because the army is manipulating the process to get the government it wants. He said that it is widely expected that Nawaz Sharif and his PML-N party will be the army’s choice. He said that this is fairly accurate.

  • Pakistan Elections 2024 Voting Exit Poll Results: Date, Time, Parties, Other Details | world news

    Pakistan is heading to the polls today amid a backdrop of persistent polarization and violence, presenting significant challenges for the nation. To ensure a close eye on security arrangements nationwide, the Interior Ministry of Pakistan has established a ‘control room’ for monitoring security during the voting process.

    Majority Mark

    Any party in Pakistan will need 169 seats in the 336-member National Assembly. While voters directly elect 266 members, there are 70 reserved seats – 60 for women and 10 for non-Muslims – allotted according to the number of seats won by each party.

    Voting and Exit Poll Results Time

    Voting will take place between 8am to 5pm. On the other hand, the Election Commission of Pakistan has allowed publishing of the exit poll results after the voting concludes. Therefore, the exit poll results will be out after 5pm this evening.

    Sharif Vs Khan Vs Bhutto

    Nawaz Sharif, the influential leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), is aiming for an unprecedented fourth term. His return to active politics follows four years of exile in London due to corruption charges. Upon returning in October, most of his convictions were overturned, enabling him to participate in the elections.

    In contrast, Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and a popular leader, is currently incarcerated in Adiala jail on various charges. He has been disqualified from participating in the polls and is facing sentences in multiple cases. The Pakistan Supreme Court has also upheld the Election Commission’s decision to revoke PTI’s iconic ‘bat’ symbol.

    Amidst heightened political tensions and the ongoing economic crisis, Nawaz Sharif is focusing on articulating his vision for addressing the complex challenges facing Pakistan. He has pledged to establish “good relations” with India and emphasized a lack of desire for revenge.

    Sharif’s primary competitor is Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 35-year-old Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Bilawal, the son of the late PM Benazir Bhutto, positions himself as a youthful alternative to the seasoned Sharif.

    The PPP’s election manifesto promises to double the real incomes of wage earners by prioritizing growth, investments, and job creation. It focuses on addressing poverty, providing facilities to the working and lower class, and outlines plans for healthcare, education, food security, and women’s empowerment.

    Interestingly, PML-N and PPP were part of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance, which assumed power after the removal of Imran Khan in April 2022. However, leading up to the polls, both parties have experienced conflicts.

    Political violence has escalated ahead of election day, with two blasts in separate locations in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Wednesday. Balochistan, plagued by decades of insurgency, witnessed the unfortunate incidents that resulted in at least 30 deaths and 40 injuries.

  • Pakistan General Elections 2024: A Crucible Of Change Amidst Power Struggles And Emerging Alliances | world news

    New Delhi: As Pakistan approaches its 2024 general elections, the political landscape reveals a complex tapestry of power struggles, unexpected alliances, and grassroots movements that promise to make these elections one of the most interesting in the nation’s history. In the heated political arena of Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, set to take place on feb 8th, 2024 to elect the members of the 16th National Assembly, a diverse array of political parties and candidates are in the fray, making it one of the most contested. elections in recent history.

    With over twelve political parties registered, the electoral battlefield showcases a wide spectrum of ideologies and regional interests. The number of candidates vying for seats is staggering, with thousands of individuals, including a significant number of independents, contesting across the nation.

    Among these are the prominent parties: the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by Nawaz Sharif; the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), spearheaded by Bilawal Bhutto; and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), under the leadership of Imran Khan, with a notable presence of their candidates even amidst challenging circumstances.

    Shehbaz Sharif, senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former chief minister of Pakistan, finds himself in a precarious position. Experts opine that despite having been brought into power with the establishment/army’s backing, his influence across Pakistan seems to be waning. His campaign, focused on the government’s achievements before 2018, conveniently sidesteps discussions of the subsequent period marked by high inflation under his brother’s governance.

    Sharif’s strategic decision to contest from Kasur, abandoning his traditional stronghold in Lahore, is a testament to the shifting political sands. Interestingly, despite the apparent pressure from the military establishment in the past, Sharif refrains from criticizing army officers, a move that has not sat well with the public.

    On the other side of the political spectrum, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto, is gaining momentum. For the first time in three decades, a Bhutto is contesting from Lahore – a symbolic move since the PPP was founded in the house of stalwart leader Mubashar Hassan from this very city. Bilawal’s campaign is a clarion call to the workers of PTI and the general populace, positioning the electoral battle as one between the ‘Lion’ (PML-N’s symbol) and the ‘Arrow’ (PPP’s symbol). He vows to fight against the oppression and challenges Sharif’s leadership.

    The establishment’s apparent target, however, is the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Imran Khan. In an unprecedented move, many of PTI’s top leaders, including Khan, find themselves behind bars, and the party’s election symbol, the cricket bat, has been controversially retracted. Despite these setbacks, more than 2000 PTI candidates are contesting as independents or from PTI symbol across 800 seats. The party’s campaign, stifled in physical spaces, has found a vibrant life on social media, with virtual rallies and songs in support of Khan resonating with the younger demographic.

    In an inspiring turn of events, the wives and mothers of incarcerated PTI leaders have stepped up to contest the elections. This surge in female candidacy, symbolized by Usman Dar’s mother’s Rehana Dar passionate campaign, underscores a pivotal moment for women in Pakistan’s political arena. She is contesting against Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s former defense minister. The slogan she gave to the public “Maa Tujeh Salam” (Mother, I salute you) is emotionally resonating with the public and creating a stronger connection with her. Usman Dar, regarded as one of Khan’s trusted aides.

    Qaisra Parvez, the spouse of Pervez Elahi, a senior leader in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Chief Minister of Punjab, is contesting the elections from the N-64 Gujrat constituency. Additionally, Ruba Umar, wife of Umar Dar, is a candidate in the PP-46 constituency. This election marks a historic first in Pakistan, as the women from the Chaudhry family are stepping directly into the political arena. They are not only aiming to uphold their family’s honor but are also taking a firm stance against the establishment.

    As the elections draw near, experts analyze voter turnout as a crucial factor. The high voter turnout in the recent by-elections in Punjab, where PTI secured 17 out of 18 seats, indicates a possible tilt in favor of PTI. However, there are concerns that efforts might be made to suppress voter turnout, which could lead to a more evenly distributed outcome among parties and benefit the establishment. Experts opine that this scenario could pave the way for a coalition government, potentially uniting Bilawal Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in governance.

    The 2024 general elections in Pakistan are more than a political contest; They represent a pivotal test of the establishment’s influence and a significant challenge for Nawaz Sharif’s party. With the political landscape evolving rapidly, these elections promise to be a landmark event in Pakistan’s democratic journey.