Pakistan’s recent parliamentary elections have been criticized by international powers and watchdog organizations, with the US State Department and the European Union expressing concerns over the conduct of the vote. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry, however, has refuted these criticisms, insisting that the election was peaceful and successful, despite being held under unprecedented restrictions. The electoral process was complicated by the presence of serious security threats, primarily resulting from foreign-sponsored terrorism, which forced the government to suspend mobile phone services for the day to prevent terrorist incidents on polling day.
According to the Ministry, the suspension of mobile services was necessary to ensure a smooth and secure voting process, and not a nationwide internet shutdown as some critics have claimed. The suspension of mobile services was reportedly implemented because of concerns that mobile phone signals could be used to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or to coordinate terrorist attacks. The Ministry also emphasized that the election was not conducted in a vacuum, and that the government had to balance the need to hold a free and fair election with the need to protect the lives of citizens.
Despite the Ministry’s assurances, the criticism from international organizations remains. The US State Department, for instance, expressed concerns over the restrictions placed on the freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly during the election. Similarly, the European Union regretted the lack of a level playing field, citing the inability of some political actors to contest the elections. Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, also expressed similar sentiments, stating that the elections were not free and fair, and that the results were not genuine.
The elections did result in a coalition government being formed, with candidates backed by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party winning 100 out of the 266 seats up for grabs in the National Assembly. This outcome has forced Imran Khan’s main rival, three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, to announce plans to try to form a coalition government. Mr. Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League party captured 71 seats in the National Assembly.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party
However, violence has marred the electoral process in some parts of the country. The leader of a political party, Mohsin Dawar, was wounded and two police officers were killed in a clash in the country’s northwest. The violence broke out when Mr. Dawar and his supporters tried to march toward an army facility while protesting over delays in announcing the election result. This incident highlights the challenges that Pakistan is facing in ensuring a peaceful and democratic transition of power.
Despite these challenges, the Pakistani government remains committed to democracy and the rule of law. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that it was surprised by the negative tone of some of these statements, which neither take into account the complexity of the electoral process nor acknowledge the free and enthusiastic exercise of the right to vote by tens of millions of Pakistanis. The Ministry also emphasized that Pakistan has held general elections peacefully and successfully, despite facing serious security threats, and that these elections demonstrated the country’s commitment to democracy.
Pakistan’s recent parliamentary elections have been marred by criticism from international powers and watchdog organizations, who have expressed concerns over the conduct of the vote. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry has refuted these criticisms, insisting that the election was peaceful and successful, despite being held under unprecedented restrictions. The outcome of the elections has resulted in a coalition government being formed, with Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party emerging as the largest party. However, violence has marred the electoral process in some parts of the country, highlighting the challenges that Pakistan is facing in ensuring a peaceful and democratic transition of power.
