A New Era in Pakistani Politics
As of February 21, 2024, Pakistan finds itself at a crossroads as a coalition government between two prominent political parties -- the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) -- has been formed. This alliance marks the culmination of nearly two weeks of negotiations following Pakistan’s general election, which failed to produce a decisive winner. While candidates affiliated with Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party secured the most seats, none of the major parties obtained a parliamentary majority.
The coalition’s leadership is set with Shehbaz Sharif assuming the role of prime minister, while Asif Ali Zardari is anticipated to be named president. Shehbaz Sharif, a prominent figure within the Sharif dynasty and the younger brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, will be serving as prime minister for the second time. The parliamentary no-confidence vote that ousted Imran Khan, Sharif’s predecessor, was driven by mounting public dissatisfaction and allegations of governance failures. His leadership will be closely observed.
In the wake of his removal from office, Imran Khan has faced legal scrutiny, resulting in his incarceration on corruption charges. Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister, which began in 2018 after his party won a significant victory in the general elections, was marked by both achievements and controversies. While he spearheaded initiatives aimed at addressing corruption, improving governance, and bolstering Pakistan’s economy, his leadership also faced criticism for alleged authoritarian tendencies and failure to deliver on key promises. The turning point came in April 2022 when Khan was ousted from power following the parliamentary no-confidence vote. In late January and early February 2024, Khan was sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison. The imprisonment of Imran Khan has elicited mixed reactions within Pakistan and abroad. While some view it as a necessary step towards accountability and upholding the rule of law, others perceive it as politically motivated persecution orchestrated by Khan's adversaries.
This power-sharing arrangement of the coalition government signifies a significant shift in Pakistan’s political landscape, with the PML-N and PPP coming together to govern. However, the formation of the coalition is not without controversy. The PTI has accused PML-N and PPP of election malpractice, alleged widespread vote-rigging, and manipulation. These claims have further heightened political tensions.
Adding to the political turmoil is the recent resignation of Rawalpindi commissioner, Liaqat Ali Chattha. The Pakistani bureaucrat made explosive allegations, implicating the chief election commissioner and the chief justice, in what he described as "poll-rigging" during the February 8th elections. Chattha resigned from his post, citing his role in the alleged wrongdoing, and taking full responsibility for the actions. His statements revealed shocking details of electoral manipulation, where candidates who were initially losing the elections were purportedly orchestrated to emerge as winners. In his resignation announcement, Chattha explicitly accused the chief election commissioner and the chief justice of being “completely involved” in the malpractice. Chattha’s revelations have sparked widespread protests, particularly among supporters of the incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who claims that the polls were rigged against his party. Despite Chattha’s allegations, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has refuted any direct involvement in election manipulation. Nevertheless, calls for further investigation persist, highlighting the importance of upholding electoral integrity in Pakistan’s democratic process.
Beyond the political realm, Pakistan faces pressing economic challenges. With approximately 40 percent of the population living below the poverty line and inflation exceeding 30 percent, the country’s economic stability hangs in the balance. This rampant inflation destroys purchasing power, particularly among low-income households, worsening poverty, and inequality. Moreover, Pakistan grapples with a burgeoning external debt burden, with almost $125 million due. Foreign reserves have dwindled, and the currency has depreciated sharply against the US dollar, exacerbating the situation. The new coalition government inherits a daunting task of navigating these economic hurdles. Negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a new program becomes imperative to address the acute economic crisis. Additionally, addressing rising insurgency and ensuring security across the country remains a critical priority. The economic challenges facing Pakistan necessitate urgent and decisive policy responses to stabilise the economy and foster sustainable growth. Key priorities include implementing prudent fiscal and monetary policies to contain inflationary pressures, promoting investment and entrepreneurship to stimulate job creation, and enhancing revenue mobilisation efforts to reduce dependence on external borrowing.
Image courtesy of Israr Syed via Flickr, ©2019. Some rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the wider St. Andrews Foreign Affairs Review team.
