This country has nuclear weapons and unstable borders, which is not a great combination. Sky's Cordelia Lynch explains the issues facing the country and how the outcome of the election could affect the rest of the world.
by Cordelia Lynch, Asia Correspondent @CordeliaSkyNews
Thursday 8 February 2024 03:44, United Kingdom
Polling stations have opened in Pakistan for the general election. But will the military be the real winner? And what can a cricket bat tell us about the current state of politics in this country?
Here's what you need to know about elections and why they matter.
Who are the candidates?
former cricket player imran khanThe PTI party leader remains the country's most popular politician, according to opinion polls.
But there's one big problem – he is in prison And he was even banned from competing.
Days before the vote, the former prime minister was sentenced to 10 years in prison for leaking state secrets, 14 years for corruption and seven years for “illegal” marriage. He maintains the charges are politically motivated.
Thousands of members of Mr. Khan's party have also been jailed. Those who remained were forced to run as independents.
But Khan's team is making the most of its media savvy to keep the rally active. tick tock and YouTube.he has also used artificial intelligence To hear his voice from behind bars.
However, the party's famous cricket bat symbol on the ballot paper was banned. About 40% of Pakistanis are illiterate, so they look for logos to vote for the right party.
Meanwhile, the military is looming large in this election. The military has great influence over Pakistan's political system, and candidates vying for power often seek the support of generals.
many years Nawaz Sharif He was a nuisance to the military. But now the man who has spent more time in power than anyone since 1990 is believed to be their candidate of choice.
He has spent time indoors due to his own corruption scandal and has just returned from exile in London. However, some in the international community consider him a safe and predictable pair.
Sharif is likely to form a coalition government with dynasty kingmaker Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
My son is 35 years old. former prime minister benazir The Oxford University graduate has pledged to double his pay and end the politics of hate.
Both Bhutto-Zardari and Sharif have vowed to restore some stability. Pakistan. Achieving that will not be easy in a country where so many people feel disenfranchised and disillusioned by dysfunctional politics.
What are the main issues?
The country has been in turmoil lately, from assassination attempts and protests to terrorist attacks and controversial cricket bats. And what happens in this country can affect other parts of the world.
Pakistan has nuclear weapons and unstable borders, which is not a great combination.
More than 1,500 people died terrorist attack in pakistan Last year, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal. This is an increase of over 50% compared to 2021.
The Pakistani government has condemned it. taliban Next door Afghanistan To hide armed groups. Pakistan began expelling 1.7 million Afghan refugees last year, along with other illegal foreigners.
after that, Indiaanother nuclear-armed state and a long-time rival of Pakistan.
Cross-border conflicts have been going on for decades. kashmir. Some believe that candidate Sharif could help normalize relations.
Pakistan also needs to maintain calm relations with Iran. Both launched missile attacks on each other. last month.
Sharif and Bhutto Zardari plan to hug More so in America. Things got very frosty when Mr. Khan, while prime minister, accused Washington of a plot to overthrow him.
But if the US wants a counterweight, China they will have to work hard. The Chinese government has become Pakistan's main ally.
There is also a major economic crisis. For ordinary people, the deteriorating economy and soaring inflation are hitting hard. If that doesn't work, your only option is to take it down.
The risk is that a combination of a government that lacks public support and people who believe the election was “rigged'' could cause massive social unrest.