Muslim League

No party won a majority in Pakistan’s contentious election. What happens now?

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Engineering, PTI, Internet, Woman, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, External debt, Government, IMF, MQM, PPP, Muslim League, PMLN, Politics, Negotiation, International Monetary Fund, Unemployment

With 98 of 264 seats, independents in Pakistan — who are backed by the imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party — won the most seats.

Key Points: 
  • With 98 of 264 seats, independents in Pakistan — who are backed by the imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party — won the most seats.
  • The Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN), with 76 seats, trailed behind PTI while the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won 54 seats.

Coalition speculation

  • There is speculation about a coalition between PMLN and the PPP, with PTI-backed independents joining either party or a smaller party to gain a share of the parliament’s remaining 70 seats.
  • Khan’s PTI leadership is reportedly convening to discuss the results, though it’s signalling it has no intention of forming a coalition government with the PPP and PMLN.
  • Each of them could possibly become the prime minister of a coalition government if an agreement is reached.

Crackdowns cause outrage

  • The unrest continues as citizens hold widespread protests across the country over allegations of vote rigging and vote counts that took as long as three days.
  • With a hung parliament, intensifying political instability and a scramble to attain power are in full force in Pakistan.

Military as the puppet-master

  • Read more:
    As Pakistani election looms, the military maintains its grip on the country's politics

    Using political repression, military generals have controlled the democratic process and electoral outcomes since Pakistan’s foundation in 1947.

  • Khan blamed the military for the overthrow of his democratically elected government in 2022 through a no-confidence vote.
  • In a country where the military reigns supreme, PTI’s performance upended most political predictions that anyone who crosses the military cannot win.

Will the military stand down?

  • Experts believe the military must now seek reconciliation with Khan rather than support an unsustainable coalition against the PTI.
  • Given the growing wave of discontent against the Pakistan army, it would be wise to protect itself against further accusations of political meddling.
  • It’s now up to Pakistan’s major political players to figure out who’s going to lead the country.


Noor Mirza does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Pakistan election: the military has long meddled in the country’s politics – this year will be no different

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Pakistan Muslim League, Pakistanis, Policy, Fear, Muslim League, Government, Politics, Exercise, Marriage, Corruption, PTI, British High Commission, International law, Violence, Disagreement, Engineering

Since being deposed in 2022, Khan has taken aim at the country’s powerful military, which has a long history of interfering in politics.

Key Points: 
  • Since being deposed in 2022, Khan has taken aim at the country’s powerful military, which has a long history of interfering in politics.
  • He has accused the army chief, the military establishment and the US government of conspiring against him.
  • But one thing is clear: the military has no intention of allowing a free and fair election on February 8.

Military dominance

  • In 2022, military expenditure accounted for nearly 18% of government spending in Pakistan, making the military the best-resourced institution in the country.
  • But, despite starting his time in office by being on “one page” with the military and ceding alarming amounts of political space to them, Khan’s relationship with the military soon turned sour.
  • He alleged that the then army chief held a grudge against him, that the military had arrested and tried to assassinate him, and that the military was “above the law”.
  • Hundreds of PTI supporters were arrested and the military vowed to “punish” them, handing many over to military courts in violation of international law.

Overdue polls

  • Many are sceptical of this claim and have questioned the ability of Pakistan’s electoral commission to conduct fair polls.
  • The lead up to the delayed polls has been marred by violence.
  • And, though the polls are expected to go ahead, the electoral commission has asked for security support from the military.


Sameen Mohsin Ali does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

How Imran Khan's populism has divided Pakistan and put it on a knife's edge

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Pakistan Muslim League (N), Arrest, Violence, Court of cassation, Politics, Inter-Services Intelligence, Intelligence, Anger, High court, Government, Stoke, Violent Reaction, Toshakhana, Islamabad High Court, Police, Democratic Alliance, City, Muslim League, Corruption, Social media, Mail, Tea, Drug, Film industry

Pakistan’s political crisis has worsened significantly since Khan lost a no-confidence motion in parliament and was ousted from power last April.

Key Points: 
  • Pakistan’s political crisis has worsened significantly since Khan lost a no-confidence motion in parliament and was ousted from power last April.
  • Since then, Khan’s populist rhetoric has stoked divisions in society, leading to extreme polarisation and the violent reactions we’ve seen this week.

Khan takes on the military

    • Khan wanted the then-chief of the agency, General Faiz Hameed, to continue in the role, while the military wanted someone else.
    • The military establishment issued a statement accusing Khan of fabricating the allegations.
    • Read more:
      Shooting of Imran Khan takes Pakistan into dangerous political waters

Graft allegations from the new government

    • Read more:
      What's the dispute between Imran Khan and the Pakistan government about?
    • In the so-called “Toshakhana case”, the government accused Khan and his wife of corruption for illegally keeping gifts given to them by other countries.
    • The case refers to the Toshakhana department in the government responsible for storing expensive gifts given to public officials.
    • Although the government has tightly controlled the mainstream media, Khan’s party has reached its supporters through social media to stoke dissent.

Khan’s arrest sparks violence

    • Khan’s lawyers challenged the legality of the arrest, but the High Court upheld it.
    • Within hours of the arrest, party workers and supporters gathered in many major cities and began openly attacking key military buildings.
    • It is very likely the protests will continue – and with that, increasing levels of violence – until Khan is released.