In a surprising turn of events, results of the Parliamentary Elections in Pakistan have defied expectations, signalling a setback for the South Asian country’s powerful military. Former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif ‘s party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has trailed behind the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by another former Prime Minister Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi. As of 12:30am (local time) on February 10, 2024, the PTI secured at least 90 seats in the National Assembly, with PML-N trailing with 69 confirmed seats.

This unexpected outcome challenges the attempt of the Pakistani Army to secure a victory for its preferred party and underscores Imran Khan’s enduring popularity. Despite a military-led campaign to neutralise Khan and his party, including arrests and symbol restrictions, the PTI has demonstrated a resilient support base. In Punjab (the country’s most populous province), the PTI and PML-N candidates were neck and neck, highlighting the tight race.

However, concerns arise over the delayed release of results, with the Election Commission attributing it to a “lack of connectivity” for security reasons. Human Rights groups and analysts raise apprehensions of potential military tampering, questioning the legitimacy of the incoming government.

PTI supporters took to the streets, expressing frustration with the slow result release and asserting their resistance against possible manipulation. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif, despite trailing in the polls, delivered a victory speech, inviting all political parties to join in forming a Coalition Government.

The election, marred by mobile phone service suspensions, reflects a broader sentiment against military interference and dissatisfaction with the previous Coalition Government’s handling of inflation. This unexpected electoral landscape indicates a shift in Pakistani Politics, challenging the Army’s historical dominance.

Talk Diplomacy published this article on February 20, 2024.

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das