Vantage I Pakistan's going to polls but do its voters really get to choose?

The political landscape in Pakistan is currently ablaze with controversy and confusion as the country gears up for the upcoming elections on 8 February. The stage is set for a dramatic showdown, with two prominent figures, Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif, taking centre stage. However, recent developments in the election process have added a new layer of complexity, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the democratic process in Pakistan.

Imran Khan’s turbulent journey Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has had a tumultuous political journey. Once the prime minister from August 2018 to April 2022, Khan faced a political coup that ousted him from his premiership in 2022. Subsequently, he found himself entangled in a web of legal battles, leading to his imprisonment on corruption charges. Despite a suspension of his initial conviction, Khan remains behind bars, awaiting trial for other offences. Moreover, several senior members of the PTI faced imprisonment, with some distancing themselves from Khan while others remained loyal, enduring continued incarceration. Nawaz Sharif’s resurgence In a surprising turn of events, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has re-entered the political scene. Previously imprisoned for corruption and handed a lifetime ban from politics, Sharif sought refuge in London, citing medical issues. However, he returned to Pakistan in October, seamlessly resuming his political career. Sharif has been challenging his previous graft convictions, and the courts have been acquitting him, allowing him to navigate through the legal hurdles. Electoral twist Recent developments have thrown the electoral process into disarray. Over 90 per cent of the PTI candidates, including Imran Khan, were deemed ineligible to contest by the election commission. The rejection extended to key cities like Lahore and Mianwali, with uncertainty surrounding Khan’s candidacy in Islamabad. The primary reason behind this disqualification was Khan’s criminal conviction in August, accompanied by a five-year ban from politics. Despite the suspension of his initial conviction, the election body refused to accept Khan’s candidacy. A stark contrast arises when examining Nawaz Sharif’s situation. Despite a lifetime ban from politics, currently under appeal, the Pakistani election body accepted Sharif’s candidacy, notably from Lahore, a city that rejected Imran Khan. This decision was contested, and the courts will now determine Sharif’s eligibility. The apparent double standard in the treatment of Khan and Sharif raises concerns about the consistency and fairness of Pakistan’s election process. Adding to the complexity, many top leaders of PTI have also been barred from standing in the elections due to issues such as missing certificates or faulty paperwork. These individuals, with past parliamentary experience, now find themselves excluded, casting doubt on the efficiency of the electoral vetting process. As Pakistan hurtles towards election day, the nation is grappling with a political narrative rife with contradictions and uncertainties. The exclusion of key PTI candidates, the contrasting treatment of Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif, and the challenges faced by PTI leaders pose serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process. Whether the people of Pakistan will truly have a meaningful choice in this election remains to be seen, as the drama unfolds in the days leading up to 8 February. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .