Nawaz Sharif’s Return: What’s in Store for Pakistan?
Pakistan’s former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, is set to return to the state from his self-imposed exile on October 21st, 2023. With the date of the next elections announced, this return will signify his return to the Pakistani political arena as well. Amna Asif speculates on the true agenda of the PML-N and what it means for the future of Pakistan.
Imran Khan’s Political Future
Imran Khan’s arrest in August, followed by PTI’s internal fragmentation, has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s political landscape.
Muhammad Shahbaz Rajper unravels the complexities of Khan’s legal battles, the challenges facing PTI, and the broader political turmoil in the country.
As Pakistan grapples with uncertainty, the story of Imran Khan’s political journey takes center stage, reflecting the ever-shifting dynamics of its politics.
Faith in Imran Khan
The nation’s in a frenzy, but the political elite could care less about the economic woes of the public.
In the absence of good governance by the current political leadership, Imran Khan and his party are continually raising the hopes of a better tomorrow.
Pakistan: A Personal History by Imran Khan
Authored by Pakistan’s former prime minister, Imran Khan, “Pakistan: A Personal History” offers the readers a look inside the beliefs, ideas, and personal life of the PTI leader. The book explains the history of Pakistan from Imran Khan’s perspective and introduces the people to the experiences that transformed him into who he is today.
Imran Khan—Challenger of the Status Quo
Former leaders took advantage of the inchoate state, and marred Pakistan by insulating themselves.
Mir Adnan Aziz considers Imran Khan’s political existence, and PTI’s unswerving influence the perfect opportunity for the citizens to resolve the pitiful state of the country themselves.
Examining PTI’s Prohibited Funding Fiasco
Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan declared PTI guilty of receiving millions from 351 foreign companies, concealing 13 accounts, and receiving $35,651 from 34 foreign national citizens. Faran Feroze probes into PTI’s ‘prohibited funding’ case, uncovering both legal and political implications.
The Youth’s New Role in Pakistan’s Politics
Do the youth now have political clout in Pakistan? If the results of the 2018 general elections are anything to go by, then absolutely. Shuraim Ahmad Malik sees the youth making strong headway in the political arena, which has long been controlled by dynastic politicians. It now seems that the political party that inspires the youth will be the one to stand victorious in the upcoming 2023 general elections in Pakistan.
The Untouchables of Pakistan
In a nation that had been lulled into political apathy, Imran Khan awakened the masses and brought their attention to the widespread corruption, institutional conflicts, and economic distress in Pakistan. Given the public’s unyielding support, Mir Adnan Aziz considers Imran Khan to be an important piece in the political chessboard of the country.
The Suspension of Ehsaas & Other Welfare Initiatives
During his term as the prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan introduced numerous welfare projects. The Ehsaas program, in particular, has been a source of salvation for many Pakistanis. Summaiyya Qureshi notes that since the PDM government has assumed power, PTI-led projects like Panagah, the Ehsaas Langar program, Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar housing scheme, and the Miyawaki forest project have been suspended. Given the situation in Pakistan, the suspension of these projects has dire consequences for the state’s lower class.
Are Early Elections Inevitable after PTI’s Landslide Victory in Punjab?
Given PTI’s landslide victory in Punjab’s by-elections and the confidence of the masses in Imran Khan and his party, Sarmad Ishfaq states that PTI’s return to the federal government is imminent.
He states that Imran Khan can now force early elections by either of these options:
1. Using his new majority in Punjab to pressurise PDM into dissolving the National Assembly
2. Resuming his ‘Long March’ & forcing PDM to step down
3. Dissolving the KPK & Punjab Assemblies.
One thing is for certain: it has become untenable for the PDM to sustain its contentious stay in power.
Examining PTI’s 2018 Manifesto
Muhammad Mustafa Ahmed Khan appraises PTI’s performance from 2018 to the party’s abrupt end in April 2022. The party’s own 2018 manifesto is reviewed to understand the contributions that it has been able to make — and the damage it has left in its wake.
United with Imran Khan
After removing Imran Khan – the former Pakistani prime minister – from power, Pakistan’s new government has adopted the very policies the PTI leader stood against. The author, Mir Adnan Aziz, notes that Pakistan has once again fallen into the hands of politicians dancing to America’s tune. He asserts that in their insatiable greed for power, these corrupt politicians have overthrown the one person who attempted to break free from the chains that bound Islamabad to Washington.
The US-backed Regime Change in Pakistan
The United States has freely been using regime changes as tools for subjugation. If unable to “convince” a leader to comply, the US simply has him/her removed from power. Ironically, the US Senate had to formally pass an “assassination ban” on US citizens/officials since CIA/US assassinations and coups in states run by “unfavorable” governments were becoming too frequent. The author, Mir Adnan Aziz, argues that for the US, Pakistan’s former prime minister, Imran Khan, represented one such unfavorable government. Though Pakistan is not a stranger to America’s interventionist policies, the recent regime change in Pakistan has revealed the true extent of covert American networking in the state.
Democracy or Monarchy — What Will It Be For Pakistan?
With the political system in disarray, the author, Shanze Khalid, claims that Pakistan actually resembles a monarchy. She supports her assertion by giving references to Pakistan’s convoluted relationship with dynastic politics and corruption.
Imran Khan vs the Supreme Court: Analyzing the Apex Court’s Verdict
Imran Khan’s premiership ended last night by a no-confidence vote. The events leading up to this have stirred a debate about the Supreme Court’s decision, with many people citing their dissatisfaction with the disregard for the letter and the court’s micromanagement of the Parliament’s proceedings. Aleena Imran and Sarmad Ishfaq explore horse-trading, the letter, the relevant articles of the Constitution, and what’s next for Imran Khan.
PTI vs PDM: Why Imran Khan Will Win Whether He Stays PM or Not
All eyes were on Imran Khan during his historic jalsa in Islamabad on the 27th of March. In Pakistan’s recent political history, Imran Khan’s party has been the only one that has consistently garnered massive numbers, and this jalsa exceeded expectations. It transcended others not just because of the sheer volume of people but due to the impetuous political context that surrounds it. The author, Sarmad Ishfaq, believes that in either case, Imran Khan will win — and that the vote against him could embolden him more.
Assessing the Political System in Pakistan Amid the No-Confidence Vote
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s public support holds great promise, but it might not be enough to survive the vote of no-confidence. The author, Muhammad Mustafa Ahmed Khan, examines PTI’s failures, the opposition’s attempts, the apprehensive public, and the untended democratic infrastructure.