Pakistan is poised for its national elections on February 8 amid a backdrop of political turmoil, economic crisis, and security threats. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned, has been barred from contesting, leading to widespread concerns over the fairness and legitimacy of the election process. Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is actively campaigning using innovative strategies, including generative AI technology to disseminate Khan's speeches and female teacher volunteers leading secretive campaigns. The Biden administration has issued a statement expressing a desire for 'free and fair elections' in Pakistan, but criticism has arisen over its lack of action against the military's influence on the electoral process. The country faces severe economic challenges, with inflation nearing 30% and nearly 40% of the population living below the poverty line. The election comes at a critical time as Pakistan grapples with political uncertainty, a divided electorate, and the military's significant influence. Furthermore, security concerns have escalated with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) urging a boycott of the elections and advocating for armed struggle, while recent terror attacks in Balochistan have resulted in casualties. The international community, including the United Nations, has expressed alarm over the harassment of PTI members, and there are calls for the Pakistani government to ensure a democratic and transparent electoral process.
8 Flagrant Ways the U.S-Backed Government in Pakistan Is Subverting the Election https://t.co/TooICROGeg
Pakistanis will head to the polls on Thursday amid allegations of political and media muzzling, days after Imran Khan was handed a string of jail sentences. "Polls show that he would have probably won by an 80% majority," Khan's cousin, Usman, told MEE https://t.co/5Ybc8qLHiq
Eight flagrant ways the U.S-backed government in Pakistan is subverting the election https://t.co/lQANjzi7A1 by @ryangrim https://t.co/lQANjzi7A1
Pakistan elections open against backdrop of political muzzling allegations https://t.co/SpI9PwCs7e
As Pakistan heads for a parliamentary election, the country has rarely been in such a mess. How did it get there? Here are six books to help you find out: https://t.co/9TfIhz7pTH 📚
Pakistan goes to the polls on Thursday. But will the military be the real winner? And what does a cricket bat tell us about the state of politics in the country? Read more🔗 https://t.co/PB3DhLLmVY
Pakistan Goes To The Polls This Week. Four of our experts discuss what to watch. Our team breaks down insights, candidates, voter turnout, and election integrity. Read here: https://t.co/qanBLZBXie https://t.co/BKUEqA3I07
Pakistan is heading to the polls to choose its next prime minister. Al Jazeera’s Abid Hussain explains 4 things you need to know about the upcoming election. https://t.co/6TbxrTDKDW
⚠️ FACTBOX-WHO ARE THE KEY PLAYERS IN PAKISTAN'S GENERAL ELECTIONS? (Reuters) Pakistan holds its national elections on Thursday as the country grapples with an economic crisis and political uncertainty following the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022. Here are… https://t.co/eJfH5uYGcm
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to initiate a live-streaming session starting at 8 pm tonight. This digital broadcast aims to engage supporters and the general public, offering insights, updates, and discussions directly from the party. Viewers can attend this exclusive… https://t.co/wKRLrtFBqA
TKD MONITORING: New video from TTP (Dawat-e-Jihad), episode 4 discusses TTP stance on voting in Pakistan. For a summary of the video, visit: https://t.co/FXjSvG8NYM
A 🧵on our interview with @BBhuttoZardari- the centrist promising change in a very turbulent #Pakistan. But many believe the powerful military want @NawazSharifMNS to lead. Meanwhile, the polls say Khan’s @PTIofficial remains the most popular. A fascinating couple of days ahead. https://t.co/oaOpoHQcQK
Imran Khan’s absence from Pakistan's elections is fueling strong emotions among voters. Investors in a rallying market also have cause for worry https://t.co/WHmQRifiK4
"The United Nation’s top human rights body warned Tuesday of a 'pattern of harassment' against members of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party ahead of this week’s parliamentary election." And that's an understatement. https://t.co/vPW3tf5B7A
UPDATE: The number of casualties has risen to 12 fatalities while 14 individuals have sustained injuries in the Qilla Saifullah blast. The critically injured are being airlifted to Quetta for treatment: District Administration https://t.co/LbaSRJrJiC
Pakistan's parliamentary elections face ongoing threats, with the Islamic State group declaring its intention to target the electoral process. https://t.co/PhKaeLscTc
Two separate incidents of terrorism in Balochistan has claimed the lives of at least 15, whereas 30 above are injured ahead of the polls that are due to be held on Thursday. #Pakistan
UPDATE: At least 10 people have been killed and over a dozen injured in the initial casualty count of an explosion near the Jamiat Ulema Islam Office (JUI-F) office in Qilla Saifullah, Balochistan: Officials https://t.co/fXSqFT2Liv
Initial visuals from the area shows thick black smoke emerging from the Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI-F) office in Qilla Saifullah, Balochistan. There are over a dozen injured and fatalities: The Khorasan Diary Team. 1:37PM Pakistan Time https://t.co/7CvnMitDSV https://t.co/fXSqFT2Liv
In Balochistan, pretty much every political party is being targeted. Here reports of a new attack, this time against an election campaign office of Islamist party JUI-F. #Pakistan https://t.co/KD2g9EU8Qx
#PakistanElection | Pakistan is all set to go to the polls tomorrow. Read: https://t.co/Nja1MzuE9v https://t.co/I5gj5tMpz7
Pakistan gears up to hold closely watched elections for national and provincial assemblies on February 8. A major crackdown on the opposition party and its leader Imran Khan has fuelled concerns over possible manipulation. 🟠 LIVE updates: https://t.co/UuwlSvo6ne https://t.co/SCbFPcqvaJ
Pakistan gears up to hold closely watched elections for national and provincial assemblies on February 8. A major crackdown on the opposition party and its leader Imran Khan has fuelled concerns over possible manipulation. 🟠 Follow our LIVE coverage: https://t.co/UuwlSvo6ne https://t.co/eLjBzgC7Hd
⚠️ EIGHT KILLED IN BLAST IN SOUTHWESTERN PAKISTAN - OFFICIAL (Reuters) At least eight people were killed and several injured in a blast outside a political party's office in southwestern Pakistan's Balochistan region on Wednesday, authorities said. "The blast took place in…
Pakistan gears up to hold closely watched elections for national and provincial assemblies on February 8. A major crackdown on the biggest opposition party and its leader Imran Khan has fuelled concerns over possible manipulation. 🟠 Follow our LIVE coverage:… https://t.co/7eCT7ldYkw
From jail, Pakistan's Imran Khan asks supporters to wait by poll stations after vote https://t.co/tMwj39yuy1 https://t.co/GW3fb01ds0
Jailed former Pakistani premier Imran Khan urged his supporters to wait outside polling booths after casting their votes, as rival political parties held large rallies to mark the end of the election campaign period https://t.co/routWyXw1k
⚠️ FROM JAIL, PAKISTAN'S IMRAN KHAN ASKS SUPPORTERS TO WAIT BY POLL STATIONS AFTER VOTE (Reuters) Jailed former Pakistani premier Imran Khan urged his supporters on Wednesday to wait outside polling booths after casting their votes, as rival political parties held large… https://t.co/DUiyNZMyRB
A prisoner, a kingmaker and an unexpected return: All you need to know about Pakistan's election Read more🔗 https://t.co/VrJai9v7sz
LIVE: Pakistan prepares for national, provincial elections https://t.co/QOOHNu14OJ
Ahead of Pakistan’s election on Thursday, members of the opposition party are facing arrest, threats and a de facto ban on campaigning in large parts of the country https://t.co/2MFZO0dN1s https://t.co/2MFZO0dN1s
Pakistan's economy has been hit by inflation, protests and a depreciating currency. As voters head to the polls, can the country’s new prime minister tackle its economic crisis? https://t.co/wiskVpapHa https://t.co/qljXLLkf55
A Quick Guide To Pakistan's National Elections https://t.co/m2v3XGjFOl https://t.co/QKZkkLKhhz
#WATCH | Delhi: On the Pakistan Parliamentary Elections, Former High Commissioner of India To Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria says "From all accounts, these elections on 8th February are not just the most predictable, but also the most rigged, because it's clear for everyone in Pakistan… https://t.co/XT0Btbvb2Q
Fierce jostling won’t end after this week’s elections in Pakistan, says @mihirssharma. But the country cannot afford to let that hold up essential economic reforms. https://t.co/8m0ZplXFZ8 via @opinion
Fierce jostling won’t end after this week’s elections in Pakistan, says @mihirssharma. But the country cannot afford to let that hold up essential economic reforms. https://t.co/W3LupRstSj
Amid massive political turmoil, voters in the world’s 5th most populous nation will go to the polls this week to elect representatives in Pakistan’s parliament, and from that, the next prime minister. @MadihaAfzal joins The Current podcast to discuss: https://t.co/pOw9ShcbFU
Explained: Pakistan's National Election Process https://t.co/WBVFco9vnr https://t.co/llJLQhF5g6
There is no democracy or free and fair elections when you ban your opponents from participating. We cannot continue to finance or condone the actions of the Pakistani government while it's actively undermining its democracy and criminalizing political opposition. https://t.co/OaOsknhbfF
With opposition leader Imran Khan behind bars, the Feb. 8 election offers little hope for near-term stability in Pakistan, @Muneeb_soanth and Mohammad Usman Bhatti write. https://t.co/Aqqf38xX6J
Pakistan has been on a wild ride recently - from assassination attempts and protests to terror attacks and controversial cricket bats. And now people are heading to the polls to vote for a new PM. @CordeliaSkyNews explains what is happening in Pakistan. https://t.co/uoEANqhqxV https://t.co/MXP50ueaqA
Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan may be in prison, but the election campaigning for his PTI party is still going on with the help of women and artificial intelligence https://t.co/FAhDhkHVYV https://t.co/xfIUPRKLRa
As the Pakistani military makes a mockery of this week's election by barring the most popular candidate, Imran Khan, many Pakistanis are losing faith in democracy. Or at least the military's debased version of it. https://t.co/EC4LYn4ovq
With Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan in prison ahead of the Feb. 8 national elections, his embattled PTI party is taking the help of women and AI to lobby for votes https://t.co/FAhDhkHVYV https://t.co/2GfjwzKMFa
Imran Khan looms large over the upcoming election in Pakistan, even while he is in jail barred from contesting. So if not him then who will be the next leader? Read more about how voters are coping with Imran Khan’s absence here https://t.co/qDUUdZrfez https://t.co/rMxmZNRY2d
TKD MONITORING: TTP podcast (Pasoon), episode 34, features an analysis of upcoming elections in Pakistan while commenting TTP position between Afghanistan and Pakistan. For a summary of the episode, visit: https://t.co/93qIUXsMZz
Ghazi Media, affiliated with the Ahrar faction of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), released an 18-minute Urdu video on the upcoming elections. It features archived statements from influential Pakistani Deobandi figures, including senior TTP leaders, denouncing democracy. https://t.co/tOSL6u0Ujh
Pakistani Taliban's (TTP) latest Pashto video urges people, especially the religious community, to boycott elections, citing democracy's 75-year failure in establishing an Islamic government. They advocate for armed struggle akin to the Afghan Taliban & urge support for the TTP. https://t.co/rHCNBiQQqV
TKD MONITORING: Pakistani Taliban faction, JuA publishes new video series featuring ample criticism of democracy. For a summary of the video, visit: https://t.co/xRSogQyHm5
#Pakistan, with a population of 241 million, is gearing up for a pivotal moment as it heads to the #polls to elect a national government and members of the 16th National Assembly. Here is a who's who of the candidates ahead of the #election. https://t.co/3fKXb3Lkd0
The embattled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party is using generative AI to create footage of Imran Khan, its founder, reading speeches he conveyed to lawyers from his prison cell, urging supporters to turn out on election day. https://t.co/Q8CLCghlLU
Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan’s embattled PTI party is deploying a two-pronged campaign strategy of secretive campaigning, often led by female teacher volunteers, and generative AI technology https://t.co/BKjx0klBFx
Imran Khan may be out of the picture, but the Pakistan military is as present as it could be. Here's why voters are divided and disillusioned as the country heads for national elections this week https://t.co/HwWI29V4zt
On the eve of this week’s Pakistani election, the country’s ruling bloc remains reliant on widespread repression, as it faces a demobilized citizenry that is nonetheless capable of generating uneven levels of mass protest and deep organizing. https://t.co/pUwK7fTlL9
Pakistani voters head to the polls amid a severe economic crisis, with inflation near 30% and nearly 40% living below the poverty line https://t.co/7m9C3VfDcO https://t.co/GYwY8a03BQ
From AI To Female Volunteers: How Imran Khan Is Campaigning From Jail https://t.co/YI6yKXW533
Imran Khan may be out of the picture, but the Pakistan military is as present as it could https://t.co/ArDCnmpLT4's why voters are divided and disillusioned as the country heads for national elections this week https://t.co/65hdjHb334
The Biden administration issues "the bromide 'we want to see free and fair elections take place in Pakistan,'” but isn't speaking out when the Pakistani military permits only a farce of an election by sidelining Imran Khan, the most popular candidate. https://t.co/41s6qBjZsm
Imran Khan is in jail. Pakistan has never been more divided https://t.co/MOLLjNJsCO
With Imran Khan Jailed, Pakistan’s Election May Be Torpid, But the Aftermath Might Not Be https://t.co/Vql2KxjL2k via @CFR_org