Pakistan is in the grips of political and violent turmoil as it gears up for the national and provincial elections scheduled for February 8. The pre-election period has been rocked by a spate of militant attacks, most notably a deadly bombing at the campaign office of independent candidate Asfand Yar Kakar in Pishin district, Balochistan, which has killed at least 24 people. The Islamic State’s Pakistan Chapter has claimed responsibility for at least one of the attacks. In the midst of this, there are serious allegations of political interference, with the military accused of undermining democracy by sidelining the popular candidate, Imran Khan, who is behind bars and has asked his supporters to wait by poll stations after voting. The opposition party faces a crackdown, with members arrested and campaigning effectively banned in parts of the country. The election, which sees Nawaz Sharif tipped to win, unfolds under a nationwide internet blackout, raising further concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
#NewsAlert | 4 cops killed in a blast in Pakistan: Updates⬇️ ▶️Police vehicle bombed, 4 cops killed ▶️Blast in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ▶️Poll booth patrol vehicle bombed, shot at
Bombings at Pakistani Political Offices Kill at Least 30 a Day Before Parliamentary Elections https://t.co/8vnOkx34Bc
Pakistan is electing a new leader, with its most popular candidate, Imran Khan, behind bars. Follow the latest news in our live blog, which is free to read. https://t.co/9wG9e4FAPa
BREAKING: Five Pakistan security forces killed in election day attack: police READ: https://t.co/5DJuzxuayP https://t.co/FiUiLsnzPX
Appearances aside, Pakistan is not actually having an election today. It's just a ratification of the military's choice, given the military's sidelining of the most popular candidate, Imran Khan. https://t.co/sMWCZZVjFO
Pakistan is voting in an election that will test its fragile democracy, as the hobbling of the country’s key opposition party and the threat of terrorist attacks make for a tense day at the polls https://t.co/0cD8BSvpkB https://t.co/0cD8BSvpkB
Pakistan votes for a new parliament as militant attacks surge and jailed leader's party cries foul (from @AP) https://t.co/W4YU9puWgO
Four policemen on election duty killed in terror attack in northwest #Pakistan: media reports. #PakistanElection https://t.co/XqeJuBVOv7
At least five people were killed in militant attacks as Pakistan held a general election after temporarily suspending mobile phone services across the country and closing some land borders to maintain law and order https://t.co/0VA2UcJJKw
BREAKING: Police say 5 officers killed when gunmen attack in Pakistan's northwest as nation votes https://t.co/SaMaIxEMHm
At least five people have been killed in militant attacks as #Pakistan held a general election. https://t.co/oaEiCSEGYd
Five killed in violent Pakistan elections; mobile services suspended https://t.co/t8yotmSMsO https://t.co/wuiI0VvLKv
JUST IN: Pakistan has both shut down its mobile services and closed some land borders today, the day of its national election.
Because it’s election day in Pakistan! #Election2024 https://t.co/0GXfuWIFgb
🇵🇰 Meanwhile, on election day in Pakistan... **BOMB BLAST, SHOOTING KILL FOUR POLICE OFFICIALS IN NORTHWEST PAKISTAN - POLICE
Pakistan heads to the polls on Thursday for an election that analysts say will be among the least credible in the country’s 76-year history, one that comes at a particularly turbulent moment for the nation. https://t.co/uGevjxuoNc
#WATCH | Voting underway at a polling booth in Peshawar, for the Pakistan parliamentary general elections. (Source: Reuters) https://t.co/ALCTOzUJi2
Pakistan Voting On, Imran Khan In Jail, Nawaz Sharif Tipped To Win https://t.co/pQt8qd6Cw8 #PakistanElections2024 https://t.co/DedUvexoP8
BREAKING: A security officer has died after gunmen opened fire at soldiers in Pakistan at the start of the country's general election https://t.co/45sPhLWcsR
Pakistanis have labeled it a “selection” — not an election. As voters headed to the polls on Thursday, the influence of Pakistan’s powerful military and the turbulent state of its politics were on full display. https://t.co/1kfZM4vWUN
Why bother with an "election" when the Pakistani military has already decided that, having ousted the highly popular Imran Khan, it wants to substitute corruption-tainted Nawaz Sharif, seeing him as more pliable. https://t.co/QFnRtWYJ8z
As militant attacks surge, Pakistan votes for new parliament https://t.co/h4QxV2hDXg
Internet shut in #Pakistan as voting begins across the nation #PakistanElection #PakistanElection2024 https://t.co/pYfVQ8Yfsi https://t.co/oy84o6Prd5
This morning, polls in Pakistan opened amid a nationwide internet blackout and a prolonged economic and political crisis. The @progintl is on the ground in Lahore to accompany the electoral process. https://t.co/uNxPjX4EMO
⚠️ Update: Real-time network data show that internet blackouts are now in effect in multiple regions of #Pakistan in addition to mobile network disruptions; the incident comes on election day and follows months of digital censorship targeting the political opposition 📉 https://t.co/47Yja44TI9
Polls open in Pakistan’s with key opposition leader in jail https://t.co/Qc7WbgZ3GK
Election day in Pakistan where the tables are turned from 2018. Imran Khan is in prison and Nawaz Sharif is favourite to win after coming back into favour with his old enemy, the country's military. https://t.co/ospsHWnxCc
⚠ Confirmed: Live network data show a disruption to mobile internet in #Pakistan with high impact to second-largest operator Zong, corroborating widespread user reports of outages; the incident comes as polls open on election day 📵 #PakistanElection2024 https://t.co/XWIyU1BKvO
Pakistan elections open against backdrop of political muzzling allegations. This comes days after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was handed a string of jail sentences. His cousin, Usman, said that "the only solution is free and fair elections" https://t.co/QxwywabG5k
STORY | Voting begins in Pakistan's general elections READ: https://t.co/Jx0Au4eulW https://t.co/y6avitQWXu
BREAKING: Pakistan votes for a new parliament as militant attacks surge and jailed leader's party cries foul https://t.co/2kBqqPO0mx
#WATCH | Voters arrive at a polling booth in Islamabad, as parliamentary general elections get underway in Pakistan. (Source: Reuters) https://t.co/twAWVomysU
#WATCH | Parliamentary general elections get underway in Pakistan. (Video Source: Reuters) https://t.co/BeSNFGKR4r
#PakistanElection 2024 | #Pakistan to vote today amid polarisation, militant attacks and economic crisis Live Updates: https://t.co/QeLVkA4sK9 https://t.co/QuKkwz14YB
Pakistan votes amid polarisation, militant attacks and economic crisis https://t.co/V6kLQ0ZVM8 https://t.co/Ei7ovkeglT
Pakistan holds election tainted by rigging claims https://t.co/Jx2kJ8Gda9
Pakistan Votes For New Government Today, Analysts Rule Out A Clear Winner https://t.co/oAcsosvLVz #Pakistan #PakistanElection #PakistanElection2024 https://t.co/sErfdvMr3O
Pakistan Votes Today Amid Polarisation, Rising Attacks, Economic Crisis https://t.co/oAcsosvLVz https://t.co/TvW9hsn3MM
On February 8, Pakistan’s voters will elect a leader tasked with managing one of the country’s worst-ever economic crises, an escalating terrorism problem, rekindled tensions with Afghanistan and Iran, and a long-standing border impasse with India. https://t.co/bdDFxzpQ1c
Pakistan’s national elections are on Feb. 8, and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, back from exile, could return to power after patching up relations with the military. https://t.co/TtoSqCWihe
Analysis by Ishaan Tharoor: Pakistan’s national elections on Thursday echo the nation’s controversial 2018 vote. https://t.co/DTZde71rCt
Millions of Pakistanis vote Thursday in an election marred by violence that has killed dozens, allegations of pre-poll rigging, and the jailing of the country's most popular politician, Imran Khan. 🖊️ by @emmaclarkuk and @ZainZamanJanjua ⬇️ https://t.co/CKmfglpFxE
On Thursday, Pakistanis head to the polls against a backdrop of political muzzling allegations. The alleged suppression goes beyond imposed restrictions on reporting about Imran Khan, and includes a crackdown on his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) https://t.co/FqMJkp7Sn3
Make no mistake, the world with be watching how the Feb. 8 elections in Pakistan unfold. The Government of Pakistan must prioritize free and fair elections, due process, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.
It is deeply concerning that the people of Pakistan might be denied the free & fair elections they rightfully deserve. The U.S must speak out against any efforts to undermine democracy, the rule of law, and the will of the people of Pakistan. 🇺🇸🇵🇰 https://t.co/2CGSDeiujY
TKD MONITORING: The Islamic State’s Pakistan Chapter (ISPP) has also claimed the second bombing on an election office of the Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI-F) in Balochistan today. https://t.co/yBd4tgqMg4
🇵🇰 We’re in Pakistan, where the run-up to tomorrow’s election has been marked with deadly violence and an unprecedented crackdown on Imran Khan’s PTI party 🗳️ With Khan and many of his allies in jail, we’ve been finding out how his party are fighting back Tonight @Channel4News https://t.co/rksmp2eUOG
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
Pakistan elections open against backdrop of political muzzling allegations https://t.co/SpI9PwCs7e
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
THREAD: 1) Pakistan is holding national elections on Feb. 8, with its most popular candidate, Imran Khan, behind bars https://t.co/7Cs046IpaJ https://t.co/Vq8RMEbWEV
⚠️ 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
#Pakistan is gearing up for a pivotal moment as it heads to the polls to elect a national government. Here is all you need to know about the candidates for the 2024 #elections. https://t.co/3fKXb3Lkd0
12 Killed In Blast Outside Pak Candidate's Office In Balochistan Day Ahead Of Polls https://t.co/Eza76sYtLI https://t.co/RClN5UYhnM
Pakistan's parliamentary elections face ongoing threats, with the Islamic State group declaring its intention to target the electoral process. https://t.co/PhKaeLscTc
Bomb attacks in Pakistan kill at least 24 on eve of national election https://t.co/6al6ak0f4B
🚨GRAPHIC FOOTAGE FROM CAMPAIGN HQ BOMBING IN PAKISTAN Asfand Yar Kakar's campaign HQ in Pishin, Balochistan, near the Afghanistan border, has been bombed. 12-15 fatalities and over 30 injuries. No word on if the candidate was injured. Source: Osinttv https://t.co/SpcCcSU7IY https://t.co/5VsoWGaoUL
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
A bombing at an independent candidate's election office kills 14 in Pakistan ahead of elections https://t.co/abDd8hZ5HX
BREAKING: Preliminary reports suggest that there have been multipe injuries resulting from a powerful explosion at the central election office of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI-F) in Qilla Abdullah, Balochistan: Party Sources/Police https://t.co/XvYe3b6Kun
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
BREAKING: Pakistan explosion: At least eight killed in blast outside political party's office Read more 🔗 https://t.co/R1bCsJOUnb
#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
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
BREAKING: At least 4 people have been killed and multiple injuries are being reported in a huge explosion at the campaign office of Asfand Yar Kakar, an independent candidate of PB47 for Balochistan Assembly in Pishin district, Balochistan: Police [This is a developing news] https://t.co/O6L2sB4Stc
From jail, Pakistan's Imran Khan asks supporters to wait by poll stations after vote https://t.co/tMwj39yuy1 https://t.co/GW3fb01ds0
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
A Quick Guide To Pakistan's National Elections https://t.co/m2v3XGjFOl https://t.co/QKZkkLKhhz
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
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