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Blood, Politics & Pakistan’s General Elections
Blood, Politics & Pakistan’s General Elections
Sputnik India
Today, the famous words of the great Indian poet, Late Rahat Indori are echoing in my mind. He once said, "Is there tension at the borders, Find out if there’s an election round the corner?"
2024-02-08T18:44+0530
2024-02-08T18:44+0530
2024-02-08T19:13+0530
political affairs
pakistan
imran khan
bangladesh
india
tehreek-e-taliban pakistan (ttp)
taliban
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After a period of intense socio-political turmoil marked by numerous attacks, bomb blasts, and killings, the general election has finally taken place in Pakistan. It is evident that where general elections occur in Pakistan, there is often bloodshed.Throughout Pakistan's political history, hundreds of people have tragically lost their lives due to targeted killings, bomb blasts, and clashes during each election cycle.Bloodshed & Controversy: Election Patterns in PakistanAccording to media reports, during the last general election, a minimum of 595 individuals, including Pakistani security officials, lost their lives, and 1,030 others were injured in 262 terror attacks across the country in 2018.He further said, "In this context, foreign intelligence agencies have been involved in creating security challenges for Pakistan. Pakistan's intelligence has uncovered instances of groups funded by foreign countries to sabotage Pakistan's peace and elections on multiple occasions."As the 2024 elections were approaching, within the span of a week, the majority of attacks have been directed at security and law enforcement agencies. Various bomb blasts, target killings, and attacks which took hundreds of lives conducted by Taliban**, ISIL, IS-K and Baloch militant groups (BLA and BRAS). All fronts, Pakistan was under attacks.General Elections: A Tale of Two Countries in South AsiaThe double standards of the West and US-backed media are evident as Bangladesh faced months of pressure over the lack of a "free and fair" election, while Pakistan seems to be receiving an easy pass despite the military's interference in the electoral process as per report."In Pakistan, the deployment of the military for election security is viewed as essential for maintaining stability and preventing violence, particularly in volatile regions. Despite some concerns about the military's involvement in civilian affairs, the presence of an interim government overseeing the elections adds a veneer of neutrality to the process," he further added.Asad Ali Toor, a political analyst and journalist made his own statement on X previously known as Twitter. As we know, general election in Pakistan is ongoing but Imran khan, its party leaders have not recieved any relief and political concession.As a result of being barred from using its election symbol, the cricket bat, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, will have its candidates running as independents in the upcoming elections. It's Time for Pakistan to Revisit its PoliciesThere is no denying the fact that it is a recurring political dilemma that in each election, there is bloodshed due to insecurity, border issues, and perceived shortcomings of the Pakistani government's domestic and external policies. Similarly, questions arise about why all major internal and external events occur during elections, such as Pak-Iran clashes, Pak-Afghan border issues, and Line of Control skirmishes between Pakistan and Indian border sides. Moreover, he said to Sputnik, "The security and stability of general elections in Pakistan are heavily influenced by both internal and external policies. Internally, the deployment of Pakistan Armed Forces at polling stations serves as a vital measure to ensure security and deter violence. Additionally, transparent electoral processes and inclusive political dialogue within the country are essential for maintaining order."This suggests that each election in Pakistan is controversial and marked by bloodshed, indicating the need for Pakistan to reassess its internal and external policies and their designs.*A terrorist organization banned in Russia and India.**ISIS-K, Daesh (IS/ISIS/ISIL) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and other states.
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pakistan, imran khan, bangladesh, india, tehreek-e-taliban pakistan (ttp), taliban
pakistan, imran khan, bangladesh, india, tehreek-e-taliban pakistan (ttp), taliban
Blood, Politics & Pakistan’s General Elections
18:44 08.02.2024 (Updated: 19:13 08.02.2024) Today, the famous words of the great Indian poet, Late Rahat Indori are echoing in my mind. He once said, "Is there tension at the borders, find out if there’s an election round the corner?"
After a period of
intense socio-political turmoil marked by
numerous attacks, bomb blasts, and killings, the
general election has finally taken place in Pakistan. It is evident that where general elections occur in Pakistan, there is often bloodshed.
Throughout Pakistan's political history, hundreds of people have tragically lost their lives due to targeted killings, bomb blasts, and clashes during each
election cycle.
While occurrences of attacks, target killings, forced disappearances, and bomb blasts are unfortunately not uncommon in Pakistan, the situation and frequency of such events intensify as elections draw near.
Bloodshed & Controversy: Election Patterns in Pakistan
According to media reports, during the last general election, a minimum of 595 individuals, including Pakistani security officials, lost their lives, and 1,030 others were injured in 262 terror attacks across the country in 2018.
"Despite increased awareness and understanding among the people, the current threats stem from external militant groups such as IS-K and TTP*, who target political parties, their workers, and leaders," Muhammad Israr Madani, the President of the International Research Council for Religious Affairs & a Political analyst, told Sputnik News.
He further said, "In this context, foreign intelligence agencies have been involved in creating security challenges for Pakistan. Pakistan's intelligence has uncovered instances of groups funded by foreign countries to sabotage Pakistan's peace and elections on multiple occasions."
As the 2024 elections were approaching, within the span of a week, the majority of attacks have been directed at security and law enforcement agencies.
Various bomb blasts, target killings, and attacks which
took hundreds of lives conducted by
Taliban**, ISIL, IS-K and Baloch militant groups (BLA and BRAS). All fronts, Pakistan was under attacks.
"The escalation of violence during general elections in Pakistan is a multifaceted issue, with contemporary factors playing a pivotal role. Following the dismissal of Imran Khan's government, political polarization has heightened distrust between the masses and security forces, creating a breeding ground for unrest. External forces capitalize on this discord, amplifying disinformation and online propaganda to further sow seeds of division," Salman Javed, a think tanker and Political analyst told Sputnik News.
General Elections: A Tale of Two Countries in South Asia
The double standards of the West and
US-backed media are evident as
Bangladesh faced months of pressure over the lack of a "free and fair" election, while Pakistan seems to be receiving an easy pass despite the military's interference in the electoral process as
per report.
"The international responses to the conduct of general elections in Pakistan, especially when compared to situations in countries like Bangladesh, often hinge on the perceived role of the military and the fairness of the electoral process," Salman Javed, a think tanker, told Sputnik.
"In Pakistan, the deployment of the military for election security is viewed as essential for maintaining stability and preventing violence, particularly in volatile regions. Despite some concerns about the military's involvement in civilian affairs, the presence of an interim government overseeing the elections adds a veneer of neutrality to the process," he further added.
Asad Ali Toor, a political analyst and journalist made his own statement on X previously known as Twitter.
As we know, general election in Pakistan is ongoing but Imran khan, its party leaders have not recieved any relief and political concession.
As a result of being
barred from using its election symbol, the cricket bat, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister
Imran Khan, will have its candidates
running as independents in the upcoming elections.
In the 2018 general elections, only slightly over half of Pakistan’s electorate participated. With an ongoing crackdown against Khan’s party, it remains uncertain whether the February 8 elections will experience a lower turnout or a surge in the form of a silent protest vote in favor of PTI-aligned candidates.
It's Time for Pakistan to Revisit its Policies
There is no denying the fact that it is a recurring political dilemma that in each election, there is bloodshed due to insecurity, border issues, and perceived shortcomings of the Pakistani government's domestic and external policies.
Similarly, questions arise about why all major internal and external events occur during elections, such as Pak-Iran clashes, Pak-Afghan border issues, and Line of Control skirmishes between Pakistan and Indian border sides.
"Regional instability, particularly in the western border regions with Afghanistan and Iran, has given birth to the ungoverned spaces where militant groups thrive. These groups exploit the politics of fear, leveraging existing tensions and issuing warnings against electoral participation, perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability during crucial election periods," S. Javed, a political analyst expressed.
Moreover, he said to Sputnik, "The security and stability of general elections in Pakistan are heavily influenced by both internal and external policies. Internally, the deployment of Pakistan Armed Forces at polling stations serves as a vital measure to ensure security and deter violence. Additionally, transparent electoral processes and inclusive political dialogue within the country are essential for maintaining order."
This suggests that each election in Pakistan is controversial and marked by bloodshed, indicating the need for Pakistan to reassess its internal and external policies and their designs.
*A terrorist organization banned in Russia and India.
**ISIS-K, Daesh (IS/ISIS/ISIL) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and other states.
