Pakistan – 2024 General Election
The research publication published by the House of Commons Library on 28 May 2024.
Document (in .pdf format)
SUMMARY
Pakistan: 2024 general election
The research briefing summarizes the events leading up to and following Pakistan’s 2024 general election. It details the electoral system, the main political parties, and the influence of the military in Pakistani politics.
Key points:
- Election results: Independents backed by the PTI party, led by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, won the largest number of directly elected seats but fell short of a majority. The PML-N and PPP formed a coalition government, with Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister and Asif Ali Zardari as President.
- PTI’s legal challenges: The PTI faced legal setbacks, including being barred from contesting the election as a party and the imprisonment of Imran Khan on corruption charges. The party’s candidates ran as independents and were subsequently denied reserved seats in the National Assembly.
- Vote-rigging allegations and protests: PTI supporters protested the election results, alleging widespread vote-rigging. The international community expressed concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the elections.
- Military’s influence: The military remains a powerful force in Pakistani politics and is believed to have played a role in preventing the PTI from returning to power.
- Challenges for the new government: The new government faces significant challenges, including a severe economic crisis, rising terrorist violence, and strained relations with neighboring Afghanistan.
The briefing concludes by analyzing the potential durability of the new government and the ongoing role of the military in Pakistani politics. It also discusses the economic, security, and foreign policy challenges that the new government will need to address.
