Just weeks before the upcoming parliamentary elections, Pakistan’s Supreme Court has drastically limited the chances of the main opposition party. Judges have banned ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI party from using its party symbols on election ballots, the Supreme Court announced on Saturday.
As a result, hundreds of PTI politicians now have to stand as independent candidates. This will make it difficult for the more than 100 million eligible voters in the densely populated South Asian country to find their favorites in the elections on February 8. Party members condemned the decision. A close confidant of the former prime minister even spoke of ‘sham elections’ in the nuclear power.
“It is difficult to overestimate the importance of election symbols in Pakistan and the challenge it poses for the PTI. Another major blow to the party,” Pakistan expert Madiha Afzal wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Another example of the judiciary serving the establishment.”
The Pakistani opposition has been greatly weakened after the conviction and imprisonment of the popular Imran Khan. Activists have been warning for weeks about unfree elections. Since the state’s founding in 1947, there has been repeated unrest and instability in the South Asian country, which lies between India and Afghanistan. The army ruled for more than half of this time. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
