Is a general election without Imran Khan an acceptable outcome?

[Cricket Warrior]

How can you conduct general elections without the country's most popular political personality? If a caretaker Prime Minister is making such a statement so it simply means that they intend to extend Imran Khan's detention?

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said “fair” elections were possible without PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in a graft case, and his party leaders jailed following violent riots in the country on May 9.

However, the premier also stated that thousands of PTI members, who were not a part of “unlawful activities”, “will be running the political process” and “will be participating in the elections”.

His statement comes days after the Election Commission of Pakistan finally announced that polls in the country would be held January next year. Major political parties in the country have now began preparations for elections.

In an interview with Associated Press over the weekend, PM Kakar dismissed the possibility of the military establishment manipulating the election results to ensure the PTI doesn’t win as “absolutely absurd”.


Dawn

 

[daytrader]

Fazl, Bilawal have ‘no problem with PTI being on the ballot’ sans May 9 rioters

PESHAWAR / JACOBABAD: With elections due in just a few months, two major political parties have ostensibly demanded a level playing field for all stakeholders, including the PTI, except for those elements who were involved in riots on May 9 incited by the arrest of party chief Imran Khan.

JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman did not name Imran Khan, but said it was not fitting for him (Fazl) to make speeches against his opponent “when he was behind bars”. He also said he did not fight his rivals if their hands were tied.

“It did not suit him to make speeches against his opponent when he was behind bars,” he said, adding that their ideological differences would remain.

According to the JUI-F chief, he wanted politicians to be out of prison, but if someone was facing the law, then there could not be any exception. He said the entire administrative machinery was on the decline and added: “Establishment and bureaucracy were also losing their trust.”

Fazl, Bilawal have ‘no problem with PTI being on the ballot’ sans May 9 rioters

Bilawal says talks with PTI possible after accountability of those who broke the law.

www.dawn.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Imran Khan's latest Message via his family

https://twitter.com/x/status/1719646712304722250

 

[FearlessRoar]

The upcoming general election will remain controversial if ousted premier Imran Khan is not allowed to participate in the polls, said senior lawyer and former Pakistan Peoples Party leader Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan on Tuesday.

There should be a true level-playing field in the upcoming general elections, he said, speaking to the media outside the Lahore High Court (LHC), objecting to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz's demand for party supremo Nawaz's acquittal.

He asked why Imran Khan cannot move freely when thrice ousted former premier Nawaz could do so despite being a convict.

Nawaz cannot be made prime minister for the fourth time unless such an amendment is passed by an elected parliament, he said.

The former PPP leader also called for a comprehensive policy on Afghan refugees expressing concern that the current situation may lead to anarchy.

Maryam was earlier reported as saying that the PML-N would move towards elections after Nawaz is acquitted from all cases and Imran is imprisoned and punished.

“There will be no doubt over the controversy of this election if Imran is not given the opportunity to participate in it,” said Ahsan.

“Perhaps the PML-N considers the ongoing circumstances as a level-playing field for elections but it is not in the eyes of the voters,” he opined.

If the PML-N continues to restrain the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) it will only strengthen Imran's politics, said the PPP leader.

He cited fears of PTI supporters rendering their votes to waste by incorrectly marking the ballot paper if the Imran's party is deprived of its bat symbol.

In response to a query, he accused the Islamabad High Court of favouring the PML-N. Being a proclaimed offender, Nawaz had lost the right to an audience but he was welcomed at the airport, opined Ahsan.

He asserted that providing protocol to a convict was an offence.

Nawaz cannot be made prime minister for the fourth time unless such an amendment is passed by an elected parliament, he said.

Source: Express Tribune

 

[FearlessRoar]

President Dr Arif Alvi has conveyed the concerns of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to the Caretaker Prime Minister, Anwarul Haq Kakar, regarding the erosion of fundamental rights and the need for a level-playing field for all political parties in the run-up to the general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.

President Alvi, in a formal communication to Prime Minister Kakar, also forwarded a letter addressed to him by the General Secretary of PTI, Omar Ayub Khan, which detailed the party's apprehensions and grievances, according to a statement issued by the President’s Office.

In his letter to Prime Minister Kakar, President Alvi emphasised the paramount importance of the caretaker government, under the prime minister's leadership, to act as a neutral entity that ensures a fair and level-playing field for all registered political parties. He cited the prime minister's recent statements in which he affirmed the caretaker government's commitment to providing equal rights and opportunities to all political parties for the upcoming elections.

The president underlined that democracy was the only viable path for the state and people of Pakistan, emphasising the essence of democracy lay in allowing citizens to engage in political activities and express their views through a free media.

President Alvi reiterated that for free, fair, and credible elections, all political parties and leaders should have the right to contest, with the ultimate decision resting with the people.

Omar Ayub Khan's letter, conveyed to the PM by President Alvi, raised concerns over several issues. These concerns encompassed the erosion of fundamental rights, including enforced disappearances, forced conversions of political loyalties, the absence of a level-playing field for major political parties, a perceived crackdown on media, and the mistreatment of female political activists through prolonged illegal detentions.

The President of Pakistan, as the Head of State under Article 41 of the Constitution of Pakistan, has a duty to protect the rights of the citizens, as enshrined in the Constitution. It is on this basis that President Alvi forwarded PTI's allegations, which have also been widely debated in the media, regarding the increasing cases of enforced disappearances of individuals with known political affiliations. The president expressed particular concern when such actions resulted in the conversion of political associations and loyalties, noting the added sensitivity when female political workers were subjected to prolonged detentions or frequent rearrests following court relief.

President Alvi invoked key articles of the Constitution to underscore the gravity of the concerns, including Article 4, which guarantees every citizen the right to be treated in accordance with the law. He also cited Article 17, affirming every citizen's right to form associations and be a member of a political party, and Article 19, which enshrines the right to freedom of speech, expression, and a free press.

In his closing remarks, President Alvi urged Prime Minister Kakar, as the Head of Government, to investigate and address these critical issues to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process for all political parties.

Source: Express Tribune

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Imran challenges five-year disqualification in LHC

Ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, former prime minister Imran Khan on Thursday filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to disqualify him for five years.

On August 8, the ECP had disqualified Imran for five years following his conviction in the Toshakhana case for concealing details of the gifts he received as the premier during his tenure.

An Islamabad trial court had found him guilty of “corrupt practices by hiding the benefits he accrued from the national exchequer wilfully and intentionally”.

“He cheated while providing information of gifts he obtained from Toshakhana which later proved to be false and inaccurate. His dishonesty has been established beyond doubt,” the court order had said.

In its notification, the ECP had cited the trial court’s order and declared Imran disqualified under Article 63(1h) of the Constitution, read with Section 232 of the Elections Act, 2017.

The article deals with disqualifications for members of parliament. Clause 1h states that a legislator can be disqualified if they are convicted of “any offence involving moral turpitude, sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years, unless a period of five years has elapsed since his release”.

“Therefore, Mr Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi is disqualified for a period of five years and is also de-notified as a returned candidate from constituency NA-45 Kurram-I,” the notification had said.

It should be noted that on August 29, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had suspended Imran’s sentence in the case.

Source: Dawn news

 

[The Bald Eagle]

If Imran Khan's disqualification gets ruled out before election then certainly this would pump a new life into PTI.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

As a bonus we wouldn't have to listen to prissy speeches from the mincing Bhutto offspring.

 

[deltexas]

If Imran Khan's disqualification gets ruled out before election then certainly this would pump a new life into PTI.

Good luck with that. They made sure Imran will not contest for atleast 5 years. Without imran there will be always be a question mark on the election..

 

[the Great Khan]

It is entirely possible that Imran gets freed once nawaz is the pm. A sort of check and balance for the ladla from his handlers. Overall i see no real change in Pakistan in the short term. If you are young try and get out. There is no future here.

 

[Bewal Express]

If Imran Khan's disqualification gets ruled out before election then certainly this would pump a new life into PTI.

PTI would win around 80% of seats in a free and fair election. Not a single Noora from the mafia family would get elected. And they also know this and hence the evil crack down from the mafia.

 

[Savak]

In an absolutely free fair election without any influence or rigging by the establishment, PDM, PTI will still win without IK, this is how much people are dissatisfied with the status quo, people right now have been terrorized and silenced by the establishments and PDM's police state response after May 9 but can they channel their anger and frustration on election day?

 

[BouncerGuy]

Imran to contest polls from three constituencies

ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan would contest the upcoming general elections from three constituencies of Lahore, Mianwali and Islamabad, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, Mr Gohar said the former premier would be provided with his nomination papers on Thursday (today), vowing that “Khan sahib will contest these polls, God willing”.

On Aug 5, a trial court in Islamabad convicted Imran Khan in a case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that involved concealing details of state gifts and jailed him for three years.

The verdict meant he was disqualified from contesting general elections for five years. However, the same month the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended Mr Khan’s three-year sentence, but he still remains in jail in other cases.

Earlier this month, the Islamabad High Court reserved its verdict on Mr Khan’s petition seeking the suspension of his conviction in the Toshakhana gifts case.

Mr Khan had asked all party workers to file their nomination papers, Mr Gohar said, adding that the decision to allot party tickets would still be taken by the former premier. Mr Gohar said he would also participate in the upcoming polls from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner district.

The newly elected PTI chairman said the party wanted polls to be held on Feb 8 at any cost. He highlighted that his party had time and again stressed the need for a level playing field for all political parties.

However, he alleged that nomination papers were being “snatched” from party candidates. “Today, we were very upset at what Shah [Mehmood Qureshi] sahib told us,” he noted, claiming that the PTI vice chairman’s nomination papers had been “snatched” from Mr Qureshi’s secretary.

“If you snatch nomination papers from people, it would be sham elections,” he said.

Barrister Ali Zafar, speaking alongside Mr Gohar outside Adiala Jail, said the IHC was set to release its verdict on Mr Khan’s petition challenging conviction in the Toshakhana case. “We hope that the judgment will soon be announced because the [election] schedule has been released,” the lawyer said, hoping that the verdict would be in the PTI’s favour.

“As long as the PTI candidates are concerned, our workers in jail, who have rendered sacrifices for the party in this difficult time, would be 100 per cent allotted tickets on a priority basis,” he said.

“The rest of the candidates have also been finalised and their names will be announced soon,” Mr Zafar stated. He said that stopping party workers from filing nomination papers was an “undemocratic exercise” and would jeopardise free and fair elections. “We request the ECP to take action on this,” the lawyer added.
​

Imran to contest polls from three constituencies

Ex-PM to sign nomination papers for Lahore, Mianwali, Islamabad today; PTI laments raids on workers’ houses without warrants.

www.dawn.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

In a significant development ahead of the February 8 general elections, the nomination papers of Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), were rejected from National Assembly constituency NA-122 Lahore.

The Returning Officer (RO) cited Khan's conviction by the court and disqualification under Article 63 (1)(h) of the Constitution as the reasons for the rejection.

Additionally, he said, the proposer of Khan was found to be not a registered voter in the constituency, violating section 60(1) of the Election Act 2017.

On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif had his nomination papers accepted from Lahore’s NA-130, with no objections raised against him.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif also had his nomination papers accepted from Lahore’s NA-123. The RO also approved the nomination papers of PTI's senior lawyers Sardar Latif Khan Khosa and Azhar Siddique from the same constituency.

Furthermore, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz's nomination papers for the provincial seat PP-159, Lahore, were accepted, along with the papers of PML-N leaders Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Atta Tarar from NA-117.

PTI leaders Abrarul Haq and Ali Ijaz's nomination papers were also accepted from NA-117, as well as Aleem Khan's from NA-117 representing the Istehqam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).

However, PTI leader Dr Yasmeen Rashid's nomination papers were rejected from NA-130, and Hammad Azhar's papers from PP-172 faced a similar fate.

On Thursday, the RO had reserved decision of PMLN’s application wherein some objections raised on PTI’s founding chairman Imran Khan’s nomination papers he had submitted for NA-122.

The PML-N’s former MPA and the current contester Mian Naseer submitted objections before the RO, claiming that Imran had been convicted in the Toshakhana case and his nomination papers were not attested by the jail superintendent. He also claimed that his seconder did not belong to the constituency where the PTI founder was contesting from.

The RO’s room was packed with PTI supporters, on a point some fiery arguments also took place between the counsels of both sides.

During arguments, the Imran's counsels requested the RO to dismiss the objections as non-maintainable, adding that the seconders and proposers belonged to the same constituency the PTI founder was contesting from.

The counsel for the objector implored that they have no personal grudge against Imran, adding that there are certain legal aspects which need to be focused upon.

It is essential that the proposer and seconder of any candidate must be the resident of that constituency where the contester is contesting, the objector’s counsel argued. He further argued that the ECP had convicted Imran for five years, hence, how could he file nomination papers.

"An application against Imran's disqualification is still pending before the Lahore High Court (LHC)," argued the PTI counsel.

"Did LHC suspend the disqualification," the RO asked. To which the PTI counsel replied that the LHC had not suspended the disqualification and the matter is still pending.

"Do you have any proof to establish that Imran's seconder does not belong to the constituency where he is contesting from," the RO further asked the objector’s counsel.

The objector's counsel argued that there is substantial evidence present and the RO has the authority to reject the nomination papers of the proposers and seconders if they do not belong to the relevant constituency.

He further pointed out that the seconder and proposer did not sign the nomination papers in the presence of Imran. To which PTI's counsel proposed the RO summon the person for satisfaction of his query.

Source: Express Tribune

Imran's nomination papers from NA-122 Lahore rejected | The Express Tribune

RO cites ex-PM’s conviction by the court and disqualification reasons for rejection

tribune.com.pk

 

[FearlessRoar]

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was charged on Wednesday with contempt of the electoral commission, his lawyer Naeem Haider Panjutha wrote on social media platform X.

The 71-year-old former cricket star has been embroiled in political and legal battles since he was ousted as prime minister in April 2022. He has not been seen in public since he was jailed for three years in August for unlawfully selling state gifts while in office from 2018 to 2022.

“The Election Commission indicted Imran Khan in the absence of lawyers,” wrote Panjutha.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) initiated contempt proceedings against Khan and other former leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

Khan, who is widely seen as the country’s most popular leader, denies all charges against him and says he is being by hounded by the powerful military, which wants to keep him out of the polls. The military denies this.

Last week, a high court refused to suspend Khan’s disqualification from contesting the elections.

Source: Arab News

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan charged with contempt of electoral watchdog – lawyer

KARACHI, Pakistan: Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was charged on Wednesday with contempt of the electoral commission, his lawyer Naeem Haider Panjutha wrote on social media platform X. The 71-year-old former cricket star has been embroiled in political and legal battles since he was...

www.arabnews.pk

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan Can Keep Imran Khan Out of Power, but It Can’t Keep His Popularity Down

It’s not been a great couple of years for Pakistan’s Imran Khan. Since his ouster as Prime Minister in an April 2022 no-confidence vote, the cricketer-turned-politician has been shot, hit with over 180 charges ranging from rioting to terrorism, and jailed in a fetid nine-by-11-foot cell following an Aug. 5 corruption conviction for allegedly selling state gifts. As Pakistan approaches fresh elections on Feb. 8, the 71-year-old’s chances of a comeback appear gossamer thin, despite retaining broad public support.

Pakistan’s military kingmakers are using every trick at their disposal to sideline the nation’s most popular politician and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Over recent months, thousands of PTI workers have been arrested, dozens of party leaders resigned following lengthy interrogations, Khan’s name was banned from mainstream media, and constituency boundary lines were redrawn to allegedly benefit his opponents. Khan’s own nomination papers have also been rejected.

“Elections are being held but I’ve got serious doubts whether real democracy or democratic principles are being followed,” says Samina Yasmeen, director of the Centre for Muslim States and Societies at the University of Western Australia.

And now Khan won’t even have his cricket bat.

On Monday, Khan’s PTI party was banned from using its iconic cricket bat logo on ballot papers, significantly hampering its chances amongst an electorate which is up to 40% illiterate. Most crucially, it effectively bans the PTI as a party and means its candidates will likely have to stand as independents, who will reportedly use a range of symbols ranging from a rollercoaster to a goat. “The election symbol is an integral component of fair elections,” Raoof Hasan, PTI’s principal spokesman and a former special assistant to Khan, tells TIME. “It’s rendering the party toothless.”

Pakistani lawmakers are constitutionally obliged to vote along party lines for certain key matters, including the leader of the house and financial legislation. But if PTI-backed candidates are officially independents, they are under no such constraints, making it much easier for the opposition to cobble together a coalition by targeting individuals with inducements. Additionally, PTI will be ineligible to receive its rightful proportion of the 200-odd parliamentary “reserved seats” for women and minorities that are allocated according to a party’s proportion of the overall vote, which would instead be divvied out to the other registered parties.

Then again, even registering as independents has not been easy for the PTI. Each candidate must file their nomination in the constituency where they intend to stand, but PTI’s candidates frequently find their nomination papers snatched from their hands by shadowy security personnel. To avoid this, the PTI has taken to dispatching several candidates with nomination papers in the hope that one might break through the security cordon.

But even if one does manage to submit papers, each candidate requires a proposer and seconder to attend the nomination in person. On many occasions, a PTI candidate has presented his papers only to find either or both has abruptly been “kidnapped,” says Hasan, meaning that an alleged 90% of its candidates’ nomination papers have been rejected. “This is massive pre-poll rigging.”

The hurdles facing Khan and PTI stand in stark contrast to the lot dealt to Nawaz Sharif, three-time former Prime Minister, who was most recently ousted for corruption in 2017 and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. In 2018, Sharif traveled to London on bail for medical treatment but absconded and remained a fugitive in exile. But on Oct. 21, an apparently healthy Sharif returned to Pakistan, where his corruption conviction was swiftly quashed and last week his lifetime ban from politics also overturned. On Monday, Sharif, 74, launched his campaign to return as Prime Minister for a fourth time—much to the chagrin of disenfranchised PTI supporters.

“The temperature is going to rise in the next few weeks when candidates step out to do rallies,” Khan’s sister, Aleema, tells TIME. “There’s going to be anger on the streets.”

It’s no secret that Pakistan’s military kingmakers have thrown their support behind Sharif, which ultimately means he’s a shoo-in to return to power. But Khan’s enduring popularity means more heavy-handed tactics will be required. Despite all PTI’s headwinds, and extremely patchy governance record while in power, a Gallup opinion poll from December shows the imprisoned Khan’s approval ratings stand at 57%, compared to 52% for Sharif. PTI remains confident that they will win if allowed to compete in a fair fight.

“People, especially at the grassroot level, are very pro-Imran Khan,” says Yasmeen. “Even if he tells them to vote for a piece of furniture, it will be elected.”

A big question is why the international community has been so muted in the face of such brazen irregularities—especially the U.S., which under the Joe Biden administration claims to have made democracy promotion a key foreign policy priority. The stakes are high; nuclear-armed Pakistan is drowning in $140 billion of external debt, while ordinary people are battling with Asia’s highest inflation, with food prices rising 38.5% year-on-year.

The truth is that Khan has few friends in the West after prioritizing relations with Russia and China. “From a Washington perspective, anyone would be better than Khan,” says Michael Kugelman, the director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.

Sharif, by contrast, is perceived as business-friendly and pro-America. Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Washington’s foreign policy priorities have shifted to China, Ukraine, and now Gaza. Yet the importance of a trusted partner in Islamabad was made plain this week following an Iranian airstrike on alleged Sunni militants in Pakistan territory that killed at least two children and threatens a further escalation of the violence already roiling the Middle East.

American priorities in Pakistan are keeping a lid on terrorism and stabilizing relations with arch-nemesis India—and Sharif has a better record on both. However, these priorities aren’t necessarily shared by Pakistan’s military overlords, who may be backing Sharif today but have engineered his ouster thrice in the past—once via a coup d’état. There remains “a lot of bad blood between Nawaz and the military,” says Kugelman, “even if he were to become the next Prime Minister, civil-military relations could take the same turn for the worse.”

After all, no Pakistan Prime Minister has ever completed a full term—and if Sharif gets back in, few would bet on him becoming the first at the fourth time of asking. It may be part of the reason why Khan has adopted a stoic disposition despite the deprivations of his prison cell. “He is cold in jail but quite happy,” says Aleema Khan. “He’s read so many books, maybe two to three every day, and he’s very content to have this retreat time—spiritually, mentally, and physically, he says he feels better.”

Perhaps content in the knowledge that, while February’s election may be beyond hope, in Pakistan you may be down, but you’re never truly out. And that’s all the more reason to keep fighting. “We shall be in the election,” says Hasan. “We’re not going to back off, we’re not going to walk away, we’re not going to forfeit even a single seat throughout the country.”
​

SOURCE: https://time.com/6556335/pakistan-e...gn=editorial&utm_term=world_&linkId=287766207