Pakistan: Former PM Calls for Early Vote After By-Election Victory

MAY 25 2022·Updated JUL 18 2022

Story

Image credit: AFP [via Al Jazeera]

The Facts

On Mon., Pakistan's former PM, Imran Khan, called for early elections after his PTI party won 15 of the 20 seats in a vote in the nation's Punjab province. The results saw the PTI succeed over their main opposition, PML-N, in Punjab.
BBC News
The by-elections were prompted when PTI MPs were disqualified for switching sides in a vote to support current PM Shehbaz Sharif as Punjab's chief minister.
BBC News
Khan was forced from office less than four months ago after he lost a vote of confidence. The ex-Pakistan cricket captain has since alleged the ballot was a foreign-orchestrated coup.
www.ft.com
Thousands have attended Khan's rallies, at which he has blamed the US for ousting him and the government currently led by Sharif for the dire economic situation in the country.
The New Arab
Pakistani media has suggested that the vote was a result of economic circumstances. Analysts have agreed Sharif inherited Pakistan's economic landscape and the PM was required to remove subsidies on fuel - causing prices to rapidly rise by 50% - to meet the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions for a resumption of a $7.2B aid package.
The New Arab
National elections must be held by Oct. 2023, though the Punjab province results may put Khan in a position to force them to take place sooner.
Pakistan Today

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The most populous province in Pakistan has spoken - clearly the masses are behind Khan's party. Pakistan wants to change and only free and fair elections will provide a platform for necessary reforms.

Al Jazeera

Narrative B

Khan is an insensitive man who left his country high and dry before being ousted. He accuses the current government of being "imported" and "unacceptable" but the government has been sensitive to the needs of the people through difficult times.