EDITORIAL: ELECTIONS IN PAKISTAN
Vinod Mubayi and Raza Mir
The elections in Pakistan are over. There were sporadic and horrific incidents of violence, especially in Baluchistan. Initial results indicate that former cricketer Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Justice Party) will obtain the largest number of seats although it may fall short of a majority and will have to form a coalition with smaller parties. It is likely, however, that Imran will be installed as Prime Minister in the coming days.
Imran Khan has been characterized by many as a puppet of Pakistan’s army and his transformation from an international sports playboy to pious Islamic leader may be a bit too far to be completely convincing. In an article we carry below, Pervez Hoodbhoy, one of the leading intellectuals of Pakistan (and a member of Insaf Bulletin’s Editorial Board) calls Imran “Pakistan’s Donald Trump.” One hopes that after assuming power, Imran does not pursue a more intense Islamic agenda for Pakistan, and refrains from imitating his compatriot to the east, Narendra Modi, who is assiduously implementing Hindu Rashtra in India.
As the first four articles carried by this bulletin show, Pakistan has a long way to go before it will have cause to celebrate. The elections were marred by army influence at fundamental levels, and one hopes that Imran Khan does not prove to be a puppet in the hands of the armed forces. This is emerging news, however, so we should wait for the chips to fall before assessing the new Pakistani government.
In the meantime, we wish our readers a healthy, safe and happy summer!
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