After Pakistan’s shocking election result, all eyes are on the generals

2/12/24

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from The Washington Post,
2/12/24:

Four days after a shocking election result rattled Pakistan’s establishment, all eyes are on the powerful generals who have long been seen as the ultimate arbiters of politics in this country.

Their grip, a constant in this country since independence in 1947, suddenly appears in doubt according to supporters of jailed ex-premier Imran Khan. Candidates backed by the former leader gained more seats in a general election last week than any other political bloc, posing a remarkable challenge to the establishment that appeared determined to suppress them.

Khan’s party remains unlikely to be able to form a government because its candidates fell short of an absolute majority and other parties are unlikely to ally with it. They also all ran as independents and will be at a disadvantage in the complicated process of seat allocation that is expected to favor three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s party.

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