Introduction
Pakistan, situated in South Asia, possesses a multifaceted political history, featuring a multi-party system that significantly influences the formulation of governance and policies in the country. Although a myriad of political parties coexist, a select few consistently dominate the nation's political landscape. This article aims to scrutinize the major political parties in Pakistan, examining their origins, ideologies, and current positions.
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| What are the biggest political parties in Pakistan? |
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (پاکستان تحريکِ انصاف)
Following his victory in the 2018 elections, Khan assumed authority. However, the military establishment, which had seemed to support Khan in that vote, soon turned against him, and the first-ever no-confidence vote in Pakistani history resulted in Khan's removal from power.
In an accusation that they all refute, Khan charges the United States of working with the Pakistani military and his political enemies to have him removed. Following his resignation, protests calling for early elections were organized nationwide by Khan's party.
But after Khan was detained in May on suspicion of corruption, the demonstrations took a terrible turn. His followers went on the rampage, attacking both military and civilian facilities.
The authorities responded to the unrest with brutality. The PTI endured oppression, thousands of its workers were arrested, and hundreds of party officials were forced to resign.
Khan, who has had over 150 complaints brought against him, was found guilty of both corruption and revealing state secrets. He might spend the next 14 years behind bars.
His party's candidates are now compelled to run as independents after losing their election symbol, the cricket bat.
Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz (PMLN)
In 2013, a resounding majority propelled the centrist Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to power a third time.
However, a slew of corruption charges against the 74-year-old Sharif prevented him from serving out his entire term in office and led to his removal from office in 2017. In 2018, he and his daughter Maryam received a 10-year prison sentence, just days before the previous national election.
The party's political mainstay, Punjab, was led by Shehbaz Sharif, 72, Nawaz's younger brother when he assumed the prime ministership in 2022. That came after a vote of no-confidence in Khan and his administration was carried out by the PMLN as a member of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition. Khan had assumed leadership in 2018.
Supporters of Shehbaz refer to him as "Shehbaz speed" because of his enthusiasm and quick delivery on infrastructure projects, including the Metro Bus project in Lahore.
But during his 16 months as prime minister, Khan's PTI-led demonstrations and hyperinflation occurred.
Nawaz, however, returned to Pakistan in October after going into self-imposed exile for four years in the UK. Within weeks, the courts dismissed the corruption accusations against him, prompting analysts to speculate that the nation's powerful military had personally selected him to be the country's next prime minister.
Regaining Khan's support base will be the Sharifs' greatest task; even though he is serving numerous sentences in prison, Khan is still well-liked, particularly among young people in cities who are active on social media.
Before the polls, the PMLN remains the overwhelming favorite. Although the elder Sharif is the party's leader, it is unknown who of the brothers, should the PMLN win enough seats, would take the helm of the National Assembly.
Winning seats in 2018: 64
2013 seats won: 126
Pakistan People’s Party (پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی)
His mother, Benazir Bhutto, a two-time prime minister, led the party after his maternal grandpa, former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, founded it. Bhutto Zardari, 35, has large shoes to fill.
In his second election, the Bhutto dynasty scion will be running. After Khan was overthrown in 2022, he served as foreign minister for the PDM.
In a country where men in their 70s predominate, Bhutto Zardari stands out as a youthful leader in an even younger country, where the median age is only 20.
However, he will encounter difficulties, such as criticism of his party's four terms of running Sindh, particularly in light of the devastating flooding in 2022 that devastated a large portion of the province.
His campaign and agenda place a strong emphasis on relating to the nation's youth, and he has big ambitions to address climate change.
He would be following in the footsteps of his mother, who first assumed the nation's top administrative position in 1988 at the same age if he were to pull off a major upset and become prime minister.
Seats won in 2018: 43
Seats won in 2013: 34
Awami
National Party (ANP)
Asfandyar
Wali Khan's center-left party has progressive, secular stances on policy, but
it has been plagued by accusations of corruption and has been out of power for
almost 20 years.
The
11-party PDM alliance included the ANP.
Winning
seats in 2018: 1
2013
seats gained: 2
Pakistan's Muttahida Qaumi Movement
(MQM-P)
For almost thirty years, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement dominated Pakistan's largest city and commercial hub, Karachi, on the political scene
Historically, the MQM-P has consistently forged partnerships with the nationalist parties. in the 2018 elections, it was in alliance with the PTI, but in April 2022, it became loyal to the PDM
.
August
2016 saw the MQM-P split into two factions: one in Pakistan and the other in
London following an explosive speech given by its exiled leader, Altaf Hussain.
However,
the MQM-P's separate divisions and offshoots came together when the opportunity
to join the PDM alliance presented itself.
The
party's reputation in Sindh province has been undermined by previous
paramilitary operations that targeted it and its purported ties to criminal
activities in Karachi.
The
majority of its supporters are found in Karachi and its surrounding cities,
where there are sizable populations of displaced people from the 1947
subcontinental divide.
To reclaim its base, the MQM-P will take on PTI-affiliated
independents, Jamaat-e-Islami, the PPP, and youthful independent candidates.
2018
wins for seats: 6
2013
wins for seats: 18
Jamaat-e-Islami
(JI)
Despite
having a solid reputation for party organization, one of Pakistan's oldest
political parties has not fared well in elections.
It
has been out of power for decades, and its most recent significant victory came
during the 2002 elections, when General Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a
coup, was in charge.
With
its comparatively youthful commander, Hafiz Naeem, in Karachi, the JI is
primarily targeting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
After
a strong showing in the most recent Karachi local elections, the religious
party is attempting to win over supporters with a more centrist, moderate
platform.
2018
victories: 12 seats (in an alliance of religious parties)
2013
seats gained: 2
Jamiat-e-Ulema
Islam (JUI-F)
The
Muslim leader, who oversaw the PDM coalition, hopes to gain support by
utilizing his extensive network of religious seminaries.
Fazal ur Rehman is a shrewd political operative with a plethora of political experience in Pakistan who might perhaps build coalitions during the formation of the next administration.
2018
victories: 12 seats (in an alliance of religious parties)
2013
wins for seats: 11]
Conclusion
Pakistan's
political terrain showcases a diverse array of parties, each contributing to
the nation's democratic process. While PTI, PML-N, PPP, and MQM stand out as
major political players, numerous smaller parties and independent candidates
also play indispensable roles. The dynamics of Pakistani politics continue to
evolve, shaped by regional, economic, and social factors. As the nation charts
its future course, the interplay of these political forces is poised to
significantly influence the trajectory of Pakistan's governance and
development.
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