Here’s what is happening across the border: EU observers term Pakistan elections ‘satisfactory’, and few takers for religious parties.
Cricketers raise a toast to Imran Khan
Set to become the first international cricketer (and one of the few sportspersons) to rise to their country’s top political office, Imran Khan was the toast of the cricket fraternity as results of the Pakistan election were announced, reported The Express Tribune.
Leading the plaudits was Kapil Dev, a former rival who, along with Khan, formed one half of the 1980s’ celebrated ‘golden quartet’ of all-rounders (England’s Ian Botham and New Zealand’s Rachard Hadlee were the other two).
“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate him [Imran] on this huge achievement. Winning a World Cup is one thing but leading a nation is a completely different ball game all together,” he was quoted as saying by the paper.
He added, “To be honest, his [Imran’s] achievements in cricket pale in comparison to leading a country. You shouldn’t discount his 25 years of struggle to reach this point either. He [Imran] is a born leader and I truly hope he can help his country.”
Others sent their wishes on Twitter.
Ma Shaa Allah @ImranKhanPTI U done it once again ??, Long Marathon Struggle against corruption ✅, A man of Strong Believe , #GREATLEADER #IRONMAN ?????????, Banay Ga Naya Pakistan ??, IN SHAA ALLAH ,
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) July 26, 2018
This is the result of 22 years of conviction , relentless efforts , determination and not giving up!
Congratulations @ImranKhanPTI You have done it!!!#PrimeMinisterImranKhan #NayaPakistan #ElectionPakistan2018Results
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 26, 2018
Who could be a bigger and better example of a leader than Imran Khan, who as a super star had the world at his feet and yet elbow greased for 22 years to work for his objective and vision..he’s special and we are proud to have him as our Prime Minister..
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) July 26, 2018
Congrat PTI and @ImranKhanPTI on a truly historic victory! The 22 yr old struggle has finally paid off & deservedly. Pakistanis have a lot of expectations from u I really hope u lead from the front! I request all opposing parties& media to accept the result and help rebuild ??
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) July 26, 2018
EU mission says elections satisfactory, military toed code
Michael Gahler, the chief observer for the European Union election observation mission in Pakistan, described as “satisfactory” the overall polling situation in the country, reported Dawn.
The mission had earlier observed elections in the nascent democracy in 2002, 2008, and 2013.
“Our observers visited as many as 300 polling stations in 87 constituencies and I have personally visited four polling stations,” said Gahler, noting that 36 of the 50 recommendations made by the mission after the 2013 election had been implemented or included in the electoral law.
Gahler, a member of the European parliament, also sought to dispel speculation around the army’s interference, saying that the mission appreciated the fact that the military strictly followed the code of conduct it was under.
“When asked that some political parties were complaining that they were not given a level playing field, Mr Gahler said that the mission could not get access for a month due to which it was mostly depending on media reports,” the report added.
China ‘pleased with Pakistan’s ‘successful election’
China has said that progress in ties with Pakistan won’t be affected no matter who forms the government there, ARY News reported.
During a press conference in Beijing Thursday, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuan said, “China is ready to work with the new Pakistani government and hopes that the country will maintain political and social stability and focus on development.”
He said that“China was pleased to see that Pakistan has held a successful election, and sincerely hopes that it will maintain political and social stability and focus on national development”.
The equation between India’s two neighbours has seen new highs of late, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor emerging the centerpiece of their deepening partnership.
Making his victory speech Thursday evening, PTI chief Imran Khan, whose party looks set to form the government, vowed to strengthen Islamabad’s ties with Beijing
PML(N) may not boycott parliament
The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), which earlier said it had rejected the result of the election on account of “poll rigging”, is believed to have decided against boycotting the newly constituted National Assembly.
At a meeting of the PML(N) central executive committee, presided over by party chief Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore Thursday, the party instead decided to serve the role of an “aggressive opposition”, reported Dawn.
However, PML(N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said the final decision on boycotting parliament will be taken after a multi-party conference (MPC) scheduled for Friday. “The country cannot afford agitation at this moment. The PML-N is not the PTI,” she added.
At the PML(N) meeting, a decision was also reportedly taken to form a joint strategy with other major parties to tackle the rigging issue.
Nawaz Sharif meets party leaders in jail
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, ousted and arrested over corruption charges, has reiterated his party’s claim to allege the election results were “tainted” and “dubious”, reported Dawn. He made the remarks – his first reaction to the results – during interactions with visitors at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where he is lodged.
Also present at the meeting were his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt Muhammad Safdar, also in jail, and his brother Shehbaz Sharif, the current chief of the PML(N).
Sharif reportedly said that the PML(N) candidates for Faisalabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi were “in a stable position but declared defeated”. He also said he thought Imran Khan was in a weaker position this year compared to 2013 elections, the report added.
Religious parties leave voters unimpressed
Apart from Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), none of Pakistan’s religious parties was able to make a mark this election, reported The Express Tribune.
The MMA, an alliance of several Islamic parties, was said to be leading in their stronghold of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Even so, Dawn reported that the MMA wants the results to be declared “null and void” as it questioned the transparency of the election exercise.
“The alliance emerged as the conglomeration of distinct Islamist parties in 2002 when it contested under a single banner during the nationwide general elections the same year,” the report in The Express Tribune states. “During the general election of 2002 when General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) was ruling as the president, the religious alliance of these parties not only formed government in K-P and Balochistan but also remained successful to secure the position of the opposition leader in the National Assembly,” it adds.
Contributors: Hansa Kapoor, Alind Chauhan, Prateek Gupta, Anagha Deshpande, Rupanwita Bhattacharjee and Sharanya Munsi.