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Nawaz Sharif Urges Shehbaz to Use Diplomacy Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

May 9, 2025, 5:38 pm

As tensions between India and Pakistan grew following the terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan from London. According to The Express Tribune, he came back to guide his younger brother, current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during the ongoing crisis.

Nawaz Advises Diplomacy Over Aggression

Soon after reaching Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif was briefed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the outcomes of the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting. The meeting was held in response to India’s decision to halt the Indus Waters Treaty. Nawaz advised that the government should act diplomatically to calm the situation rather than take a confrontational path.

The Express Tribune quoted sources saying that Nawaz wanted the ruling PML-N coalition to “utilise all available diplomatic resources to restore peace” between the two nuclear-armed nations. He reportedly made it clear he was not in favour of any aggressive stance.

Nawaz Sharif Reflects on Past Conflicts with India

This is not the first time Nawaz Sharif has called for peaceful relations with India. Back in 2023, he openly spoke about why his government was overthrown in 1999, hinting that it was due to his opposition to the Kargil War.

“I want to know why my governments were overthrown in 1993 and 1999. Was it because we opposed the Kargil war,” Nawaz had said, according to The News International. He pointed out that PML-N often governed successfully but was repeatedly removed from office.

Admitting Fault Over Kargil Conflict

Nawaz Sharif also admitted that Pakistan had violated an agreement with India in 1999. Referring to the Lahore Declaration, signed with then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said:

“On May 28, 1998, Pakistan carried out five nuclear tests. After that Vajpayee Saheb came here and made an agreement with us. But we violated that agreement…it was our fault,” he stated.

The Lahore Declaration, signed on February 21, 1999, aimed to promote peace and stability between the two countries. However, shortly after this, Pakistani troops infiltrated Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir, triggering the Kargil War.

Nawaz Sharif Advises Pakistan PM to Avoid Agression Over Pahalgam Terror Attack

April 28, 2025, 3:05 pm

Amid fears of military escalation following the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has advised his brother, current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to avoid aggression. The attack, which killed 26 people, reportedly involved Pakistan-backed terrorists. This tragedy has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. Nawaz, a three-time Prime Minister, urged Shehbaz to pursue diplomacy and use all available resources to restore peace with India.

Interesting development

Reports emerging from Pakistan says:@CMShehbaz went to elder brother @NawazSharifMNS to brief him on post- #PahalgamTerroristAttack situation, blaming India for the current tension

In return, the elder Sharif, who was the Pakistan PM during Kargil war,… pic.twitter.com/CtOaqW8BGt

— prabhash k dutta (@PrabhashRinkoo) April 28, 2025

A Call for Diplomacy Rather Than Aggression

The Pahalgam attack has put India and Pakistan on tenterhooks. India is likely to respond, and Pakistan has promised to retaliate. This process of escalation threatens to push the region into war. But Nawaz, who is known for his practical nature, has asked Shehbaz to pursue diplomacy. Sources in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) say that Nawaz Sharif feels that aggressive behavior will only generate more tensions.

Nawaz has always been a proponent of diplomacy with India. In 2018, he demanded improved management of non-state actors who use violence and condemned Pakistan’s reaction to the Mumbai attack. His statement resulted in a case of sedition, but Nawaz has been firm in his conviction that dialogue can de-escalate tensions.

Pakistan’s Reaction to the Pahalgam Attack

After the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan volunteered to carry out an impartial investigation. Yet, Pakistani rhetoric has been acrimonious. Pakistan called India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty an “act of war” and suspended all bilateral agreements, including the 1972 Simla Agreement. Pakistani political rhetoric has also heated up. Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi said that Pakistan’s 130 nuclear missiles were targeting India, poised to fire. Meanwhile, Shehbaz’s coalition partner Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made provocative comments regarding Pakistan’s water rights, threatening that either Pakistan’s water would run, or India’s blood would spill.

The Risk of Escalation

Nawaz Sharif’s appeal for diplomacy is promising, but the threat of military conflict remains. The warlike statements of Pakistani politicians and India’s war preparations can fuel more conflict. Nawaz’s counsel marks a turning point for Pakistan’s leadership. The nation needs to strike a balance between national security and peace. Nawaz realizes that military intervention cannot yield a long-term solution.

Will Diplomacy Prevail?

As tensions escalate, the question is: Will Pakistan’s leadership listen to Nawaz Sharif’s call for diplomacy, or will war talk prevail? The world waits anxiously, aware of the catastrophic effects of a military war between two nuclear powers. Although Nawaz’s counsel provides a way out of war, the future is uncertain.

Nawaz Sharif after S Jaishankar’s visit: ‘India and Pakistan should bury past’

October 18, 2024, 7:08 am

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, described the recent visit of India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, to Islamabad as a “good opening” to improve relations between the two countries. This statement was reported by the news agency PTI.

Jaishankar visited Pakistan on Tuesday for a brief, nearly 24-hour trip to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, marking the first time an Indian foreign minister has visited Pakistan in nine years. This visit occurred amid the ongoing tension between the neighboring nations.

A Call for Engagement and Moving Forward

During a discussion with Indian journalists, Nawaz Sharif, who has served as Pakistan’s prime minister three times and is the current president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N), emphasized that it is time for both countries to engage in dialogue and progress towards improving their relationship.

Sharif commended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unexpected visit to Lahore in December 2015 and expressed disappointment over the prolonged pause in diplomatic ties since then. He urged both sides to adopt a positive outlook and move forward.

“We can’t change our neighbours, neither can Pakistan nor can India. We should live like good neighbours,” said the 74-year-old leader. He further added, “We have spent 70 years in this way (fighting) and we should not let this go on for the next 70 years… Both sides should sit down and discuss how to go forward.”

Criticism of Imran Khan’s Role in Deteriorating Relations

Nawaz Sharif pointed out that the current breakdown in communication between India and Pakistan was largely due to the actions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He specifically mentioned Khan’s comments directed at Prime Minister Modi, which he believes significantly harmed the bilateral relationship.

“Imran Khan used words that destroyed the relationship—as leaders of the two countries and neighbours, we should not even think, let alone utter such words,” Sharif stated, referring to a post Imran Khan made in September 2018, which was believed to target Modi.

Sharif’s Vision for Building Bridges Between the Countries

Sharif also expressed his desire to play a role in improving ties between India and Pakistan. He highlighted the significance of resuming trade and cricket between the two nations as ways to ease tensions and rebuild relations.

Trade between India and Pakistan has been halted since 2019, following India’s decision to impose heavy duties on Pakistani imports in response to the Pulwama attack in the same year. Sharif stressed the importance of restoring these ties to break the ice and encourage peaceful relations between the neighboring countries.

Nawaz Sharif Welcomes Jaishankar’s Visit, would have loved if PM Modi came

October 17, 2024, 8:18 pm

The recent visit of India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting on October 16 has generated discussions about a possible shift in India-Pakistan relations. Speaking exclusively to India Today, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed optimism that Jaishankar’s visit could signal a fresh beginning for bilateral ties.

Call for Resumption of the Peace Process

Sharif emphasized the need to reignite the stalled peace process between India and Pakistan, pointing out the longstanding tensions between the two nations. He urged both countries to move forward and address pressing global issues, such as energy and climate change, in a collaborative manner.

“We should pick up the threads from where we left,” Sharif said, reflecting on the unresolved disputes that have defined relations over the decades. He added, “75 years have passed like this. Let’s not waste 75 more years.”

Hopes for Prime Minister Modi’s Participation

Sharif expressed his wish that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could have attended the SCO summit in person. “Would have loved for Modi to come,” Sharif said, while also stressing the importance of good neighborly relations, saying, “Can’t change our neighbours. We should live like good neighbours.”

Jaishankar’s Statement at SCO: A Veiled Message to Pakistan

During the SCO meeting, Jaishankar delivered a speech that indirectly addressed concerns about Pakistan. He highlighted the negative impact of cross-border terrorism, extremism, and separatism on efforts to enhance trade, energy cooperation, and connectivity within the region.

“Our endeavours will progress only when our commitment to the Charter remains firm,” Jaishankar stated. He warned that activities across borders, marked by terrorism and extremism, would hinder any efforts to foster trade, energy flows, and people-to-people exchanges.

Jaishankar Meets Pakistani Officials

Apart from attending the formal SCO meeting, Jaishankar also met with Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, a close associate of Nawaz Sharif. The meeting further raised hopes for greater diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad marks a significant moment, raising speculation about whether the troubled India-Pakistan relationship could see positive developments in the future. However, the challenges posed by security concerns and unresolved disputes remain central to the discussion.

Nawaz Sharif Congratulates PM Modi: “Your Party’s Success In Elections …….”

June 10, 2024, 6:13 pm

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on assuming office for the third consecutive term. Sharif emphasized that the BJP’s success in recent elections underscores the confidence the people have in Modi’s leadership.

In a message posted on X, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader stated, “My warm felicitations to Modi Ji (@narendramodi) on assuming office for the third time. Your party’s success in recent elections reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership. Let us replace hate with hope and seize the opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia.”

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated PM Modi for taking the oath for the third consecutive term. “Felicitations to @narendramodi on taking oath as the Prime Minister of India,” Shehbaz Sharif posted on X.

On Sunday, Narendra Modi took the oath as Prime Minister of India for his third successive term in a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The event was attended by leaders from India’s neighboring countries and the Indian Ocean region. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Modi, followed by other members of his ministerial team.

The ceremony saw the presence of notable leaders including Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, and Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif.

Narendra Modi’s leadership journey includes two terms as Prime Minister beginning in 2014 and being the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat from October 2001 to May 2014. His tenure has been marked by several key initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Housing for All, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Man Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, UDAN, and Make in India.

Nawaz Sharif Admits Pakistan’s Violation Of 1999 Lahore Agreement

May 29, 2024, 11:23 am

Years after the signing of the 1999 Lahore agreement between India and Pakistan, former Pakistan’s prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the first time admitted, that it was Islamabad who violated the agreement, signed by him and ex-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Tuesday.

Addressing the meeting of PML-N general council meeting, sharif admitted, that after the testing of nuclear weapons by Pakistan on May 28, 1998, former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Pakistan and signed an agreement with them. But later, they violated the agreement. Thus, referencing the Kargil War.

“On May 28, 1998, Pakistan carried out five nuclear tests. After that Vajpayee Saheb came here and agreed with us. But we violated that agreement…it was our fault.” said Nawaz Sharif, after becoming the party’s president.

“US President Bill Clinton offered Pakistan USD 5 billion”

Later documenting his journey, sharif claimed, that US President Bill Clinton offered Pakistan USD 5 billion, to stop nuclear tests. In response, he refused.

Attacking former PM Imran Khan, he also claimed, that if somebody like Khan had been in his stead, he would have gladly accepted the offer.

“President Bill Clinton had offered Pakistan USD 5 billion to stop it from carrying out nuclear tests, but I refused. Had (former prime minister) Imran Khan like a person been on my seat he would have accepted Clinton’s offer,” said Sharif on the day of the 26th anniversary of their first nuclear test.

The 74-year-old Nawaz Sharif recounted vivid memories of the day he was ousted from the Prime Minister’s office in 2017, citing an alleged false case imposed by Pakistan’s Chief Justice Saqib Nisar.

In contrast, he claimed that all the cases against Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf founder were true.

Furthermore, he elaborated on the crucial role played by former ISI chief Gen Zahirul Islam in toppling his government in 2017 to bring Imran Khan into power.

He then directed a question to Khan, challenging him to deny, even once, that he wasn’t launched by ISI. Additionally, Sharif asserted that Imran Khan used to be subservient to the military’s leadership.

“I ask Imran not to blame us (of being patronized by the army) and tell whether Gen Islam had talked about bringing the PTI into power.” said Nawaz Sharif.

The three-time prime minister, also alleged, that general Islam threatened to make example out of him, if he did not resign from office in 2014.

Meanwhile, praising his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif, he said, that his brother stood by him irrespective of the circumstances.

“Efforts were made to create differences between us, but Shehbaz remained loyal to me. Even Shehbaz was asked to become PM in the past and leave me, but he declined.” said sharif.

About Lahore Agreement

On February 21, 1999, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee of India and Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan, in a historic summit, signed an agreement known as the Lahore Agreement.

This agreement provided the framework for maintaining peaceful relations between both countries. It was agreed that all issues, including that of Jammu and Kashmir, would be resolved through peaceful means.

Besides, New Delhi and Islamabad, also agreed for immediate steps, in reducing the accidental and unauthorized use of nuclear weapons. Followed by agreement over several confidence-building measures.

But just after the declaration, the pakistani army in disguise of kashmiri terrorists infiltrated Indian side and took Indian army’s winter vacated posts. Their operation name was “Operation Badr”.

The aim of the operation was to cut off the link between Kashmir and Ladakh to alienate Indian army on Siachen glacier. Thus, taking India to Negotiation table regarding Kashmir issue and also violating the agreement.

After detection of infiltration, Indian forces got ready to push back pakistani army. Thus, leading to start of Operation Vijay or popular called Kargil war.

Nawaz Sharif Admits Pakistan Violated Peace Deal With India In 1999

May 29, 2024, 4:10 am

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif admitted on Tuesday that Islamabad had “violated” an agreement with India in 1999. This disclosure was made during a PML-N general council meeting, where Sharif took on the presidency of the ruling party, six years after his disqualification by the country’s Supreme Court.

Sharif stated, “On May 28, 1998, Pakistan carried out five nuclear tests. After that Vajpayee Saheb came here and made an agreement with us. But we violated that agreement…it was our fault.” The agreement he referred to was the “Lahore Declaration,” signed on February 21, 1999, by Sharif and then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, aimed at fostering peace and stability between India and Pakistan. However, shortly after the signing, Pakistani troops infiltrated the Kargil district in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the Kargil War.

During the meeting, Sharif mentioned that he conducted the nuclear tests despite facing pressure from the United States and subtly criticized former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said, “President Bill Clinton had offered Pakistan USD 5 billion to stop it from carrying out nuclear tests but I refused. Had (former prime minister) Imran Khan like a person been on my seat he would have accepted Clinton’s offer,” on the day Pakistan marked the 26th anniversary of its first nuclear tests.

Sharif also asserted that former ISI chief Gen Zahirul Islam played a role in orchestrating the downfall of his government in 2017 to facilitate Imran Khan’s rise to power. He challenged Imran Khan, saying, “I ask Imran not to blame us (of being patronised by the army) and tell whether Gen Islam had talked about bringing the PTI into power,” and added that Khan “would sit at the feet of the military establishment.”

Additionally, Sharif accused former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Saqib Nisar, of ousting him from the Prime Minister’s office in 2017 based on a false case.

Imran Khan Wins Over Young Pakistani Voters

February 10, 2024, 1:14 pm

On election night, Naila Khan Marwat rejoiced with scores of teenage volunteers beneath massive wall-mounted photographs of imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan whenever TV polls indicated their candidate was in the lead.

Then she returned to her laptop to collect complaints from candidates about alleged electoral rules infractions, which she compiled with 50 other young women and gave to party attorneys who were beginning legal challenges.

Marwat, 26, worked until the early hours of Friday at the party headquarters in Pakistan’s capital, closely monitoring the results, a more perplexing task than usual since former cricket hero Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters were barred from running as PTI candidates and using the cricket bat party symbol. They had to run as independent candidates.

“We have memorised all of the symbols and all the names of our candidates,” said Marwat, a law student. “We know every candidate and every symbol.”

Pakistan held a vital general election on Thursday as it strives to recover from an economic crisis and combats violence in a profoundly split political environment.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared victory on Friday, claiming his party had emerged as the largest and that he would work with other organizations to build a coalition administration.

The final results were uncertain due to an unprecedented counting delay, but independents, mostly backed by the PTI, accounted for the largest group, with 92 of the 225 seats counted by 1600 GMT, outperforming expectations and surprising many.

Khan was removed from office in 2022, imprisoned in August, and banned from politics for corruption and criminal allegations.

Analysts believe the PTI’s strong performance reflects a possible protest element driving attendance as well as Khan’s ongoing popularity. They are concerned that if the independents are unable to form a government on their own, their high numbers will make Pakistan more unstable.

PTI supporters claimed the playing field was unequal, including a day-long suspension of cellphone services during polling due to security concerns following a string of militant assaults. The PTI relies significantly on its social media presence, which includes automated social media answers that assist individuals in finding polling booths and PTI-backed candidates.

Pakistan’s electoral commission has stated that it will investigate charges of violations.

“PTI is definitely here to stay. It may have been hollowed out and cut down to size, but … its support base remains large and loyal,” said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. “Khan remains a force to be reckoned with, even from his jail cell.”

That support base, which disagrees with strong army generals, has been dealing with a military-backed crackdown. The party claims the crackdown intensified ahead of Thursday’s vote as the military attempted to keep it out of the contest, something the army disputes.

Some analysts and voters believe Khan supporters were motivated to vote by the impression of military interference in politics, as well as irritation with months of rising prices and outrage over Khan’s three prison sentences.

“One of the reasons the military may be concerned is that there are signs of some genuine grassroots support,” said Maya Tudor, associate professor at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, adding the mobile services suspension on election day, after authorities had reassured people there would be no blanket communications failure, was a possible sign of worry.

Marwat, a law student, stated that she joined the PTI in 2016 and cast her first vote for it in 2018, enticed by its leader, whom she considered as “true” to Pakistan. Khan’s statements inspired her and many of her friends, she explained.

“Haven’t you seen the other great leaders? Like Nelson Mandela? …There are so many great leaders who have been in prison and they are suffering a lot,” she said. “But things change.”

Pakistan’s elections have long been plagued by allegations of cheating and the imprisonment of political leaders. While the turmoil is not new, analysts and supporters believe the PTI’s responsive campaign that crosses demographics is.

With its star sportsman figurehead and social media presence, the PTI is also popular among Pakistan’s large youth population, which grows with each election cycle. Pakistan has grown by an estimated 10 million people since the 2018 election, according to newspaper Dawn.

Nayaba Akhtar, a 21-year-old software engineering student, said she was encouraged to vote for a PTI-backed independent candidate.

“It feels great,” she said. “I’m sad Imran Khan isn’t here, but I’m happy my first vote is for Imran Khan.”

Both Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif Declare Victory As Pak Elections Results Drag On

February 10, 2024, 11:29 am

Sharif’s announcement came following the declaration of results for over three-quarters of the 265 seats, more than 24 hours after polling ended on Thursday amidst militant attacks claiming 28 lives.

Analysts had anticipated a lack of a clear winner, compounding the challenges for a nation grappling with economic turmoil and escalating militancy in a highly polarized political landscape.

Independent candidates, largely supported by Khan, secured the majority of seats with 98 out of 245 counted by 1830 GMT. Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won 69 seats while Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party garnered 51.

In a speech to supporters in Lahore, Sharif emphasized his party’s position as the largest after the elections and expressed the commitment to steer the nation out of crisis. He extended respect to all parties and independents who secured mandates and invited them to collaborate in rebuilding the nation.

Contrarily, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) released an audio-visual message via social media, disputing Sharif’s victory claim, congratulating his supporters, and urging them to safeguard their vote.

Khan, currently incarcerated, highlighted the massive voter turnout and dismissed Sharif’s assertion due to his party’s fewer seats and alleged electoral rigging.

With the delayed results, the formation of a new government faces uncertainties, exacerbating policy and political ambiguity amid challenging macroeconomic conditions, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

Analysts anticipate a coalition government to encounter difficulties, particularly in seeking a new IMF bailout, as the current arrangement nears expiration in three weeks.

The electoral contest was perceived as a showdown between Khan-backed candidates and PML-N, with Khan alleging military interference against his party while analysts suggest Sharif enjoys military support.

A coalition government is expected to struggle in addressing various challenges, including economic woes and security issues, potentially deepening instability in the country.

Candidates supported by Imran Khan’s party take lead as election commission announces results

February 9, 2024, 10:19 am

In Pakistan’s recent election, independent candidates associated with incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan surpassed expectations, as indicated by local TV reports. Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was unable to participate in the election as a unified bloc, but informal tallies from local TV channels suggested that independent candidates, many endorsed by PTI, were leading in most constituencies.

Over 13 hours after polling stations closed, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had announced only eight National Assembly results, with three seats going to PTI-affiliated candidates, citing “internet problems” as the cause of the delay. This prompted criticism from the public, with concerns raised about potential financial market fluctuations.

PTI Chief Organizer Omar Ayub Khan expressed confidence in the party’s performance, stating that PTI-backed independent candidates had the capability to form the next federal government with a two-thirds majority.

Contrary to expectations that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would secure the most seats, local TV channels reported a poor performance by the party. PML-N founder Nawaz Sharif trailed in one of the contested constituencies, while his brother Shehbaz, appointed prime minister after Khan’s ousting in April 2022, lagged behind in another.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) seemed to outperform predictions, with PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari describing early results as “very encouraging.”

The election was marred by allegations of rigging, and a shutdown of the country’s mobile phone network on voting day further intensified concerns. PTI’s Roof Hassan suggested potential tampering with results, while Michael Kugelman of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars implied that delays in result announcements aimed to facilitate interference in the electoral process.

Despite challenges, millions of Pakistanis voted, with concerns about the accuracy of vote counting. The deployment of over 650,000 security personnel aimed to ensure a secure voting environment, with fewer attacks reported compared to 2018.

The election echoed a previous poll’s dynamics, with Nawaz Sharif disqualified and Imran Khan supported by the military, illustrating the historically contested nature of Pakistan’s elections, characterized by accusations of rigging and military influence described by Gallup Pakistan’s Bilal Gilani as a “managed democracy.”

Security Experts Denounce Pakistan Election as Purely Sham

February 8, 2024, 11:02 am

As Pakistan’s elections begin, numerous security experts believe that this is a fake election in which the Army continues to call the shots and one of the country’s leading political parties, the PTI, has the majority of its leadership in jail.
Brigadier (Retd) Anil Gupta, a defence specialist, has called Pakistan’s elections “purely a sham” and stated that the Pakistan Army wants to re-elect Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif. He claimed that Pakistan’s army is once again attempting to mainstream terrorist organizations.

“This election in Pakistan is a purely a sham election. The Pakistan army of late has got used to governing Pakistan through remote control. So that if things go wrong, they can blame the civil administration. They already made up their mind. They want to bring in Nawaz Sharif. All this is being done, this exercise in futility is being done to bring back Nawaz Sharif. They have ensured that there is no opposition” Brigadier Gupta (Retd) said.

“Imran Khan and his party are already decimated. Imran Khan is in jail. All important leaders of his party are in jail. Hence, it’s a foregone conclusion that the next Prime Minister of Pakistan is going to be Nawaz Sharif, who is having the blessings of the Pakistan Army. But one thing more dangerous in this election is that Pakistan is once again trying, the army is once again trying to mainstream the terrorist organizations there,” he added.

More than 17,000 candidates will compete in Pakistan’s elections today, according to Dawn. Voters will elect 266 candidates to the Pakistan National Assembly, who will then select the new Prime Minister via a majority vote. Simultaneously, voters will elect delegates to their respective province assemblies, who will subsequently select provincial chief executives in a similar manner.
Former High Commissioner of India to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, feels the elections are rigged and the outcome is inevitable.

“From all accounts, these elections on 8th February are not just the most predictable, but also the most rigged, because it’s clear for everyone in Pakistan if you see the commentary that is coming from within the country, that the election results are clear, the army in various ways is doing pre-election engineering, it will probably do some election engineering and post-election engineering to get a government that it wants in place. It is said that it will possibly be a selection of Nawaz Sharif and his PMLN party, I think that is a widespread expectation, and that’s fairly accurate” Bisaria said.

Defence Expert Qamar Agha further stated that when relations between the Army and the Sharifs developed, everything was predetermined.

“The result of these elections is pre-decided, right from who will be the Prime Minister to how many seats will each party win. If you see there are 2 main candidates, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto. On one hand, Nawaz Sharif is trying to emerge as the single largest party, but if he forms a government in coalition, then he might promote his daughter Maryam as Prime Minister. Nawaz Sharif’s relations with the Pakistan Army have improved, his family has been rehabilitated, and he has been forgiven for his crimes. Violence is regularly going on in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Even if the army manages these elections, running the government will be a very difficult task seeing the serious economic crisis and political instability in the country.” Agha said.

Speaking on the attacks happening during the election process, Defence Expert Sushant Sareen said, “There was an apprehension that there will be these kind of attacks on the electoral process. In fact, the attacks have been happening for over a week now. And there was an attack on a police station. Over a dozen policemen were killed. There have been a number of other attacks at smaller levels against candidates in Balochistan. It’s particularly bad. because both in the Baloch areas as well as the Pashtun areas, there’s a lot of resistance to Pakistan out there, and people don’t identify themselves with the elections. So, I think there is this wave of violence which has taken over.”

He mentioned that many people have overlooked minor attacks on candidates, their offices, and others. He stated that there is some speculation that the Pakistani army was carrying out “false flag attacks” in these incidents. He stated that some of these attacks will ensure that voting is low, allowing the military to control how voting is conducted.

“There have been smaller attacks, which have escaped the attention of many people on candidates, on their offices, and others. There is some speculation whether these attacks were being done as false flag attacks by the Pakistan army because there was some speculation that they might not want elections to go ahead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. So you carry out an election in Sindh and Punjab and then delay the elections in the other two provinces where at least in KP, there was an apprehension that Imran Khan’s party or his candidate might do much better and then create a problem out there” Sareen said.

“But, I think over the last couple of days, the military seems to have been convinced that they’ve managed to get a hold over the situation. And some of these attacks will ensure that the turnout at polling stations is low, which means that it kind of allows the military to ensure that voting goes the way they want it to go and their favorites and the people they are backing can actually win these elections. And I say win in inverted commas. So I think that is what is happening. It’s unfortunate that there have been so many lives lost. There’s been so much of violence. But, this was expected anyways,” he added.

Dawn reported that two back-to-back bombs shook Balochistan on Wednesday, killing at least 26 people and injuring several more.

Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N to officially unveil party manifesto on January 27

January 23, 2024, 4:31 pm

According to ARY News, Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has declared that it will formally present its party manifesto on January 27. Under the direction of Senator Irfan Siddique, the PML-N established the manifesto committee in October 2023 to develop the party’s platform. The Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N has set up an online forum to receive feedback for the party’s 2024 election manifesto from experts, professionals, Pakistanis living overseas, and locals.

According to party sources, the PML-N has given special attention to jobs and the improvement of living standards, as reported by ARY News.
The PML-N plans to increase higher education funding from 13 per cent to 30 per cent, the sources said, according to ARY News.
“The PML-N aimed at policies to unleash an agricultural and industrial revolution in the country,” the party sources said.
The general elections will be held on February 8.
In a major ‘breakthrough’ for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ahead of the nationwide polls, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Mehr Muhammad Waseem announced his withdrawal in favour of PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz, according to Geo News.

Farooq Abdullah Warns of Gaza-Like Situation for Jammu and Kashmir Without Political Dialogue; Urges India-Pakistan Resolution

December 26, 2023, 2:20 pm

Farooq Abdullah, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, gave a dire warning on Tuesday, stating that in the absence of political talks, the Union Territory would suffer a fate akin to Gaza. He called on the leaders of Pakistan and India to have talks to resolve their differences.

Speaking to ANI, Abdullah invoked the wisdom of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, noting, “Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said that we can change our friends but not our neighbors.”If we remain friendly with our neighbors, both will progress.” He highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s stance on the matter, stating that war is not an option and issues should be resolved through dialogue.

Expressing concern over the lack of dialogue between India and Pakistan, Abdullah questioned, “Where is the dialogue? Nawaz Sharif is about to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and they are saying that we are ready to talk (with India), but what is the reason why we are not ready to talk?” He cautioned that without a resolution through dialogue, Kashmir could face a situation similar to Gaza and Palestine, which are currently experiencing conflict with Israel.

Recalling historical events, Abdullah referenced Vajpayee’s visit to Pakistan in 1999, just months before the Kargil War, and Modi’s surprise meeting with Nawaz in 2015. He acknowledged that continuous attempts by Pakistan to infiltrate Indian territory with terrorists have strained relations.

The 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 further exacerbated tensions between India and Pakistan. Abdullah’s warning comes in the wake of a recent terror attack on an Army convoy in the Poonch sector, resulting in the deaths of four soldiers.

Dismiss US ambassador over Biden remark, says Pak’s Islamist party

October 17, 2022, 9:25 pm

A top Islamist political party in Pakistan has demanded the expulsion of the US ambassador from Islamabad until an apology is issued for the “dangerous nation” remark by President Joe Biden.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief, Sirajul Haq, said that the former and current rulers in the country were American slaves, while the people believed in bowing down to the Almighty alone. He further said that both Imran Khan’s PTI and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) were pawns of the international establishment. He claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami is now the only option that can make the country happy and develop.

Last week, Biden’s remarks sparked a diplomatic row with Pakistan when he described the South Asian country as “one of the most dangerous nations” in the world that holds “nuclear weapons without any cohesion.”

The remarks were made while Biden was talking about US foreign policy with regard to China and Russia. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejected Biden’s comments on Pakistan’s nuclear weapons capability and called them “factually incorrect and misleading”.
“Over the past decades, Pakistan has proven to be a most responsible nuclear state, wherein its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system,” a statement from the PM’s office quoted PM Shehbaz Sharif as saying.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also came to his country’s defence. He tweeted, “Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state that is perfectly capable of safeguarding its national interest whilst respecting international law and practices. Our nuclear programme is in no way a threat to any country. Like all independent states,”

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan also reacted to Biden’s remark and asked on what basis the US President made this statement. “Equally important, this Biden statement shows the total failure of the imported government’s foreign policy and its claims of “reset of relations with the US”? Is this the “reset”? This govt has broken all records for incompetence, “Khan added.