ISLAMABAD:
The year 2024 turned out to be a transformative and politically charged year for Pakistan, dominated by general elections, significant legislative changes, judicial reforms and a persistent standoff between the PML-N-led government and the opposition, the PTI. While some moments signaled progress, others underscored the growing tensions and unresolved conflicts that have kept the political temperature high.
Throughout the year, the political landscape became increasingly polarized, divisions continued to deepen between the ruling coalition and opposition parties, and the PTI continued to challenge the legitimacy of the electoral process, the formation of the government, and subsequent legislative changes. The government’s legislative push, particularly the judicial reforms, not only changed the entire process of electing the Chief Justice of Pakistan, but led people to say that the wings of the judiciary were clipped.
The legislation on the extension of the term of office of the head of the army attracted attention for a moment, but did not go further. With each passing month, political dramas unfolded on multiple fronts: from fiery speeches in Parliament to high-stakes legislation and from protests to repressive measures. The ruling coalition and opposition parties continued to engage in a battle of narratives that kept the public in suspense.
As in previous years, political and economic instability, the law and order situation, judicial independence, electoral integrity and military influence remained priority issues. It seemed that uncertainty was the only certainty in the restless political scene.
General Elections
Although the general elections were due to be held in 2023, they finally took place on February 8, 2024, once again setting the stage for the political drama of the year. Accusations of fraud and manipulation overshadowed the electoral process with accusations ranging from pre-election fraud to post-election irregularities. Despite these claims, the PML-N coalition emerged victorious and formed a coalition government, paving the way for the re-election of Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister. The coalition government brought together PML-N, PPP, MQM-P and others to create another hung parliament, highlighting the fragile nature of Pakistan’s democratic and political landscape.
ECP and reserved seats
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) found itself at the center of controversy before, during and after the general elections. His decision to strip the PTI of its electoral symbol before the polls sparked harsh criticism and accusations of bias. Delays in announcing election results further fueled suspicions of irregularities, with many questioning the transparency of the process.
The unresolved issue of reserved seats added another layer of complexity. The suspension of these allocations by the Supreme Court left the ruling coalition without a two-thirds majority. Initially, the ECP failed to resolve the issue and then literally became a sandwich between the Supreme Court and Parliament as the apex court ordered one thing while the NA president asked the electoral body for another, resulting in a deadlock until now. This impasse that left the ECP trapped between the judiciary and the legislature eroded its credibility and caused growing political tensions. The year highlighted the urgent need for institutional reforms to restore confidence in the electoral process.
Key legislative changes
Two key legislative actions defined the political narrative in the second half of 2024. In November, Parliament passed a bill extending the army chief’s term from three to five years. The move was seen as consolidating military influence in the country’s politics, but it generated only limited reactions from political parties and observers.
The second was when the 26th Amendment was enacted. This amendment apparently clipped the wings of the judiciary, trimming its powers in an effort to address what the ruling coalition described as “judicial overreach.” The legislation sparked debate with the opposition arguing that it undermined the independence of the judiciary, while supporters hailed it as a step towards restoring balance between state institutions.
The returns of Sharif and Zardari
Nawaz Sharif’s return to politics, which began late last year, has been marked by a surprisingly low profile. The former prime minister, who once dominated Pakistan’s political landscape, stepped out of the limelight after unexpectedly announcing that he was no longer in the race for the prime minister’s post. Instead, Asif Ali Zardari’s political resurgence culminated in his return to the presidency for a second term.
President Zardari’s return was not easy, as his son, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, had to abandon his run for prime minister because the PML-N and the PPP had decided to divide key constitutional positions between them and, as As a result, the presidency passed to the PPP, while the prime minister’s office passed to the PML-N, among other positions.
The PTI fight and legal battles
The year proved especially challenging for PTI leaders and workers. From the imprisonment of its founding president Imran Khan to the arrests of key leaders and a sustained crackdown on his followers, the party faced relentless pressure.
Imran Khan’s imprisonment remained a central issue throughout the year. His arrest, amid an avalanche of legal challenges, showed how a civilian ruler once again ended up behind bars after ruling the country, a tradition that has continued for years. The May 9 investigations and subsequent sentences handed down by military courts further escalated the situation, leaving the PTI struggling to regroup and maintain its political space.
Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes, from political parties to commentators, everyone knows and admits that the influence of powerful actors continued to shape the political landscape. Throughout the year, accusations of his involvement in the election results, legislative priorities and even the repression of the opposition abounded, but no one has been able to substantiate them. The role of unelected institutions having significant influence on Pakistan’s democratic scene is an open secret and just like in the past, 2024 ended without any change in this perception.
Parliament desecrated
One of the darkest moments of 2024 occurred when law enforcement officials stormed the Parliament building to arrest PTI lawmakers. A total of 10 PTI MPs were arrested – after being dragged and wrapped in vehicles – in Parliament on September 10 and charged with violating protest and anti-terrorism laws. To add insult to injury, the power was turned off for the final round of arrests that night.
For a moment, the president of the National Assembly was forced to say that he was considering whether he should continue to hold the presidency after being blamed for his alleged role in the attack on Parliament, but then he decided to suspend some low-ranking officials with the promise of carrying out an in-depth investigation, the report of which has not yet been made public.
november showdown
Tensions rose again in November when a clash between PTI protesters and government forces turned violent. The government denied any deaths, but PTI claimed that a dozen of its workers were killed in the capital’s Blue Area, with dozens injured on November 26. The incident remains a point of tension between the two sides, with both sides claiming that the other side was simply lying. .
December negotiations
However, in a rare moment of possible reconciliation, formal talks between the government and the PTI began in December. With a self-imposed deadline of January 31, 2025, PTI wants to resolve long-standing issues. However, given the demands of the PTI; that judicial commissions be constituted on May 9 and November 26 and all PTI workers and leaders, including Imran Khan, be released; In addition to the turbulent history, skepticism persists about the likelihood of a breakthrough. It has been further aggravated after jailed PTI leader Imran Khan conveyed that the talks and his call, as part of the civil disobedience movement, to overseas Pakistanis not to send remittances will go hand in hand, a combination that the government does not like and previously demanded to change.
Year of uncertainty
The events of 2024 have left an indelible mark on Pakistan’s political landscape. It was the year of power transition with high hopes that the dynamics of governance will change. However, as the year draws to a close, the political climate remains fraught with uncertainty. Unresolved issues and deep-seated divisions suggest 2025 will inherit a nation still grappling with the fallout from its turbulent past year.
