Pakistan: Political rallies to occur nationwide through at least early February

Political rallies will occur and are almost certain to intensify in frequency nationwide through at least early February, ahead of Pakistan's general election on Feb. 8, 2024. As of late Jan. 10, several political parties have announced the following details:

• The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will organize over 60 rallies in up to 15 divisions starting on Jan. 15. Former prime ministers and PML-N leaders Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif will lead several public gatherings.

• The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) will stage 30 rallies through Feb. 6. The protest campaign began in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, on Jan. 10 and will conclude with a public gathering in Larkana, Sindh Province on Feb. 6.

Although the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by former Prime Minister and party leader Imran Khan did not immediately announce any protests, such gatherings remain possible over the coming weeks. As of Jan. 10, Imran Khan is detained and remains ineligible for office due to a court's rejection of his plea to suspend a conviction for the alleged unlawful sale of state gifts during his 2018-22 tenure. Counterdemonstrations by various political and/or religious groups may materialize at short notice during any planned events. Potential gathering sites include prominent government buildings, including police stations and election commission offices, public squares, political party offices, sports fields, press clubs, and major thoroughfares. While participation may vary by locale and sponsoring political groups, well-attended gatherings could draw hundreds of thousands of participants in major urban centers.

Authorities will almost certainly maintain an increased security presence across Pakistan to facilitate the upcoming general elections. Officials may conduct mass arrests or use force in response to security incidents. Clashes between police and activists and between members of rival political or religious camps cannot be ruled out. Isolated security incidents, including small-scale explosions, are possible. Associated localized transport and business disruptions are highly likely.