27 Feb 2024 | 03:17 PM UTC
Pakistan: Ongoing post-election rallies likely to continue nationwide through at least early March /update 7
Ongoing protest activity likely to persist across Pakistan through at least early March following general elections. Exercise caution.
Activist groups will almost certainly continue their ongoing series of rallies across Pakistan through at least early March following the nation's Feb. 8 general elections. Various political parties and coalitions, including the Awami National Party (ANP), Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), have held protests in several locations, including Karachi and Rawalpindi. Opposition activists have cited alleged irregularities in the recent elections. As of Feb. 27, organizers have announced the following details concerning their planned actions; further details remain unclear:
Feb. 28: Activists from political parties will protest outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly in Peshawar at 14:00 and hold a sit-in near the Balochistan Provincial Assembly in Quetta, which will align with the swearing-in ceremonies of newly elected members following requisitions from the governors.
March 2: The PTI will hold nationwide protests.
Although no other details were immediately available concerning additional gatherings, further demonstrations of varying types are highly likely over the coming days. Potential protest sites include prominent political party offices, government buildings, police stations, public squares, sports fields, press clubs, and thoroughfares. Larger rallies could draw hundreds of thousands of attendees.
Authorities will almost certainly maintain an increased security presence over the coming days. Officials suspended mobile telecommunication and internet services during and immediately following the general elections due to security concerns, in addition to imposing public gathering restrictions in several parts of the country, including the capital. The decision came after a surge of violence preceding the elections in certain restive areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Attacks by militant groups, such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), are possible in the aftermath of the general elections, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces near the Afghanistan border. Officials could order additional restrictions, including temporary public movement restrictions or further telecommunication curbs, depending on the severity of any perceived threats. Acts of intimidation and attacks on political party offices, candidates, and supporters remain possible over the short term. Associated transport and business disruptions are highly likely.
Exercise increased caution if operating in Pakistan through at least late February. Avoid political party offices, political rallies, polling stations, and government buildings, where political unrest is most likely to occur. Prepare for heightened security, including roadblocks and identification checks. Plan accordingly for localized business disruptions. If a large mob begins forming, immediately leave the area or seek shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building. Monitor trusted media for updates on protests. Maintain contact with your diplomatic mission. Carry valid identification and heed instructions from security personnel.
The Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision to postpone the official results further complicates the political landscape following the divided mandate of the Feb. 8 elections, where no single party emerged with a clear majority. Despite emerging as the leading party in terms of seats through independent candidates, former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) faces considerable legal obstacles in its bid to form a government, compounded by reluctance to engage in coalition-building amidst allegations of electoral irregularities. Meanwhile, despite securing fewer seats, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has actively forged alliances with smaller parties, including the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP), to bolster its claim to power.
Recent updates reveal the PMLN and PPP have formally agreed to form a new government, ending ten days of intense negotiations. Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of the PMLN is slated to become the prime minister, while Asif Ali Zardari of the PPP will be the coalition's candidate for president, aiming to collectively address the country's economic crisis. Despite initial allegations of electoral malpractice by Imran Khan's PTI, the PMLN-PPP coalition asserts they have the necessary support from smaller parties to govern effectively amidst the urgent need for a stable administration capable of making tough decisions.
