Former Indian Envoy Criticizes Pakistan’s Parliamentary Elections as “Selection” by Army

Pakistan Elections: Former High Commissioner Outlines Reasons for Nawaz Sharif’s Return as PM

Ajay Bisaria, the former High Commissioner of India to Islamabad, has voiced significant concerns over the integrity of the upcoming Pakistan Parliamentary Elections scheduled for February 8.

Labeling the electoral process as less of an election and more of a “selection” orchestrated by the Pakistan Army, Bisaria’s comments shed light on the anticipated influence of military power in determining the country’s political leadership.

In a statement to news agency ANI, Bisaria remarked on the predictability and alleged rigging of the elections, suggesting that the outcome appears pre-determined by the army’s actions and preferences.

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“What is scheduled to happen on February 8, seems less like an election and more like a selection because Pakistan’s Army has shown us in the past few days what result they are desiring in the upcoming elections. They want Nawaz Sharif to be selected,” he elaborated.

Highlighting the lack of transparency and fairness, Bisaria pointed to “pre-election engineering” and potential manipulation before, during, and after the election day to install a government favorable to the military establishment.

This perspective aligns with broader concerns about the state of democracy and civil-military relations in Pakistan, where the army’s influence has historically been a contentious issue.

The former envoy’s comments come against the backdrop of several human rights organizations and United Nations agencies calling on Pakistan to ensure a free and fair electoral process, including uninterrupted internet access to facilitate informed voting.

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The political landscape in Pakistan has been further complicated by the sidelining of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been sentenced to a total of 34 years in prison across four cases, effectively disqualifying him from the election race.

Khan’s party and supporters argue that these legal actions are punitive measures for his outspoken criticism of the military’s role in politics. With Khan out of the picture, Nawaz Sharif, a three-time former Prime Minister who has recently returned to Pakistan and been cleared of previous convictions, emerges as a leading candidate for the premiership.

Bisaria also touched upon the impact of these developments on India-Pakistan relations, suggesting that any improvement in bilateral ties would likely depend on Pakistan’s initiative post-elections. He indicated that the outcome of elections in both countries, with India also scheduled to hold elections, would be crucial in determining the future direction of their relationship.

As Pakistan prepares for its parliamentary elections, the international community watches closely, hoping for a process that reflects the will of the Pakistani people rather than the interests of its military establishment. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges to democracy in the region and the delicate balance between civil authority and military influence in shaping the political landscape.