Answer to Question: The Pakistani Elections - (Translation)

[صوت الخلافة]

Answer to Question
The Pakistani Elections
(Translation)

Question:

Reuters reported on 19 February 2024, “Pakistan’s two major parties are set to meet on Monday to try and bridge differences over forming a minority coalition government after an inconclusive election, a top party official said, underscoring political and economic instability... Monday’s talks will be the fifth such round after former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was named by his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party to lead the country again.” (Source) The Pakistani elections were held on 8 February 2024, after being postponed. Did the meetings on the aforementioned Monday mean the exclusion of the independents loyal to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from power? Are the accusations of electoral fraud and manipulation real? Where are matters heading after the elections in Pakistan?

Answer:

The elections took place in Pakistan after they were postponed for months. Samaa TV reported on 11 February 2024 “According to the results announced so far, independent candidates have managed to win 101 seats. It is worth mentioning that out of these 101 independent candidates, 92 are supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf while nine are general independent candidates. PML-N is in the second position with 75 seats, while the PPP has won 54 seats.” (Source). These elections were intended to lead the country towards political stability. This is after a difficult period of chaos that followed Parliament’s no-confidence motion against Imran Khan’s government in 9 April 2022 and his subsequent overthrow. Then, Shehbaz Sharif, the brother of Nawaz Sharif, assumed the post of the Prime Minister in Pakistan on behalf of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. After that, stormy protests erupted in the country... As for where things are now headed, after the elections in Pakistan, the following matters must be considered:

1- Pakistan is one of the most important Muslim countries. Its large population of 250 million people makes it a large human reservoir, to both turn the economic wheel and provide human resource for the army. Pakistan is one of the unique countries in the world in respect to both human resource and military power, as well as being in a strategic location.

2- Today, Pakistan is considered one of the poor countries in the world. This is despite the abundance of fertile agricultural plains and water. This is despite its industrial capabilities. This is despite human resource capable of running the world’s largest economies. This is all due to the failed policies that America is pushing, financial and administrative corruption, and the spread of the illness of dependence on others, such as China or America. This hinders any attempt at economic progress. The country suffered from the catastrophic floods in 2022 that destroyed agricultural lands. Then, the state was unable to provide any solutions of value. In addition to economic failure, there is complete failure in all fields in Pakistan, the most prominent failure being in governance, over the decades.

3- The Islamic jihadi spirit exploded in Pakistan in a manner that struck fear throughout the world. This was due to the impact of the Kashmir issue, as well as the impact of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, followed by the American occupation of Afghanistan. Many events over the decades have revealed a solid fighting spirit, which is deeply rooted in the Islamic Aqeedah (doctrine) of the Pakistani people. There were numerous Islamic jihadi movements to liberate Kashmir and Afghanistan. There were calls to support Muslims all over the world. The movements of what the West calls political Islam took root in Pakistan, the most well-known of which was the call to establish the Khilafah (Caliphate)... Due to all this, the explosion of Islam in Pakistan has made Pakistan, along with neighboring Afghanistan, a second center of Islamic political gravity, after the Middle East.

4- The Pakistan Army is considered a formidable military force to be reckoned with, armed with lethal weapons and nuclear capabilities. Due to the long history of conflict with India, America is pushing Pakistan Army towards civil war inside Pakistan. It is pushing Pakistan Army to clash and conflict with the Taliban movement, which returned to power in the year 2021, in Afghanistan. America is also pushing Pakistan Army towards the Iranian border. This is all in order to enable India to participate in America’s strategy, to stop the rise of China, and preoccupy China with the possibilities of war with India. Before all of this, America had succeeded in making Pakistan a corridor for it to reach Afghanistan, during its occupation from 2001-2021. Despite all of this, America’s eyes do not lose sight of the strategic risks due to the strength of Pakistan Army for a moment. So on 13 October 2022, US President Biden called Pakistan, “one of the most dangerous nations in the world,” as reported on the White House website. (Source). This is despite all of the servile agency of the military and political leadership in Pakistan, and its facilitation of American policies.

5- What increases the importance of Pakistan is that China, which is America’s most prominent international rival, looks upon Pakistan in a special way. It supports Pakistan against India. China supplies Pakistan with weapons. China invests tens of billions of dollars in Pakistan, in the form of loans, and some grants, to support infrastructure, roads, ports, and industries. Although America has control and influence in Pakistan, it views these Chinese efforts, and investments, in Pakistan, with suspicion.

6- In light of these facts, the first thing that must be realized, when considering the political events in Pakistan, is that the head of kufr, America, has focused upon Pakistan Army and its military leadership. It is the key to domination and influence inside Pakistan. One of the major outcomes of American control over Pakistan Army, and its military leadership, is the distancing of the country from conflict, and war, with India. This is despite the continuous Indian provocations in Kashmir, which are even increasing in their frequency. Also among those outcomes is Pakistani Army’s approach to civil war, and its ignition of war in northwest Pakistan, to eliminate the mujahideen, who were supporting their brothers in Afghanistan during the American occupation of Afghanistan. Also amongst these outcomes are clashes that occur from time to time with Afghanistan. In addition to those outcomes, is that the American invasion of Afghanistan was all passing through the doors of Pakistan. So, the American control over the military leadership in Pakistan is what makes Pakistan a state that is an agent to America.

7- Pakistan Army completely controls the country. It interferes in the political life, as well as that of the political parties, in the country. Whenever matters get out of control, Pakistan Army intervenes with a military coup, and overthrows the rulers. Two political parties traditionally govern the country, the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz Sharif (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The former is viewed as a right-wing party, whilst the latter is considered a left-wing party. The former enjoys broad support in the Punjab province, whilst the latter enjoys broad support in the Sindh province. There is failure by both parties throughout history. Leaders from both parties are immersed in corruption, whilst the leadership acts as feudal lords over Pakistan. However, in the face of this chronic failure, and great resentment within Pakistan, which is driving people towards movements advocating political Islam, Pakistan Army decided to change the equation. So, Pakistan Army brought in Imran Khan, who was the leader of a not-so-large party at the time, the PTI, and whose voice was loudest against corruption. After major accusations, and judicial proceedings, against the former Prime Minister, and leader of PML-N, Nawaz Sharif, the PTI dominated the parliamentary votes. Thus, Imran Khan became Prime Minister in 2018.

8- During that period, the Pakistan’s courts were pursuing the former ruler Nawaz Sharif on corruption charges. Nawaz resigned from his post in June 2017, after the Supreme Court convicted him on corruption charges, related to tax evasion. The Supreme Court ruled that Nawaz Sharif was ineligible to remain in office. He was sentenced in July 2018 to ten years in prison, on corruption charges. Reuters reported on 17 October 2020 that, “Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday accused the country’s army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa of toppling his government, pressuring the judiciary, and installing the current government of Prime Minister Imran Khan in the 2018 elections.” (Source). All of this, the overthrow of Nawaz Sharif, his trial and holding of elections, while he was still behind bars in Pakistan, was by decision of Pakistan Army. Bringing in Imran Khan, far removed from the two traditional parties in Pakistan, was also by decision of Pakistan Army.

9- Nawaz Sharif, who was serving a prison sentence, was allowed to travel to Britain for health purposes. This was through an agreement with him that he would return, after his treatment to Pakistan, to complete his sentence... However, after Pakistan Army overthrew Imran Khan, which we explained in the question and answer entitled, “America and the Change in its Agents in Pakistan,” of 5 Shawwal 1443 AH, 5 May 2022, Pakistan Army began removing all legal obstacles to the return of Nawaz Sharif. After the overthrow of Imran Khan in 2022, Sharif’s brother, Shehbaz Sharif, was appointed prime minister. This is in addition to a federal court ruling to release Nawaz Sharif on bail, before his arrival in the country. It was also after the parliament issued a law in June 2023 setting a maximum of five years for disqualifying a member of the National Assembly from running for office, after it had been disqualification for life. This allowed Nawaz Sharif to return to the country and nominate himself, so he returned. Nawaz Sharif came from abroad and appeared before the judiciary in preparation for his acquittal of the charges against him, and competing in the elections. The Independent reported on 21 October 2023 that, “The Islamabad High Court on Thursday granted him protection from arrest days ahead of his return.” (Source). This is what actually happened! Nawaz Sharif became a “clean” politician again. He ran for elections with his Pakistan Muslim League-N party, whilst Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was the caretaker prime minister supervising the elections. (Sharif received the support of the army when he returned to Pakistan last October, after four Years in exile in London. (Independent Arabia, 10/2/2024)). According to the same source, (On the other hand, it is believed that Nawaz Sharif returned to the state after concluding a “deal” with the military establishment to return him to the position of prime minister for the fourth time. The Insaf party is accused of Al-Shaab stated that the official reception that Sharif received upon his return is evidence of the existence of an understanding between him and the military establishment.

10- So much for Nawaz Sharif. As for Imran Khan, he is today in prison, having been sentenced over multiple charges. Due to his sentencing, Imran Khan was prevented from running in the elections, whilst his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, was prevented from running in the elections as a political party. Thus, it becomes clear how the political tables have turned in Pakistan. Today, in 2024, Pakistan Army has turned against Imran Khan. Imran is now in the same position that Nawaz Sharif was in in 2018. As for Nawaz Sharif, he has returned to prominence, after all obstacles were removed from him, as we have shown. With all of this, it becomes clear how the leadership of Pakistan Army manipulates the parliamentary elections. It becomes clear how Pakistan Army manipulates those political parties, which seek its approval, in order to gain power. This is not a secret. An army chief imprisoned Nawaz Sharif and brought back Imran Khan... Then an army chief imprisoned Imran Khan and brought back Nawaz Sharif! Thus, pseudo-politicians, from amongst party leaders, are manipulated according to America’s desires, for the sake of a crooked, ruling seat! Then, when the role of such a leader ends, he is either tossed aside, or put behind prison bars!

11- The military leadership alone controls the state, and therefore the elections, in many ways. It is known that communications and the internet were cut off in some areas. The state said that this was for the purpose of preventing chaos and unrest, on election day! The state also monopolizes the issue of determining electoral districts, based on the population census that it conducts. From this perspective it can increase, or decrease, districts in favor of specific parties, that have electoral weight in those districts! The elections were postponed from August 2023 until February 2024, under the pretext of redrawing electoral districts, based on the latest population census. In these ways, the party leaders, who take turns in power, are all obligated to be subservient to America, and to serve Washington. Conspiracies are planned for whoever deviates from towing the American line, or strives to do so, or clashes with Pakistan Army, as we have seen. Corruption cases are raised against him, until he is behind bars. Therefore, all of these parties work under the umbrella of the military leadership of the army. It is a leadership which is an agent of America. These parties may only compete locally among themselves, so that Pakistan Army chooses from among them the most appropriate for appointment...

12- Then, the military leadership allows for back-and-forth, regarding the election results, to show that it is far from controlling the results! The Independent reported on 10 February 2024, that, “both former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan claimed victory in the general elections.” (Source). The PTI considers that the independent candidates obtained 101 seats, whilst the vast majority of these are its followers, which is the greatest number of seats obtained by any party. This qualifies it as the party to lead the process of forming the government. However, the PML-N, led by Nawaz Sharif, which obtained 75 seats in the National Assembly, says that it is the winner of the elections. This is referred to in the army chief’s statement over the elections. The media wing of the army, ISPR, reported that the army chief said, “The nation needs stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarisation.” (Source). This means that the PTI, Imran Khan’s party, despite having obtained a larger number of parliamentary seats through independents, the seats of the independents officially constitute those of independents, and not of any political party. So, Nawaz Sharif’s party remains the one that has the “legal” right to lead the process of forming the government, through coalition with other parties.

 

13- Some officials admitted that election rigging had occurred. Al-Jazeera reported on 17 February 2024 that, “A senior bureaucrat in Pakistan has said he helped rig Pakistan’s elections, a week after polls marred by allegations of manipulation returned no clear winner... “We converted the losers into winners, reversing margins of 70,000 votes in 13 national assembly seats,” he told reporters... According to Pakistan’s Dawn News, the commissioner admitted he was “deeply involved in serious crime like mega election rigging 2024.” Meanwhile, Pakistan’s election commission rejected Chattha’s allegations, but said in a statement that it would “hold an enquiry”. In a news release, the electoral watchdog also said none of its officials ever issued any instructions to Chattha for a “change in the election results”.” (Source). Despite all this, the army chief, after he released Nawaz Sharif from prison, and allowed him to run for the head of his party, seems to be preparing the arena for him in the Prime Minister’s Office. Reuters reported, on 19 February 2024, that, “Pakistan’s two major parties are set to meet on Monday to try and bridge differences over forming a minority coalition government after an inconclusive election, a top party official said, underscoring political and economic instability.... Monday’s talks will be the fifth such round... The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) party of former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has announced conditional support for the PML-N, saying it will vote for Sharif to form the government, but would not take positions in cabinet... The new government could also face further political tension, with independent members of parliament, backed by jailed former premier Imran Khan, forming the largest group in the legislature.” (Source). Thus, the military leadership makes whoever it wants a winner today, and makes him a loser and a prisoner tomorrow... and so on! Allah (swt) said,

[أَلَا سَاءَ مَا يَحْكُمُون]

“Evil indeed is their judgment!” [TMQ Surah An-Nahl 16:125].

14- As for this deep manipulation of Pakistan’s government, by America’s agent military leadership, where there is a climate for political chaos, that could continue and undermine the country’s stability... all of this must be a strong motivation, for the sincere in Pakistan Army, and in Pakistan in general, to rise up and put an end to the country’s subordination to America... this is only by establishing the rule of Allah, the Khilafah Rashidah (Rightly Guided Caliphate). The Khilafah is the promise of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) said,

[وَعَدَ اللهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ]

“Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good that He will certainly make them successors in the land, as He did with those before them.” [TMQ Surah An-Nur 24:55]. The Khilafah is within the glad tidings of the Messenger of Allah (saw), about it returning after the forceful ruling that we are under. Hudhayfah (ra) said that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

«ثُمَّ تَكُونُ مُلْكاً جَبْرِيَّةً فَتَكُونُ مَا شَاءَ اللهُ أَنْ تَكُونَ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُهَا إِذَا شَاءَ أَنْ يَرْفَعَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ خِلَافَةً عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ النُّبُوَّةِ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ»

“‘Then it will be a forceful ruling, so it will be as Allah wills it to be. Then He will end it, when He wills to end it. Then there will be a Khilafah (Caliphate) on the Method of Prophethood.’ Then he remained silent.” Narrated by Ahmad. The performance of this great obligation is expected from the people of the Islamic Ummah, from far and wide… especially since Pakistan was established on the basis of Islam from its creation, and both its people and its army love Islam and Muslims.

The connection of Pakistan’s rulers, and its military leadership, to America is easier for Allah (swt) to change, than it is for them to change the Ummah’s love for its Islam. Thus, the outcome is for the righteous if they are honest, work diligently, and strive to support Allah (swt), for Allah (swt) is their supporter. Allah (swt) said,

[وَسَيَعْلَمُ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَيَّ مُنْقَلَبٍ يَنْقَلِبُونَ]

“The wrongdoers will soon come to know what evil end they will meet.” [TMQ Ash-Shu’ara 26:227].

10 Sha’ban 1445 AH

20 February 2024 CE