Pakistan election winner Imran Khan’s victory is not only a major political swing from the previous vote, but also an historic change from generations of power being consolidated dynastically between a handful of figures.
Repeated military coups and the subsequent juntas notwithstanding, Pakistan has been dominated by two major parties, the Pakistan Muslim League (PML), and the Pakistani People’s Party (PPP) since the 1960s. Khan created the Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf (PTI) in 1996, and it is now poised to form its own government.
Khan has positioned the PTI as an ideal alternative to the two existing major parties, campaigning on an anti-corruption, populist angle. He has promised to strengthen ties with traditional allies and to start negotiating long-standing issues with rival India.
Perhaps the biggest change, however, is that Khan says he wants to negotiate a deal for open borders with neighboring Afghanistan, saying it would help stabilize Afghanistan. Peace in Afghanistan, he noted, means peace in Pakistan.
The PTI won a plurality with 116 seats, with the PML-N finishing second at 64 sears, and the PPP getting just 39. A majority government will need 135 seats, and the PTI is expected to court independents and smaller regional parties to make up the difference.
Must have been the russians! quick someone launch a military coup to save democracy
Given Pakistan is a nuke power and its importance for US policy in the region, the lack of news coverage of the election in our media was astonishing–but hardly unexpected.
Yeah, just another astonishing but expected development, funny that actually makes sense.
This is a groundbreaking event. An event those of us here at Antiwar.com should see as very good news. Iman Khans win will absolutely change the direction of the thrust of politics on the subcontinent and beyond including China. Among things I wonder about is what the ISI will think, do, about this change. Imran Khan is only one man and he will be dealing with the deep state interests of the USA as well as Pak deep state interests. Can he marshal forces from his contacts in London to assist him in his visions for the future. Or will his friends there be co-opted by by U.S. deep state operatives to do THEIR bidding and work against his vision. Remember that Imran was called “Talisman Khan” because he wanted to defuse their pariah status and come to an accommodation of some sort. He certainly thinks waaaaay outside the U.S letter agencies box regarding regional issues and I suspect peace and war issues generally. I have been here at antiwar.com for fifteen years and am an enthusiastic fan of JR and I too supported Trump to win over Clinton, but voted Jill. Those of us here should celebrate Khans win and hope he can move Pakistan forward on a peaceful path… I have been following Imran since he lost the last election and in the follow up to that loss. He seems to be a great man
Great news. Khan strikes me as a stand-up chap. Look out for that grassy knoll.