Pakistan Suspends Mobile Phone Services as Tension Rises

Authorities in Pakistan announced that mobile phone services had been temporarily banned to boost security as the country goes to the polls on Thursday, February 8. 

The government’s decision came a day after imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan called for vigilance during the polls. 

He urged his supporters to remain outside polling places after casting their ballots until the results were announced.

“As a result of the recent incidents of terrorism in the country precious lives have been lost. Security measures are essential to maintain the law-and-order situation and deal with possible threats, hence the temporary suspension of mobile services across the country,” the interior ministry said.

In addition, the two blasts near election offices on Wednesday killed 26 people in the southwestern province of Balochistan.

Insecurity in Pakistan 

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The first incident happened in the Pishin district at the office of an independent candidate for election, leaving 14 people dead.

Again, the second explosion in Qilla Saifullah, near the Afghan border, detonated near an office of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI). This is a religious party that has previously been the target of militant attacks, according to the province’s information minister. 

In a message posted on its Telegram channel, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the explosions.

Other factions, such as the separatist Baloch militants and the Islamist Pakistani Taliban (TTP), are hostile to the Pakistani government.

Tens of thousands of troops and paramilitary soldiers are on duty nationwide, including at polling places, as part of the nation’s high alert state.

At the same time, Pakistan declared that for security reasons, it was closing its borders with Afghanistan and Iran for the day.

Ballot Battle 

The front-runner, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader and three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, is predicted to face off against candidates supported by Khan, whose Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the most recent national election.

In an outside attempt for the presidency, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 35-year-old son of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has also waged a vigorous campaign.

According to analysts, there might not be a clear winner, but Pakistan’s formidable generals might be involved.

In its 76 years of independence, Pakistan’s military has controlled the nuclear-armed nation either directly or indirectly. Despite this, the military has long claimed not to meddle in political affairs.

Claims from Candidates

Reports indicated that opponents and observers claimed Sharif was receiving support from the generals.

In his defense, Khan believes the military is orchestrating a campaign of intimidation aimed at driving his party out of power.

Since the last election in 2018, the two former prime ministers have alternated. Sharif was imprisoned on corruption-related charges, and Khan was reportedly supported by the military.

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With 169 seats required in the 336-member National Assembly, smaller political parties may be quite important in forming the government. A total of 70 reserved seats, 60 for women and 10 for non-Muslims.

These seats are distributed based on the number of seats that each party has won. The remaining 266 members are chosen via direct election.

This might turn things around after the vote because independents, are allowed to join any party if they win.

Previous general election

On Wednesday, July 25, 2018, Pakistan’s most recent general elections were conducted. This was following the lapse of the former government’s five-year tenure.

Elections were conducted nationwide in 272 seats.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) won the most seats and most of the popular vote in the post-election analysis. The PTI maintained its position as the biggest party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP); the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) continued to hold its position in Sindh; and the recently established Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) emerged as the biggest party in Balochistan.

With a slim majority of directly elected seats, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) emerged as the largest party in Punjab’s hung parliament. However, after the PTI gained the backing of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and independent MPAs, the latter grew to become the largest party and was able to establish the government.