Imran Khan Wins by-Election-As Pakistan seeks a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, former premier Imran Khan has called for early national elections.
As a result of a protracted political drama, Khan was ousted in April and replaced as prime minister by Shehbaz Sharif. Over the past few months, Khan has held massive public rallies calling for a vote ahead of the scheduled October 2023 election. Taking advantage of Sunday’s electoral victory, he touts it as evidence of his party’s popularity.
It is only possible for Pakistan to move forward if free and fair elections are conducted under a credible Election Commission of Pakistan, Khan wrote in a tweet. There can be no other course than to pursue this path in order to avoid further political uncertainty and economic chaos.”
Too much at stake for July 17th By-Elections, it's a battle for Dignified and Azaad Pakistan, please go vote early and help others vote on time! #بلا_چلاؤ_ملک_بچاؤ pic.twitter.com/LhTQa26apD
— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 15, 2022
Abdul Hameed, the director of the Punjab Election Commission, said that Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf took 15 of the 20 seats in the Punjab state legislature, whereas Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz won four.
A $1.2 billion loan from the multilateral lender last week was needed to shore up the country’s dwindling foreign exchange reserves. Sharif has been forced to take unpopular steps since coming to power, including raising energy prices and taxes.