ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani non-profit organization, which seeks to strengthen democratic governance by focusing on policy research and legislative development, said on Wednesday the recent elections received the lowest election fairness score in nearly a decade while asking the relevant authorities to investigate the deficiencies observed during the electoral contest.
The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has been publishing election assessments since 2002.
PILDAT’s recent report, released nearly a month after Pakistan’s general elections, which were marred by a countrywide cellphone service shutdown and delays in announcing election results, has created widespread suspicion of vote fraud, a claim denied by the country’s election authorities.
The organization’s assessment of the 2024 polls indicates a concerning decline in fairness scores compared to previous election cycles.
“Overall fairness of the 2024 General Election in Pakistan received a score of 49 percent which is three percentage points lower than the score received for the 2018 General Election,” PILDAT informed. “Fairness assessment scores for the 2013 and 2018 elections stood at 57 percent and 52 percent, respectively.” X
It observed there were considerable delays in the scheduling of the elections during the pre-poll phase, which also witnessed a lack of impartiality within the temporary caretaker setup.
Additionally, the suspension of cellphone and Internet services not only compromised the election management system but also hindered public participation on election day.
Following the completion of voting, the report further highlighted, the announcement of provisional results occurred beyond the deadline stipulated in Section 13(3) of the Elections Act, 2017, casting doubts on the credibility of the electoral process.
“PILDAT calls on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct a thorough investigation into the delays and deficiencies observed during the 2024 General Election, particularly in result compilation, transmission and consolidation,” it added.
Political parties in Pakistan have raised objections to the election results and resorted to street protests.
The outcome of the polls has also prompted former prime minister Imran Khan’s party to question the legitimacy of the present National Assembly itself.
Pakistan 2024 election fairness score plummets to lowest since 2013 – PILDAT
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Pakistan 2024 election fairness score plummets to lowest since 2013 – PILDAT
- The organization demands the election commission to investigate the deficiencies observed during the national polls
- Political parties in Pakistan have resorted to street protests against election results, but the authorities deny vote fraud
Pakistan PM invites UAE investment across tech and resource sectors at National Day event
- Shehbaz Sharif says the UAE remains a key economic partner and continues to lend ‘critical support’ to Pakistan
- UAE envoy says both nations have potential for cooperation in renewable energy, AI and economic diversification
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is ready to welcome investment from the United Arab Emirates across emerging technologies and resource sectors, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday, as both countries marked the 54th National Day of the Gulf country in Islamabad.
Speaking at the ceremony attended by senior ministers, diplomats and business leaders, Sharif said the UAE remained a key economic partner for Pakistan and continued to lend “critical support” to the country’s stabilizing economy.
“Pakistan takes great pride in its strategic partnership with the UAE, which continues to deepen across every domain of life,” he said. “With Pakistan’s economy stabilizing, we stand ready to welcome Emirati investment in renewable energy, AI, fintech, agriculture and minerals.”
Sharif praised the UAE’s leadership and recalled his earliest memories of the Gulf nation as “a land that believed in possibilities long before they became realities,” saying the country’s progress under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan commanded “profound admiration.”
UAE Ambassador Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi said the Emirates was committed to strengthening ties with Pakistan in areas including the economy, energy and artificial intelligence.
He said the two countries shared a “deep-rooted friendship built on mutual respect, shared values and a common vision for regional peace and development.”
“We see tremendous potential for collaboration in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, sustainability and economic diversification,” the ambassador said, adding that the UAE aimed to broaden the scope of its economic relations with Pakistan.
The UAE hosts around 1.8 million Pakistani expatriates, one of the country’s largest overseas communities, who Sharif said contributed “tirelessly” to the Gulf state’s development.
Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also joined the UAE ambassador in a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
