On the eve of the General Elections 2024, Pakistan implemented a nationwide suspension of internet services and cut internet access on the D-Day, citing the imperative of “maintaining law and order.”
This decision by the interior ministry comes in response to a major terrorist attack in a city, resulting in casualties.
Tragic Bomb blast ahead of election
The interior ministry said they had to shut down mobile services all across the country for a while to deal with threats and keep the situation under control because of the recent increase in terrorist attacks. This happened shortly after two bomb explosions in Baluchistan province killed at least 20 people, targeting the offices of
different political leaders.
Since the announcement of the elections in early November, there have been 217 militant attacks, as reported by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. To evade authorities, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party intensified online campaigning, prompting several instances of social media access being blocked in recent months. Additionally, Pakistan is closing its borders with Afghanistan and Iran for the duration of the day.
Race to the power
Three major parties dominate Pakistani politics: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led by Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan, and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led by Bilawal Bhutto.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is the main opposition leader, cannot join this year’s general election. He’s not allowed to run in the polls because he got several prison sentences. Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), won the 2018 general election. This made him the prime minister until he was removed by a no-confidence vote in 2022. 
The main competitor of PTI, which has been struggling, is Pakistan Muslim League led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Imran Khan has been put in jail for 14 years, so he can’t run for election himself. His party’s symbol has been removed by the country’s election commission before the polls. However, candidates from Imran’s party still want to participate as independent candidates.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif convicted of various corruption charges is now back in Pakistan politics has been relieved from all charges. Other main faces of the PML-N are Shehbaz Sharif.
Shehbaz Sharif, who is Nawaz Sharif’s younger brother, led a group of parties in the government for 16 months after Imran Khan was removed in 2022. This lasted until the parliament dissolution in August, which set the stage for national elections.
Maryam Nawaz daughter of Nawaz Sharif, despite never having an official role, has been a significant figure in organizing rallies and supporting her father’s cause, especially during the 2018 elections. Both were jailed on corruption charges during that time, but the charges were later overturned. 
Bilawal Bhutto, the chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), is another candidate. He is the son of Benazir Bhutto, who was the first Muslim woman leader elected as prime minister and was assassinated in 2007. His father, Asif Ali Zardari, was Pakistan’s 11th President from September 2008 to September 2013. Bilawal, often called a millennial candidate, gained prominence in Pakistani politics.
Without Imran khan the race will be between Pakistan’s Peoples party and Muslim League.
Pakistan election is going to decide the country’s fate
The Pakistani people are going to vote and pick their leader in an election that has been affected by increasing terror attacks, economic problems, and accusations of unfair practices before the election. The political atmosphere is very divided. 
The Pakistan elections are taking place with security forces unable to guarantee safety for journalists. Security measures have been increased throughout the country.
Currently, Pakistan is facing its worst economic and political crisis, trapped in dynastic politics. Poverty and misery have become the destiny of the people. Now, the question is: Will this election bring freedom from poverty and misery? And the major question: Will this election be fair?
