Pakistan caretaker government appears to favour Imran Khan's foes, election commission says

Pakistan’s electoral commission has questioned the impartiality of the country’s caretaker government, which is in charge of organising elections nationwide, claiming that it looks to be supporting Imran Khan’s detractors who are imprisoned.

Concerns have been expressed over Khan’s continuing detention and ban from running for office despite the caretaker government’s intentions to maintain fairness in the lead-up to the election, which was established last month when parliament’s five-year term expired.

“It is a general perception that the caretaker government is a continuation of the previous government,” says a letter seen by Reuters written by the Election Commission to the office of caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar.

With the help of an alliance of almost a dozen parties, Kakar, whose party was a partner in the outgoing anti-Khan coalition government, succeeded Shehbaz Sharif, a representative of Khan’s main competitor, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The letter, which is dated Wednesday, represents a rare formal criticism of the administration. In Pakistan, election outcomes are rarely universally recognised, and allegations of bias might further tarnish the process’s legitimacy.

The national election, which is scheduled for November but is very expected to be delayed, has increased political unrest in the 241 million country, which is currently experiencing its greatest economic crisis.

The voting has not yet been scheduled, and observers worry that the caretaker government will remain in power for a longer period.

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi dispelled the suggestion of bias.

“We have no favourite horses in this race,” he told Reuters in a message on Thursday, saying his government will assist the commission in providing a level-playing field to all parties.

Asked about the commission’s suggestions he said, the “Prime Minister and myself have not uttered a word against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and Imran Khan after assuming our new role.”

The letter arrived shortly after Kakar appointed a devoted supporter of Khan’s major rival, former three-term Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to his cabinet. It stated that “due care” should be taken to prevent the addition of individuals with “known political allegiances” to the government.

Other Sharif party and coalition allies are represented in the cabinet, along with outspoken Khan detractors who claim they were victimised while he was in power from 2018 to 2022.

Khan, who was overthrown in April 2022 by a vote of confidence in the parliament, blames the military for his demise since he had a falling out with the generals, who often pick who will reign.

(With agency inputs)