Pakistan elections: Does the military still pull the strings? | DW News

Pakistan is holding general elections on Thursday, a vote that critics say can be neither free nor fair. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan cannot run for office as he is currently in jail and members of his PTI party claim they are facing harrassment. The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights is calling for calm.
Some observers believe the biggest threat to Pakistan's democracy is the military. The army has ruled the nation for around half its existence - since Pakistan was formed in 1947. And critics claim the military has already decided who will win power this time.

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[umerzia]

This is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that the military illegitimate involvement in politics is exposed, even at the grassroot level, thanks to Imran Khan.

[PK_Diaspora]

Pak military has full and complete support of the US administration. In March 2022 Biden Administration didn't like Imran and ordered Pakistan military to remove him.

[teenzafri]

true that the biggest threat to Pakistan’s democracy is Pakistans army but they forgot to mention that the very same army has had U.S support throughout the history just like they have it now

[Khan-PTI_PAK]

A shameful act from the powerful military establishment

[Minik]

Pak Army is new political party.
Dollar 💵 army 🤬

[DANNYBOIL-hh]

Pakistan Army never won a war but never lost an election.
Imran Khan has the mandate of the people

[hassankhawaja]

Thank You DW for being a voice for 240 million people of Pakistan.
our Media, Generals, NGOs, Establishment, Bureaucracy and everything is sold out and for sale for dollars in Pakistan. the Pakistani nation is with PTI, behind Imran Khan but West has decided to stand with our Army.

[girirajrathore]

NEVER WIN A WAR NEVER LOST A ELECTION - MOTTO OF PAKISTAN ARMY ❤

[Gamdun]

If Army chooses the rulers in Pakistan than they should do it directly without any elections, in this way a lot of budget can be saved which is a huge burden on this poor country.

[highhousefoodmart]

Stop using word democracy for pakistan. It’s militarycracy in Pakistan.

[vnktravi]

Somewhere I read, it’s not General Election, but …. General’s Election 😂

[alitariq]

The internet is already down in the country. It has been only two hours since the polling started.

[PTI]

They also arrested the social media users. They passed the law against freedom of speech on social media.

[becayvoguevoyage]

We hate Pakistan Army for what it's doing to PTI Leaders and supporters

[jimnam]

The question is When does the military not pull the strings?

[petercrouch]

This aged so well right now, we had general election just yesterday and PTI backed independent candidates were winning comfortably over 70% seats, overnight suddenly this victories were turned into losses and now PML-N have about 30-40% of seats

[infinite]

Its Selection. Not election.
That's so called democracy in Pakistan. 😂

[fkhan]

They are not military rather they are foreign missionaries

[NexsusPoint]

Thumbnail should be Pakistan politicians role in the elections since military is dominant.

[zaramzalmay]

Thank you DW for letting the world know