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Elections may throw up a hung house

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan goes to elections today (Saturday) that are being billed as crucial to first-ever democratic transition but is widely predicted to throw up a hung parliament with no party expecting to gain clear majority to form a government on its own.

On paper, it seems to be a triangular fight among Asif Ali Zardari’s PPP, Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N and Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). But dismal performance in government, absence of any leader to lead its campaign and myriad of problems the common man has faced during last five year, have thrown the party out of the reckoning.

The pervasive uncertainty about the outcome of the election stems from immense surge in the popularity of the PTI that has emerged as a wild card which can upset all calculations by senior analysts and political pundits.

Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif have carried out passionate campaign drawing massive crowds in their rallies.

Imran’s fall has proved a blessing in disguise generating worldwide sympathy and support. The w

hole scenario was dramatised by his fall as he conveyed a moving massage from hospital bed. Much depends on the turnout in elections which have been as low as 40 to 44 per cent since 1988. But the Election Commission has struck millions of fake voters and nearly 30 million new voters have been registered. Imran has targeted and inspired the youth who can take him to a decisive victory in the polls if they cast their ballot.

Nawaz Sharif has been recounting his achievements in detonating atomic bomb and building motorway and airports in Lahore and Karachi.

He has promised to run a bullet train and initiate energy projects to resolve the endemic energy crisis which has become most lethal issue in Punjab which has 148 seats out of 272 in the National Assembly. Punjab has thus become the crucial battleground in this election that will determine who rules Pakistan.

news@khaleejtimes.com