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The Pakistani parliamentary elections are not only the most foreseeable but also the most manipulated, as there is widespread anticipation that it will be possible to favour a select Nawaz Sharif and his PMLN party, stated Ajay Bisara, former High Commissioner of India to Pakistan.

 

In a conversation with reporters, Bisaria stated, "By all indications, these elections on 8th February are not only the most foreseeable but also the most manipulated, as it is evident for everyone in Pakistan, considering the commentary that is emanating from within the country.

 

"The election outcomes are evident; the army, in various ways, is engaging in pre-election manipulation, and it will likely carry out some election manipulation and post-election manipulation to install a government that aligns with its preferences," he said.

 

"It is suggested that it will probably favour the selection of Nawaz Sharif and his PMLN party; I think that is a widely held expectation, and that's quite accurate...," the official added.

 

General elections in Pakistan are scheduled to take place on February 8 after months of delay. The country has been at the epicentre of political, economic, and even judicial turmoil over the past year. However, many voters still question whether the voting can bring about any substantial change in the country.

 

It is noteworthy that several incidents of violence have marred the pre-election atmosphere in Balochistan and Karachi, with multiple hand grenade attacks and explosions targeting political entities and election-related offices.

 

In recent days, another bomb blast occurred outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in Balochistan's Nushki District on Sunday. The Election Commission of Pakistan has taken note of the explosion outside its Karachi office and has sought reports from the District Monitoring Officer and SSP South.

 

In the Mughalsarai area of Kalat town, three workers affiliated with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were injured when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle attacked the party's election office.

The attackers detonated a grenade near the building, as reported by a major Pakistan newspaper.

 

In Balochistan, six individuals, including PPP workers, suffered injuries in separate hand grenade attacks across different towns.