Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has issued a direct challenge to Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), stating his intent to contest the upcoming elections in any constituency of Sharif's choosing. Imran Khan made this declaration in a video posted on his X account.
This challenge was presented while Nawaz Sharif was still at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where he had been detained in connection with a corruption case since early August. It's important to note that the video was recorded prior to his arrest.
In the video, Imran Khan expressed his views on Nawaz Sharif's political strategies and intentions. He suggested that Sharif had been waiting for Khan's imprisonment and the elimination of PTI before returning to Pakistan. Additionally, Khan claimed that all corruption cases against Nawaz Sharif and his associates had been closed.
Nawaz Sharif made his return to Pakistan on October 21 after a self-imposed exile in London that spanned four years. Imran Khan extended his challenge to Sharif, offering to contest in any constituency that Sharif selects, and even promised not to conduct a campaign in that specific constituency. Khan asserted that the Pakistani people's sentiments had shifted, emphasizing that they would no longer vote for individuals with political patronage from the military establishment. He also attributed this change in political dynamics to the influence of social media.
Imran Khan's party, in its X post, referred to the "London Plan," suggesting that with Nawaz Sharif's return, this plan seemed to be progressing as anticipated. The post criticized the use of state protocol, public resources, and public money to support a convict, indicating that these actions would not influence public opinion. The public's expectation remains immediate, free, and fair elections.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared that general elections are anticipated to take place in the last week of January 2024, though an exact date has yet to be confirmed.
The Pakistan People's Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has alleged that the ECP would announce the election date only once Nawaz Sharif is cleared of all the legal cases he is entangled in. Both the PPP and PTI have accused Nawaz Sharif of being a 'new ladla' (favorite) of the military establishment.
The PTI claimed that Nawaz Sharif's return to the country, after four years of self-imposed exile, was facilitated by the military establishment, which has allegedly assured him of becoming the next prime minister.
In contrast, Imran Khan is facing approximately 200 legal cases. Two new parties, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party and PTI-Parliamentarians, have been formed from Khan's party under the influence of the establishment. Several of Khan's former associates have joined these new parties, alleging that Khan masterminded attacks on military installations across the country in early May following his arrest.
Nawaz Sharif has recently received significant legal relief upon his return to Pakistan. The Punjab provincial government suspended his seven-year sentence in the Al-Azizia case, while two separate courts confirmed his bail in three different corruption cases.
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