The most recent Pakistani general elections were held on July 25, 2018. Pakistanis went into the polls during these elections to choose representatives for both the National Assembly and provincial assemblies. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which is led by Imran Khan, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which is led by Shehbaz Sharif, and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which is led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were among the political parties that participated in the elections. Imran Khan was appointed Pakistan's Prime Minister after his PTI party won the most seats in the National Assembly.
A fresh beginning is possible only if a newly appointed administration with a new public mandate takes office for the five-year constitutional term. Further demonstrating the fact that people will not be losing out on the opportunity to get its preferred candidate to win the polls, the public appears to be excitedly anticipating the 2023 general elections. Therefore, the general elections in 2023 are crucial for establishing a stable political system and quieting the clamour of inter-institutional disputes. This is hardly encouraging for a nation whose legislature has recently come under heavy fire for being ineffectual and inefficient. Therefore, important legislation, such as new laws or institutional reforms, ought to be postponed until after the general elections.
As a result, the general elections in 2023 would guarantee that the lower house of Parliament is completely occupied, which is necessary for the strong and efficient operation of parliamentary, constitutional, and legal activities.
Pakistan's annual growth rate has fallen below 1% five times since the nation's independence, with the most recent World Bank assessment projecting a 0.4% annual growth rate for the current fiscal year. The impending political instability is one of the main causes of this below-average economic performance. Internal instability in politics and the flood disaster this year have harmed our economy. The crisis also has a substantial external component, as evidenced by the significant increase in global food and gasoline costs following Russia's war in Ukraine.
The sum of all these elements may have created Pakistan's biggest economic crisis ever. However, the administration has been bogged down in partisan politics, and the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) $1.1 billion loan tranche has yet to be released since Islamabad has resisted the IMF's requirements. The government has presently turned to small-scale solutions that fall short of solving the issue, like banning imports and early mall and wedding hall closures. With assistance from the IMF and loans from allies, particularly Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, Pakistan may be able to escape default for the time being. They won't, however, address the economy's obvious underlying problems or the fact that, in order to prevent future default, a fundamental shift in the economy's ratio of output to consumption must take place.
However, none of Pakistan's political parties appear to possess the political power or aptitude to effectuate a change like this. The most recent attacks now emphasize the requirement for a thorough examination of the nation's counterterrorism policies. But it is uncertain if Pakistan's leaders can be able to successfully address the country's escalating security concerns amid a backdrop of expanding economic turmoil and a growing divide in politics.
Unfortunately, the increase in violence throughout Pakistan has merely worsened already extremely concerning as sociopolitical and ethnic divides rather than evoking a concerted response aimed at defeating terrorists.
Overall, the lesson learned is that every Pakistani citizen, regardless of party affiliation, is a crucial player in the struggle for Pakistan's soul and its future as a nation with enormous potential. The next stages are difficult. If the stated policy goals are to be accomplished, effective policy implementation will necessitate a government-wide strategy, and sectoral changes will be essential.
There should be automatic voter registration by government, you may make sure that everyone who is eligible to vote is registered to do so whenever they deal with government agencies. To raise understanding of the voting process, candidates, and matters on the ballot, we may run voter education campaigns. Investigate the implementation of mobile voting or other innovative approaches to boost voter turnout. Electoral infrastructure should be protected from outside manipulation by strengthening security measures.
The creation of an electoral system that maintains democratic ideals and ensures the fairness of the voting process should be our ultimate goal. Careful preparation and collaboration with stakeholders, such as election authorities, political parties, and civil society organizations, are necessary for the implementation of these policies. Therefore, we should put aside our conflicts and work together for the good of our nation and our future.