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- By Abhirupa Kundu
- Wed, 07 Feb 2024 03:45 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pakistan is all geared up to face elections on Thursday, the 10th general election that has been replete with controversies and disputes. On February 8 key candidates from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will contest against each other to form a new government. Amid the political upheaval, it's significant to shine a light on these parties and their stance on India.
A Look At Key Candidates In Fray For Pakistan's Electoral Race
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari- Pakistan People's Party: As PPP braces itself for the upcoming elections, Bhutto, 35, whose family's political trajectory has been marred by power struggles and tragedies time and again, through his campaigns and rallies has urged people to vote for his party.
The PPP leader appealed to the people not to waste their vote by casting for any independent candidate--an apparent reference to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidates.
Referring to his party symbol, Bhutto said, "There will be a rain of arrows on February 8", Geo News reported.
In the context of India, Bhutto has had varying opinions at different stages, at times vouching for the betterment of the ties between New Delhi and Islamabad, while sometimes criticising India's militarised zones.
Bilawal Bhutto along with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the SCO meet in 2023. (Photo credit: Reuters)
Earlier speaking on the G20 Summit, Bhutto had said, "They're abusing their presidency of the G20 to push their colonial agenda, but if they think that by holding one event in occupied Kashmir they can silence the voice of the Kashmiri people, then I believe that they are truly mistaken."
Cricketer turned politician Imran Khan- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: The ousted former Pakistan prime minister who has been entangled in multiple cases and is currently serving a 34-year jail term in over 150 cases.
Imran Khan gestures as he travels on a vehicle to lead a protest march in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo credit: Reuters)
In 2023, Khan had remarked that there was indeed an opening for peace with India. Commenting that he wasn't aware of the trade talks between the two countries, he said "All I know is that there was supposed to be a quid pro quo. India was supposed to give some concession, give some sort of a roadmap to Kashmir, and I was going to then host Prime Minister Modi in Pakistan. But it never materialized."
Nawaz Sharif- Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz: The political stalwart who has served as Pakistan's prime minister for three consecutive terms is likely to retain his reign and secure the top post for the fourth time.
It's a privilege for me to run the door-to-door election campaign of my leader, Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Spreading her message to each resident of NA-119 is my mission and inshAllah Maryam Nawaz Sharif will with huge margins. pic.twitter.com/xTJ3XywjBi
— Salma Butt (@SalmaButtPMLN) January 29, 2024
Sharif who has always advocated repairing ties between India and Pakistan in his party's manifesto promised a "message of peace" to India given that New Delhi withdraws the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Nawaz Sharif during a meeting in 2014. (Photo credit: Reuters)
The 74-year-old who recently returned from exile has also taken cognizance of India's progress and global achievements. After the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon, Sharif had said, "Our neighbors have reached the moon, but we haven't even risen from the ground so far. It can't continue like this."