PAUSE AND EFFECT

Opposition fears that the government plans to delay national elections due later this year

- MEHMAL SARFRAZ

Pakistan is entering yet another phase of political uncertainty with former prime minister Imran Khan sent to prison and the National Assembly completing its term. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has requested President Arif Alvi to dissolve the National Assembly on August 9 and hand over power to a caretaker government. The Sindh and the Balochistan provincial assemblies are also likely to be dissolved. Provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were dissolved by their Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) governments, in January. Elections have not taken place in these two provinces, despite the constitutional requirement to hold elections within 90 days and the directives of the supreme court. Many observers are, therefore, sceptical whether national elections will take place on time or not.

The next elections will determine the political future of the PTI and its chairman, Imran Khan. Imran was arrested on August 5 after an Islamabad court found him guilty of "corrupt practices" in the Toshakhana (state gifts) case. He was sentenced to three years in jail and a fine of one lakh Pakistani rupees and has been barred from politics for five years. The court said Imran "cheated while providing information about gifts he obtained from Toshakhana which later proved to be false and inaccurate" and that his "dishonesty has been established beyond doubt".