Pakistan is gearing up for its twelfth general elections in its 76-year history, as 127 million voters prepare to cast their ballots on Thursday. Over the years, the country has faced various challenges including economic crises, military interventions, political turmoil, sectarian violence, and conflicts with neighboring India. This year's elections involve 44 political parties competing for the 266 seats in the National Assembly, along with an additional 70 seats reserved for women and minorities.
The three dominant parties in Pakistani politics are the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). The PML-N is considered the leading contender, with the ballot featuring two former prime ministers, Nawaz Sharif and his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif. The PPP, led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, has a stronghold in the southern region of the country and is unlikely to secure enough votes for the premiership, but could potentially become part of a coalition government led by the Sharif brothers.
