There will be genera elections in Pakistan, a leading South Asian country, on 25th of July 2018. The last national assembly completed its term on 31 May and a caretaker government has been put in place in Islamabad to supervise elections. There is an independent Election Commission of Pakistan, which is responsible to hold the elections.
This is a second time that assemblies have completed their terms in Pakistan after end of Military rule in 2008.
There are four provinces in Pakistan -- Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. So the provincial assemblies have also completed their terms in the May 2018 and caretaker set ups have been put in place in the provinces as well.
Elections are held for both National Assembly and provincial assemblies on the same day, thus the voters will be provided two ballot papers, each one for national and provincial assembly with different of colours for identification. Pakistan is a federation of 4 provinces and a few capital territories like Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jamu and Kashmir and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Last national assembly has allowed merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly but elections in those areas will be held next year. There are separate governance system in the territories. Constitution of Pakistan recognises 4 provinces and after 18th Amendment in the Constitution, provinces have acquired more powers and all departments in the concurrent federal list has been dissolved and transferred to the provinces.
All major political parties are fielding their candidates in different constituencies across Pakistan. The main political parties are: Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Pakistan Tahrik Insaf, Muttahida Quomi Movement, Jamat-e-Islami, Awami National Party, Pak Sarzameen Party, National Party, Jamiat Ulema Pakistan (Fazl) and other smaller parties.
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) along with JUI-F, National Party and independents were in the last government. Nawaz Sharif was removed by Supreme Court of Pakistan as Prime Minister after his family's name came in Panama Papers. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi took over as Prime Minister for the remaining 9-month tenure (August 2017-May 2018). Nawaz Sharif still stands disqualified as the apex court has disqualified him for the life.
Main political leaders of Pakistan are: Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Asfandyar Khan Wali, Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Mustafa Kamal Khan, Maulana Sirajul Haq, Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed, Chaudhry Shujaat, Chaudhry Pervaiz Ellahi.
It is hoped a new government would be installed in August.
Image of Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (last Prime Minister of Pakistan)
