There cannot be free, fair polls with an opposition party ‘criminalised’: Ilhan Omar

US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said that there cannot be free and fair elections in Pakistan when 'one of the opposition parties has been criminalised'. 

In a post on X, she recalled raising concerns about human rights in Pakistan, adding that 'things have only gotten worse'. 

National elections in Pakistan next Thursday (February 8). This election is going to be held after almost two years of political tension and unrest after the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a vote of no confidence.

It is believed that 74-year-old former three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif can return to power in this election with the blessing of the army. Because Nawaz's main rival cricketer-turned-politician and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been removed from the election 'game'.

Despite the election being held under a caretaker government, the polls are going to be held amid allegations of army interference and unprecedented repression of activists and candidates of Imran's party Tehreek-e-Insaf.

World Cup-winning cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan is now in jail. He is unable to participate in the election as he is convicted in a corruption case. However, despite being in jail, this leader of Tehreek-e-Insaf is currently the most popular politician in Pakistan. This is what the BBC recently reported citing a Gallup poll.

Like Imran, many other leaders of his party are in jail. Many were not nominated as candidates by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Election symbol of PTI has also been taken away. However, those who have been nominated are contesting as 'independent candidates'. In such a situation, there are doubts about the election being free, fair and impartial.

About 150 cases have been filed against Imran Khan. As a result, the legal troubles do not seem to end easily. Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 7 years in prison for their last marriage. A fine has also been imposed.

This is the third verdict against Imran Khan by the court this week. He and his trusted aide, former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, were sentenced to 10 years in prison for leaking state secrets. The next day on January 31, Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 14 years in prison on charges of selling state gifts referred as Toshakhana case.

Despite all these obstacles and repression, Imran Khan and his PTI are getting massive support from the people of Pakistan. And so, even though he could not participate directly, this 72-year-old politician is one of the most important players in this election.