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From the pre-poll phase to election day irregularities to the post-poll counting process \u2014 the attempts to subvert the PTI that were blatantly executed have not gone unnoticed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou might be wondering why it has taken us a couple of days to talk about Pakistan politics and Pakistani elections, one of our favourite subjects; that\u2019s because one, the situation has been fast-moving and second, the situation has been much too cluttered also for me to hold forth on it\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n This is how The Print\u2019s<\/em> editor-in-chief Shekhar Gupta started his Cut The Clutter episode<\/a> 48 hours after the general elections. And cluttered undoubtedly it has been.<\/p>\n Following the turbulent year Pakistan\u2019s politics has faced, the international media\u2019s coverage of the country\u2019s elections \u2014 undisputedly controversial<\/a> even before the date was announced \u2014 has been hard-hitting, to say the least. From the pre-poll phase to election day irregularities to the post-poll counting process \u2014 the attempts to subvert the PTI that were blatantly executed have not gone unnoticed; neither has the fact that PTI-backed candidates clinched majority National Assembly seats in spite of them.<\/p>\n Here, Dawn.com<\/em> looks at some of the reporting and analysis from across the globe on the elections that were, contrary to the pre-poll predictions, anything but predictable.<\/p>\n The Guardian<\/em> \u2014 The Observer view on Pakistan voters\u2019 rejection of military rule: a victory for democracy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAttempts to ignore Khan and his supporters may trigger further unrest and instability. That is the opposite of what the country needs. At a time in history when the integrity of democracy in India and Bangladesh also faces serious questions, Pakistanis should take a moment to celebrate the voter revolt of 2024.\u201d<\/p>\n Bloomberg<\/em> \u2014 Imran Khan\u2019s candidates defy odds to thrive in Pakistan election<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe independents\u2019 strong performance points to Khan\u2019s enduring popularity among the nation\u2019s 129 million registered voters, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet amid the fastest inflation in Asia. It also highlights public disillusionment with the status quo of Pakistani politics, represented by the parties of the Sharif and Bhutto clans.\u201d<\/p>\n The New York Times<\/em> \u2014 Shocking opposition victory throws Pakistan into chaos<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe success of Mr Khan\u2019s party upended the decades-old political playbook governing Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation of 240 million. Throughout those years, the military has wielded ultimate authority, guiding its politics behind a veil of secrecy, and civilian leaders have typically risen to power only with its support \u2014 or been driven from office by its heavy hand.\u201d<\/p>\n The Independent<\/em> \u2014 Pakistan election credibility already marred by internet blackout and slow count amid anxious wait for results<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cBut whoever ends up winning the election, the way it was conducted will guarantee recriminations over the validity of the result, and serves as a bleak reminder of the power still held by the country\u2019s military establishment to try and interfere with its democratic processes.\u201d<\/p>\n Sky News<\/em> \u2014 Pakistan is in political limbo after election upset – so what\u2019s next?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cTo me, the PPP\u2019s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari could well be the kingmaker. His centrist party will need to decide if it\u2019s the status quo of Sharif they want to get behind or the more radical agenda of the independents. What is clear is the military has taken a hit this election. For the first time ever, they appeared to back a candidate at odds with the political winds of the rest of the country.\u201d<\/p>\n Time Magazine<\/em> \u2014 Pakistan\u2019s military used every trick to sideline Imran Khan\u2014and failed. Now what?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c[\u2026] the question remains how PTI supporters will react to their disenfranchisement, not least given the grim state of the economy. On May 9, PTI supporters ransacked military premises in response to an earlier, fleeting arrest of Khan. He may remain behind bars, but Thursday\u2019s election shows the sporting icon is far from done as a political force.\u201d<\/p>\n France 24<\/em> \u2014 The \u2018generals\u2019 elections\u2019 in Pakistan that turned against the military<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe country\u2019s real power-wielder, however, was not on the ballot paper, and Pakistanis were never given a symbol or say on the issue. The 2024 general election was dubbed the most rigged in Pakistan\u2019s history, with wags on social media calling it the \u2018generals\u2019 election\u2019, referring to the all-powerful military in the nuclear-armed South Asian nation.\u201d<\/p>\n India Today<\/em> \u2014 Jailed Imran Khan steals the show, time for Army to introspect?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWhile hobnobbing and cobbling up an alliance to suit the establishment must already be underway, any government by \u2018selection\u2019 is not acceptable anymore to the people of Pakistan. Should the government formation look different from the mandate of the people, expect chaos in the streets of Pakistan.\u201d<\/p>\n CNBC<\/em> \u2014 Pakistan\u2019s ex-PM Nawaz Sharif declares victory in fraught election as opponents claim vote-rigging<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe election, voting for which began the morning of Feb 8, comes at an especially turbulent time for the country of 240 million. Known for its decades of volatile politics involving assassinations, imprisonments and military coups, Pakistan is now in the throes of an economic crisis and its largest party has been banned from running in the election.\u201d<\/p>\n