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Top Political Events in Pakistan in 2024
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- Web Desk
- Dec 31, 2024

There is never a dull moment in Pakistan’s politics, and the year 2024 was no exception. The year was filled with significant events and breakthroughs that would influence the country’s future.
From elections to judicial reforms here are some of the key events that made headlines in Pakistan this year.
GENERAL ELECTIONS 2024
The year began in February with the highly anticipated general elections held on February 8. The elections were marred by controversies from its very onset.
All three major players the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) fiercely contested for power.
However, the PTI claimed that a level playing field was not provided to them as their key candidates were either imprisoned or had gone underground to evade arrest.
Furthermore, they lost their iconic ‘bat’ electoral symbol after the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission’s decision, citing irregularities in PTI’s internal elections. The ruling was not well taken by the party which claimed that it was a deliberate move to exclude them from the ballot.
The party candidates were forced to contest elections as independents and were allotted various symbols. Despite these hurdles, the party managed to bag 102 seats in the National Assembly.
Following the elections, the PML-N, led by Nawaz Sharif, was declared the winner. The party, despite its ‘victory’ did not secure a parliamentary majority and had to form a coalition government with the PPP and other allies.
On March 3, Shahbaz Sharif became Prime Minister for a second term, supported by the PML-N and PPP alliance. Subsequently, on March 10, Asif Ali Zardari assumed the presidency for a second term, taking over from Arif Alvi.
IMRAN KHAN’S LEGAL CHALLENGES
The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) and its leader former prime minister Imran Khan, faced immense political and legal challenges throughout 2024.
Khan, who remained entangled in various court cases and disqualifications, found it increasingly difficult to mobilise his party.
The cases that posed a challenge for Imran Khan included May 9 cases, 190 million pound, the iddat case and the Toshakhana case 2.
Besides the cases, the internal rifts within the PTI also posed a challenge for Imran Khan.
PTI leaders and workers, however, remained resolute, staging rallies and public gatherings to protest against what they termed as “political victimisation.”
Towards the year’s end, a shift in PTI’s policy of “no talks with the government” was seen. A committee was formed for talks between the government and the PTI, which held its first maiden meeting at the end of December.
THE CONTROVERSIAL 26TH AMENDMENT
In October 2024, Pakistan’s parliament passed the 26th constitutional amendment, which allowed lawmakers to appoint the top judge, the move was seen as stripping the powers of the higher judiciary that had previously favored the incarcerated Imran Khan.
This amendment, also referred to as the Constitutional Package removed the Supreme Court’s suo motu powers, established a three-year term for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), and granted the prime minister the authority to select the next CJP from the top three senior judges.
The amendment was resisted by several political parties, including the allies of the PML-N. Several rounds of talks were held between the government allies, PTI and Maulana Fazl ur Rehman to muster support for the amendment.
A key point of contention was the introduction of a Federal Constitutional Court, resisted by the PTI, while JUI-F leader Fazl insisted on a constitutional bench instead.
Despite opposition from Maulana Fazl ur Rehman and the PTI on several sections of the amendment, the PML-N-led coalition managed to secure a two-thirds majority in favor of the bill, aided by the support of the PPP.
Some dissenting PTI members also voted for the reform. The original draft contained 56 amendments, which were ultimately reduced to 27 in the final version.
RETIREMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICE FAEZ ISA
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s controversial tenure concluded in September 2024, despite government attempts to extend his term through amendments.
His role was remembered more for his conflicts within the judiciary than for upholding the rule of law and judicial independence.
Justice Isa is also credited with the passage of the 26th constitutional amendment that enhanced executive influence over judicial appointments, including that of the CJP and the formation of benches through the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.
His role is likely to be remembered for weakening the judiciary’s integrity.
MADRASS BILLL FINALLY GETS ENACTED
The registration of madrassah law was enacted as President Asif Ali Zardari signed the bill into law on December 29. The National Assembly Secretariat had also issued the gazette notification of the Societies Registration Amendment Act, 2024.
“Madrassa” has been defined as “a religious institution and includes a Jamia or Dar-ul-Uloom, called by any other name, established or operated primarily for the purposes of imparting religious education, which provides boarding and lodging facilities”.
