Violence, Sharif corruption case put Pakistan on edge ahead of elections

They both returned home from London this month to turn themselves in after they were found guilty of hiding money from the property of London apartments and other offshore properties, a case that stemmed from the leaked 2016 Panama Papers.

"The difference now is that I " Khan wrote on Twitter this month, speak to a public that understands issues like corruption and how it impacts their lives. "They now understand [the] correlation between corruption & poverty, unemployment & inflation."

His message has been resonated with the country's growing urban middle class, which is mostly young and conservative, said Michael Kugelman, a senior associate for South Asia

"These young urban conservative middle-class folks," said Kugelman said. (19659015) Sharif's party is reeling from the fact that its charismatic founder is in prison and disqualified for life from holding office.

But the party remains formidable, particularly in populous Punjab province – home to 141 National Assembly seats – which lifted Sharif to power in the 2013 elections. To control the government outright, a party needs to win at least 172 seats.

Before turning himself in, Sharif energized his base by alleging that the corrupt charges were part of a move by the forces to push him out. [19659018AsprimeministerSharifwasoftenatoddswiththemilitaryandadvocatedforpoliciesitsleaderswereagainstsuchasnormalizingrelationswithIndiathecountry'sbitterfoe

After boarding the plane that would deliver him to Pakistani authorities, Sharif For the sake of success, it is possible that they are able to defend their position in prison (19659020) "Let's change the destiny of this country . These opportunities will not come again, "Sharif said in a statement that some analysts believe it was meant to lay the groundwork for a longer-term resurgence if his party – now headed by his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif – were to lose. [19659021] Maryam Nawaz, who has relentlessly attacked the military for being behind "a mockery of justice," is considered the party's heir apparent.

The third major party – the Pakistan People's Party, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the sound of slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto is a strong contender. But it is possible to have a role in forming a coalition if there is no clear winner – a possibility that, analysts say, would also likely lead to more hostility.

[Once a mighty political force, the Pakistan People’s Party is struggling to make a comeback]

Pakistan's military and security forces are preoccupied with the recent heightened potential for violence on election day. The National Counter Terrorism Authority told the country's election commission that the leaders of the political parties face the threat of attack.

Two candidates for local legislatures were killed in the spate of attacks that killed dozens in the past month. Last week, a father-son duo on the Pakistan Muslim League-N ticket narrowly escaped being gunned down in their car while leaving a political rally in Punjab

With some candidates tied to Islamist extremist groups, the nation's nerves are on edge

"The recent wave of terrorist attacks," said Sohail Warraich, a political commentator based in Lahore. "It's a serious challenge for our security forces to ensure peaceful and smooth elections."

Government officials say that, in addition to the armed forces stationed at voting stations, local police and the Pakistan Rangers, a federal paramilitary group, will be Deployed.

Such a show of force for the sake of those who believe in military elections

Mehdi Hasan, chairman of the League of Nations and the Pakistan People's Party have been harassed by security forces

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, said his organization "is gravely concerned" about the potential influence of the security forces on the outcome

"While it is critical that the polls are held as scheduled," Hasan said in a statement, " There are now ample grounds to doubt their legitimacy – with alarming implications for Pakistan's transition to an effective democracy. "

Olivo reported from Kabul.

Read more:

Islamist terrorism wanes in Pakistan, but religious fervor threatens national unity

In Pakistan, a young man was killed by police.

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