Ahsan Iqbal, a prominent figure from Pakistan’s political landscape, was recently introduced at Oxford University as a member of the political party responsible for one of the most significant attacks on liberal democracy in Pakistan’s history.
This political party, according to critics, colluded with Pakistan’s military establishment to rig the 2022 general elections, despite having secured only 17 out of 272 seats, a clear minority. The alleged collusion and electoral manipulation resulted in the formation of an illegitimate government that many claim disregarded the will of the people.
The incident came to light during an event at the Oxford Union, where Asad Iqbal, a well-known political commentator, exposed the so-called “Form 47 government” – referring to the controversial government formed following the 2022 elections. Iqbal highlighted the blatant rigging that took place, with the military reportedly influencing the results to turn the incumbent’s 17 seats into 75, an outcome widely seen as undermining Pakistan’s democratic processes.
The orchestrated political maneuver, which critics argue was aimed at weakening Pakistan’s democracy, occurred in the wake of significant political unrest following the ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Khan’s party, which had won a fair majority in earlier polls, faced a series of legal and political challenges, culminating in the military establishment stripping the party of its election symbol. This move, observers argue, was designed to disenfranchise voters and weaken Khan’s political influence.
Asad Iqbal emphasized that the actions of the military, combined with legal manipulation, ultimately led to a political environment where democracy and the rule of law were severely compromised. “Democracy thrives on respecting the people’s mandate,” Iqbal said at the event. “What we witnessed was an unprecedented attempt to undermine that mandate and destabilize the political system.”
Imran Khan, who has been at the center of the political storm, continues to face over 200 politically motivated cases, with many human rights organizations, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, condemning the baseless charges, lack of due process, and the inhumane conditions of his imprisonment. Calls for his release have grown louder, as the international community urges Pakistan to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms.
Despite these ongoing challenges, Khan’s supporters remain steadfast, with the hashtag #خان_قوم_کی_خاطر_قید (“Khan in prison for the people’s sake”) trending as a symbol of solidarity for the former Prime Minister and his party’s fight for justice.
