Current Affairs: Pakistan in 2024 and Recent Developments
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Topic 10 — Key Facts for KPK PMS Core concept: Pakistan in 2024 is facing a convergence of political, economic, and security crises; the February 2024 general elections produced a fractured mandate, leading to the formation of a coalition government under PM Shehbaz Sharif; PTI won the most seats but was denied a government; the economy faces a balance of payments crisis while Imran Khan remains imprisoned High-yield point: The February 8, 2024 general elections were widely criticised for alleged rigging; PTI won 92 National Assembly seats vs PML(N)‘s 75 and PPP’s 54; post-election protests by PTI were dispersed with tear gas; Shehbaz Sharif became PM with a PML(N)-PPP-PTB coalition; Imran Khan is serving multiple prison sentences totalling 34 years (later reduced); the economy requires IMF programme conditionality ⚡ Exam tip: The 2024 elections are the most recent major political event; know the seat counts, the formation of the coalition government, the key challenges of the economy, and Imran Khan’s status
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Pakistan’s Political Situation in 2024
The February 2024 General Elections
Background: The 2024 general elections were held on February 8, 2024 to elect the 12th National Assembly and four provincial assemblies. The previous government of Imran Khan (PTI) was ousted via a vote of no-confidence in April 2022.
Key Issues:
- Imran Khan was in prison, unable to campaign directly; he ran his campaign via messages from jail and hiswife Bushra Bibi’s appeals
- The PTI was denied the “bat” election symbol by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), forcing its candidates to run as independents
- Widespread internet shutdowns and allegations of pre-poll manipulation
- The military reportedly supported PML(N) and opposed PTI
National Assembly Seat Count ( unofficial/in disputed results):
| Party | Seats |
|---|---|
| Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) | 92 (ran as independents with “independent” symbol) |
| Pakistan Muslim League (N) | 75 |
| Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) | 54 |
| Pakistan Muslim League (Q) | 6 |
| Others (MMA, BAP, etc.) | 39 |
⚡ Key Fact: No single party won a simple majority (requires 169 of 336 seats). PTI won the most seats but far short of a majority.
Post-Election Developments:
- PTI claimed widespread rigging and organised protests (February 9–11, 2024)
- Security forces dispersed protests with tear gas in major cities
- The ECP rejected PTI’s rigging allegations without a full audit
- PML(N) and PPP formed a coalition government
- Shehbaz Sharif (PML(N)) became Prime Minister on March 3, 2024
- Asif Ali Zardari (PPP) was elected President of Pakistan on March 9, 2024
Imran Khan’s Legal Status
Imran Khan has been sentenced to multiple prison terms since 2022:
| Case | Sentence | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Toshakhana case (gifts not declared) | 3 years | Served; suspended on appeal |
| Cipher case | 10 years | Under appeal; sentenced August 2023 |
| 190 million pounds case (UK property) | 14 years | Under appeal |
| Marriage violation (unauthorized second marriage) | 7 years | Under appeal |
| Contempt of court | 3 years | Served |
| Total | ~34 years (various) | Under appeal; most recent sentences |
Legal Controversy:
- Khan’s lawyer was given limited access to clients
- Some cases have been heard in-camera (closed hearings)
- The international community (US, UK, EU) has called for Khan’s fair trial
- PTI has organised rallies demanding Khan’s release despite government restrictions
The Coalition Government
The Shehbaz Sharif Cabinet (2024):
- Prime Minister: Shehbaz Sharif (PML(N))
- Finance Minister: Muhammad Aurangzeb (technocrat; former Bank of Punjab CEO)
- Foreign Minister: Ishaq Dar (PML(N)); former Finance Minister
- Defence Minister: Khawaja Muhammad Asif (PML(N))
- Interior Minister: Rana Sanaullah Khan (PML(N))
- Law Minister: Azam Nazir Tarar
- Planning Minister: Ahsan Iqbal (PPP)
The Government’s Priorities:
- Stabilise the economy — secure IMF programme, reduce fiscal deficit
- Implement IMF conditionalities — increase taxes, reduce subsidies, improve revenue collection
- Restore political stability — manage opposition from PTI
- Security — counter-terrorism, border management
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Pakistan’s Economic Situation in 2024
The Balance of Payments Crisis
Pakistan is facing a severe balance of payments crisis:
Current Account Deficit: Pakistan’s current account deficit peaked at ~$6.7 billion in 2022, driven by:
- High import bill (petroleum, machinery, food)
- Low exports (textile-driven, limited diversification)
- Debt servicing obligations
Foreign Exchange Reserves:
- Pakistan’s forex reserves fell to ~$4–5 billion (enough for ~6 weeks of imports)
- The State Bank of Pakistan had to seek IMF assistance
- The PKR depreciated sharply: from ~PKR 200/USD (2022) to ~PKR 280–290/USD (2024)
The IMF Programme: Pakistan entered a 9-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF in 2023:
- $3 billion SBA approved: July 2023
- Conditionalities: Increase in electricity tariffs, gas prices; rationalisation of subsidies; improvement in tax-to-GDP ratio; reduce circular debt
- Reviews delayed multiple times due to slippages
- A new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) is reportedly under discussion (2024)
The Circular Debt: The energy sector’s circular debt remains a major fiscal burden (~Rs. 2.5 trillion):
- Power distribution companies (DISCOs) cannot collect sufficient revenue
- Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are not paid
- The government borrows to cover the gap → fiscal deficit
Inflation:
- Inflation peaked at ~30% (CPI) in 2023
- By mid-2024, inflation had declined to ~25–28% but remained high
- Food inflation was particularly severe
- The middle class and poor bore the worst impact
Pakistan’s Relations with China in 2024
CPEC Progress and Challenges:
- CPEC Phase 1 (energy and infrastructure) largely complete
- Phase 2 (industrial cooperation, agriculture, Gwadar development) has been slower
- The Gwadar Port: Phase 1 operational; phase 2 under development
- Security concerns: Chinese nationals in Pakistan have been targeted (Dasu bus attack, 2021; Gwadar attacks)
New CPEC Projects (2024):
- Rashakai SEZ (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa): First operational SEZ
- ML-1 Railway upgradation: Ongoing but behind schedule
- Digital infrastructure projects
Bilateral Tensions:
- Pakistan’s dependence on Chinese loans (at commercial rates) has raised concerns about debt sustainability
- China has been relatively hands-off in Pakistan’s domestic politics
Pakistan-India Relations in 2024
The Post-2019 Status Quo: After India’s revocation of Article 370 (2019) and the Balakot strikes, relations have remained frozen:
- No bilateral dialogue
- Limited trade (India suspended trade in 2019)
- Kashmir remains the core dispute
Jammu and Kashmir Elections (October 2024): India held elections in Indian-administered J&K in October 2024 — the first since 2019:
- The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was dissolved by New Delhi in 2019
- Voting occurred under the new union territory structure
- Results showed strong support for regional parties (APHC-Pehli Muddat)
- India described the elections as proof of “democratic normalcy”
Pakistan’s Response: Pakistan called for international monitoring of elections and reaffirmed support for the Kashmiri people.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations in 2024
The Taliban Government: After the Taliban took Kabul in August 2021, Pakistan’s relations with the Taliban government have been complex:
Positive aspects:
- No attacks from Afghan territory on Pakistan (initially after 2021)
- The Taliban’s initial governance was more pragmatic than expected
Negative aspects:
- The Afghan Taliban’s Haqqani Network has links to TTP
- TTP attacks from Afghan soil have increased (2023–2024)
- Pakistan has pressed the Taliban to close TTP sanctuaries; limited success
- The Durand Line fence construction has created tensions
The Pakistani Refugee Issue:
- Pakistan hosts ~2.7 million Afghan refugees (UNHCR registered)
- Pakistan has been under pressure from the international community to allow refugees to remain
- After the Taliban takeover, Pakistan began requiring unregistered refugees to return
- Pakistan has not forcibly repatriated registered refugees due to humanitarian and international law concerns
Pakistan’s Regional Environment in 2024
The Iran Question:
- The Israel-Gaza conflict (since October 2023) has destabilised the Middle East
- Pakistan voted against some Arab positions in the OIC (Uyghur vote)
- Saudi Arabia-Pakistan relations cooled temporarily but have since recovered
- The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline remains delayed
The Central Asian Dimension:
- Pakistan has sought stronger ties with Central Asian republics (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan)
- The Trans-Afghan Railway (Hairatan-Mazar-i-Sharif-Sheberghan) is under development as a trade link
- Pakistan’s access to Central Asian markets is limited by Afghan instability
Key Developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2024)
Security Situation:
- TTP attacks increased in 2023–2024
- Multiple incidents of security forces killed in former FATA areas
- Operations Radd-ul-Fasaad and local CT operations ongoing
The Provincial Government:
- The KP government (PTI-led until the no-confidence vote in January 2024)
- The PTI government was ousted via a no-confidence vote in January 2024
- A PML(N)-PPP coalition government was formed under CM Ali Amjad Malak
Reforms and Projects:
- Digital government initiative: Online land records, e-governance
- Health sector reforms: Insufficient infrastructure, brain drain of doctors
- Education: Low literacy remains a challenge
⚡ Exam Tip: The provincial government’s financial dependence on federal NFC awards is a recurring political issue. KP receives a disproportionate share of the divisible pool relative to its development needs, but provincial politicians argue it is insufficient.
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