YE Pakistan Politics
Metadata
- YE Pakistan Politics
- December 12, 2023
- Content Type Package
- Language English
- Transcript/Script ((PLAYBOOK SLUG: YE: Pakistan Politics HEADLINE: Military’s Grip on Pakistani Politics Remained Strong in 2023 TEASER: As Pakistan heads to much-delayed polls in February, observers worry voters already may be losing faith in the electoral process PUBLISHED: 12/12/2023 AT 8:20AM BYLINE: Sarah Zaman CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: Islamabad, Pakistan VIDEOGRAPHER: Wajid Asad, VOA Urdu, VOA Deewa, Wires, ISPR VIDEO EDITOR: Malik Waqar Ahmed SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, DLJ VIDEO SOURCE: VOA original, Wire PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X__ RADIO _X TRT: 3:46 VID APPROVED BY: TYPE: TVPKG EDITOR NOTES: )) ((INTRO)) Top Pakistani politicians saw their fortunes take a turn in 2023. As Pakistan heads to much-delayed polls in February amid an environment of repression, observers note the military remains a strong factor in the country's political landscape. VOA’s Pakistan Bureau Chief Sarah Zaman reports from Islamabad. ((Nats, crowd during Khan's arrest)) ((NARRATION)) As one former Pakistani prime minister went behind bars for corruption and saw his legal woes multiply... ((NAT of supporters/police cars)) ...another, also convicted of corruption, returned after four years and saw his legal challenges melt away. ((NAT of Sharif rally)) [[Radio: Saroop Ijaz is senior counsel of the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch.]] ((Saroop Ijaz, Human Rights Watch (Male, English))) “Pakistani politics is still controlled, is still susceptible to factors other than electoral politics, other than popularity, other than the will of the people.” ((NARRATION)) The Pakistani military is the most important factor in the country's politics. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who until recently was calling out the military for political meddling, returned to Pakistan after negotiating with the powerful institution. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who once touted his closeness with the top brass, blamed it for his ouster and mounting legal troubles. Khan spoke to VOA from his home in March as his supporters clashed with police to prevent his arrest. ((English)) ((Sarah Zaman, VOA News)) ((Skype)) “In your message to your supporters, you said that there is one man who is making all the decisions for Pakistan. Who is that one man?” ((Imran Khan, Former Prime Minister of Pakistan)) ((Skype)) “It’s the army chief. He makes all the decisions.” ((NARRATION)) In jail since August 5, Khan faces a long list of charges including corruption, sedition and treason. [[radio: Amber Rahim Shamsi is a political analyst.]] ((Amber Rahim Shamsi, Political Analyst (Female, English))) ((Skype)) “The lesson here is that anybody who challenges the military establishment in any way or form, whether it is through rioting, whether it is through resisting interference in political affairs as well, is going to be cut out of politics, sometimes brutally, sometimes subtly.” ((NARRATION)) The military came under an unprecedented attack this year when Khan’s supporters stormed its offices and properties to protest their leader’s May 9 arrest. ((Nat of May 9 riots)) ((NARRATION)) ((Mandatory CG: PTV)) The army chief and the government vowed strict action. ((end courtesy)) Mass arrests of leaders and supporters of Khan’s party — Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI — followed. At least 80 politicians announced they were quitting the PTI or politics altogether. They spoke from a strikingly similar script that condemned the violence and expressed support for the military. [[radio: Again, analyst Amber Rahim Shamsi]] ((Amber Rahim Shamsi, Political Analyst (Female, Pakistan))) ((Skype)) “No political party had gone that far. Therefore, you saw the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf really being cut down to size.” ((NARRATION)) Observers say this has created an environment of fear. Khan’s name and face have disappeared from the media, and he is disqualified from running for office. Still, he remains popular. [[Radio: Again, Saroop Ijaz of Human Rights Watch]] ((Saroop Ijaz, Human Rights Watch (Male, English))) “Political parties have deep roots. They have deep societal roots. I don’t think a coercive attempt will dismantle a party in the long run.” ((Sarah Zaman, VOA News Pakistan Bureau Chief)) Khan’s party is struggling to campaign freely before the next general elections slated for February, and other political players are accusing Sharif of being the establishment’s favorite. Observers worry Pakistanis could lose faith in the electoral process. ((Narration to replace Standup: Khan’s party is struggling to freely campaign for the general elections slated for February 2024, and other political players are accusing Sharif of being the establishment’s current favorite. Observers worry voters’ trust in the system is eroding. [[Radio: Saroop Ejaz]] ((Saroop Ejaz, Human Rights Watch)) ((Male)) ((This SOT will be dropped in standup version) “The faith in electoral process resulting in just outcomes is low, and that should be restored.” ((NARRATION)) Speaking to VOA in November, Pakistan caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said he wants to satisfy election observers but is not worried if the public is dissatisfied. ((Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Caretaker Pakistani Prime Minister)) ((Male, English)) “We’ll hand it over to the next elected government, whosoever they are. The rest of the political controversy and discussions can go on and on and on.” ((Sarah Zaman, VOA News)) They will become somebody else’s problem? ((Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Caretaker Pakistani Prime Minister)) “Of course, it’s not ours.” ((NARRATION)) ((Mandatory CG: Inter Services Public Relations) Military leadership has not publicly addressed allegations of supporting or opposing any political party. ((end courtesy)) In a June Gallup Pakistan public opinion poll, 64 percent of the respondents said the military should have a role in politics. ((Sarah Zaman, VOA News, Islamabad))
- NewsML Media Topics Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
- Network VOA
- Embargo Date December 12, 2023 09:33 EST
- Byline Sarah Zaman
- Brand / Language Service Voice of America