Former Pakistani minister Ahsan Iqbal faced sharp criticism during an event at Oxford University, where he was introduced as a member of the political party accused of orchestrating the most significant attack on liberal democracy in Pakistan’s history.
At Oxford University, Ahsan Iqbal was introduced as a member of the political party that orchestrated the greatest attack on liberal democracy in Pakistan’s history. This was done by colluding with the military to rig elections & illegitimately form a govt, despite having fairly… pic.twitter.com/ytWd0zFGmz
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 7, 2025
Iqbal, a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was confronted with allegations that his party had colluded with the military to manipulate election results, enabling them to illegitimately form a government despite securing only 17 out of 272 National Assembly seats through fair means. The introduction stirred a reaction among attendees, some of whom questioned the legitimacy of Pakistan’s recent elections.
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The accusations stem from widespread claims of electoral engineering, with opposition parties alleging that results were manipulated in favor of the PML-N and its allies. Reports of delayed vote counts, restricted media coverage, and alleged pre-election rigging had already raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process. Critics argue that such tactics undermine Pakistan’s democratic institutions and diminish public trust in the electoral system.
During the event, Iqbal attempted to defend his party’s position, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated narratives designed to discredit the government. However, the introduction and subsequent discussions reflected growing skepticism among international observers regarding Pakistan’s democratic trajectory.
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The controversy highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by Pakistan’s ruling elite on global platforms, as concerns over political interference and democratic backsliding gain international attention. The incident at Oxford serves as yet another reminder of the ongoing debate over electoral legitimacy in the country and the deepening divide between the ruling coalition and opposition forces.