Arrest further roils prospects for polls in Pakistan

Significance

Just days earlier, the PTI and the ruling coalition held their latest round of talks aimed at resolving an impasse over dates for two provincial elections and the general election. Pakistan’s politics have been deeply polarised since Khan was ousted as premier in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022.

Impacts

• Concerns will grow about the politicisation of the judiciary, which will be increasingly under the spotlight.
• The poll impasse may harden perceptions among key external sources of financial support that Pakistan cannot manage its economic crisis.
• Worsening political tensions will distract Islamabad from addressing the rising threat posed by terrorist groups.