More than 70 big names to miss general elections 2024 and decided not to compete in the February 2024 general election. Some of Pakistan’s most notable and important leaders, including two past prime ministers, are among them.
The Hum Investigation Team (HIT) contacted several of the ex-lawmakers to discover why they dropped out of the election. Many of them expressed their displeasure with the present political scenario and the absence of substantial reforms.
Former PTI MNA Mohsin Khan Leghari claimed he was saddened by the country’s ongoing “political shenanigans” and did not file his candidacy papers. Another ex-PTI MNA, Khusro Bakhtiar, opted out of the race.
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More than 70 former National Assembly members have opted not to compete in the upcoming general election in February 2024. Among them are some of Pakistan’s most notable and important leaders, including two past prime ministers.
The Hum Investigation Team (HIT) contacted several of the ex-lawmakers to learn the reasons for their resignation from the election contest. Many of them voiced displeasure with the present political climate and the absence of real reforms.
Former PTI MNA Mohsin Khan Leghari expressed regret for the country’s ongoing “political shenanigans” and did not file his nomination papers. Khusro Bakhtiar, another ex-PTI MNA, also pulled out of the race.
Due to health difficulties, Asfandyar Wali Khan, the president of the ANP and a senior politician, will not run in the elections. According to ANP spokesperson Samar Bilour, his son would run in his stead as the candidate from his home constituency.
Ghaus Bux Mehar, a former PPP MNA who had won five times before, said he wanted to quit politics to give the new generation an opportunity. His son will run from Shikarpur for his seat.
Because of sickness, former Prime Minister and PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain will not run in the elections. He did not submit his documents, according to a family member.
Another ex-premier and prominent PML-N leader, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, said he was dissatisfied with the current political and electoral institutions and saw little chance for reform. He stated that he desired a dramatic revamp of the country’s government and electoral systems.
According to a Hum Investigation Team study, almost 98% of ex-MPs did not file their nomination papers by the deadline of December 22, 2023. Among them, scores of women were not nominated for reserved seats by their parties. The investigation also revealed the deaths of four former members of the previous legislature.
Miftah Ismail, the former finance minister, Javed Hashmi, the veteran politician, Jamal Laghari, the former state minister, Rai Mujtaba Kharal, the former MNA from Bahawalpur, Hamid Nasir Chatta, the former speaker of the National Assembly, and Imran Ismail, the former governor of Sindh, are among the prominent politicians who are not running.
Sumera Malik, Mian Shafiq, Asad Umar, Ali Zaidi, Khusro Bakhtiar, Amjad Niazi, Sadaqat Abbasi, Nusrat Sahar, and Ali Nawaz Awan are among the other ex-MPs who are not running in the elections.
Aamir Bakhsh Bhutto, Khurram Shahzad Awan, Faiz Kemuka, Mansoor Hayat, Chaudhry Jafar Iqbal, and Haider Thand are also on the list.
Maiza Hameed, Mehnaz Aziz, Ishrat Ashraf, Manza Hassan, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Shireen Mazari, Andaleeb Abbas, Rida Khan, Shehzadi Umarzadi Tiwana, Ghazala Saifee, Aamra Khan, Asma Qadeer, Seemi Bukhari, Sobia Kamal, and Malaika Bukhari.
