Pakistan is gearing up for elections on February 8th, 2024, and the winning party will face significant challenges in terms of foreign relations with countries including India, Iran, Afghanistan, China, and the United States. Terrorism issues have strained Pakistan’s relationships with Afghanistan and Iran, while its longstanding border conflict with India remains a concern. Additionally, Pakistan has been a major recipient of US aid, but its lack of action against terror groups has strained relations with the US. The Biden administration has taken a softer approach to Pakistan’s electoral process, in contrast to its stance on Bangladesh’s elections. Despite tensions with India, some believe that the potential reelection of Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi could lead to a normalization of relations between the two countries. China remains a crucial ally for Pakistan, providing military assistance and investment through projects like the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Despite the importance of foreign policy, the election campaigns in Pakistan are currently focused on domestic issues such as inflation, unemployment, and growth.
Politicians focus on domestic issues, avoid anti-India rhetoric
