Hafiz Mudassir Rizwan

As 2024 draws to a close, Pakistan stands at a critical crossroads, deeply entangled in a complex web of political, economic, and security challenges. The year has been marked by divisive political maneuvering, widespread protests, legal upheavals, and growing security threats, all of which have added to the nation’s sense of uncertainty. The struggles faced by Pakistan in 2024 were compounded by key diplomatic tensions, volatile internal politics, terrorist attacks, and ongoing economic strife. Let’s take a closer look at the major political incidents of this turbulent year, highlighting both the major events covered in earlier articles and key issues that continue to shape the country’s future.

Diplomatic Tensions: Pakistan’s Strained Relations with Neighbors

2024 was a year of heightened diplomatic tension for Pakistan, especially with its western neighbors, Iran and Afghanistan. On January 17, an Iranian missile strike in Balochistan triggered a major diplomatic dispute, with Pakistan condemning the attack as a violation of its sovereignty. Iran had claimed the strike targeted terrorist camps, but the impact on Pakistani soil led to the recall of Pakistan’s ambassador. This was followed by retaliatory airstrikes from Pakistan, intensifying the strain between the two countries. While diplomatic channels remained open, the missile strike exacerbated Pakistan’s concerns over cross-border terrorism and foreign intervention in its internal affairs.

Relations with Afghanistan also worsened in December 2024 as militant groups launched attacks from Afghan territory, particularly targeting Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. In retaliation, Pakistani fighter jets targeted alleged Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. This marked a dangerous escalation in tensions between the two nations, as Pakistan reiterated its concern over the use of Afghan soil for cross-border attacks. The situation remains precarious as both nations struggle to contain growing insurgencies and address security concerns.

Political Turmoil: Elections, Protests, and Judicial Battles

The year 2024 witnessed political instability, with significant events surrounding elections, government formation, and judicial decisions. The general elections on February 8, 2024, were hailed as the largest in the country’s history but were marred by delays in the announcement of results, security concerns, and widespread internet shutdowns. While Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, emerged as the largest party, it was unable to secure a majority. This led to the formation of a coalition government by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and other smaller parties. The delay in results and allegations of election rigging sparked widespread protests, with PTI supporters and opposition parties challenging the legitimacy of the electoral process.

Shehbaz Sharif was re-elected as Prime Minister on March 3, 2024, after defeating PTI’s Omar Ayub. Despite PTI winning the most seats, the lack of a clear majority led to a power-sharing agreement with the opposition. However, political instability was further fueled by a series of judicial decisions that had a lasting impact on the country’s political landscape. In a landmark ruling on March 6, the Supreme Court declared that former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had not received a fair trial before his execution in 1979, reopening old wounds from Pakistan’s turbulent political history.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s PTI faced ongoing legal challenges. In January, Khan and his ally Shah Mahmood Qureshi were convicted in the controversial cipher case, resulting in prison sentences. These legal setbacks effectively barred Khan from contesting the elections and gave his political opponents a significant edge. However, in a dramatic turn of events, the Islamabad High Court overturned Khan’s conviction in June, although he faced re-arrest shortly thereafter in another corruption case. The political and judicial wrangling that defined 2024 reflects a nation divided along political lines, with legal battles often overshadowing policy debates.

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Economic Struggles and Internet Freedom Issues

Pakistan’s economic challenges have been exacerbated by political instability and security concerns. In 2024, Pakistan’s economy faced major setbacks, with inflation soaring, unemployment rising, and a widening fiscal deficit. Economic recovery was hampered by political uncertainty, as businesses struggled to operate amidst frequent disruptions caused by protests, internet shutdowns, and security risks. These challenges had a direct impact on Pakistan’s digital economy. Internet and mobile services were repeatedly suspended during key political events, such as the election day and PTI-led protests, severely impacting businesses that rely on digital infrastructure. The IT sector reported significant losses due to these disruptions, with an hour of internet outage costing Pakistan millions of dollars.

The growing restrictions on internet access, particularly social media and messaging services, further stifled economic activity. Pakistan’s digital economy was also hindered by increasing government control over online platforms, leading to a decline in internet freedom. According to Freedom House, Pakistan’s internet freedom score of 27 out of 100 places it behind regional competitors like India and Bangladesh. The government’s crackdown on “illegal” VPNs and attempts to control the digital space only worsened the situation, prompting growing public frustration.

Escalating Security Threats and Terrorist Attacks

Pakistan also faced a surge in terrorist violence in 2024, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Militants launched deadly attacks throughout the year, targeting civilians, military personnel, and law enforcement officers. In August, a terrorist attack in Balochistan claimed the lives of over 50 people, including passengers on buses and security forces. The violence spread to major urban centers, including Karachi, where a suicide bomber targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers, killing three and injuring several others. The attack on October 6 highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to extremist threats, especially with the involvement of Chinese nationals, as Pakistan remains a key partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

In addition to these terrorist attacks, internal conflicts such as the Kurram massacre in December 2024 added to the nation’s security concerns. Clashes between rival tribal groups over land disputes led to the deaths of more than 130 people. This was further compounded by the breakdown of law and order, particularly in the Kurram region, where shortages of food and medicine escalated the humanitarian crisis.

Political Crisis and Protests Intensify

The year also saw a dramatic escalation in protests, primarily led by PTI and opposition parties like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F). These demonstrations were sparked by allegations of election rigging, calls for the repeal of constitutional amendments, and demands for the release of political prisoners. In February, JUI-F organized a massive protest in Karachi, which was joined by PTI, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA). Clashes with law enforcement escalated quickly, leading to arrests and heightened public unrest. Throughout 2024, PTI continued to lead protests in cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi, with frequent clashes between protesters and the police.

A particularly volatile moment occurred in November, when PTI’s long march to Islamabad led to a partial shutdown of the capital, causing significant economic and security disruptions. The police used tear gas and other measures to disperse the crowds, but the protests continued, underscoring the deep political divisions within the country.

Conclusion: A Year of Political and Social Turmoil

As Pakistan closes the chapter on 2024, the nation faces a challenging road ahead. Political instability, escalating security concerns, and a fragile economy all point to a year of continued turbulence. While the ruling coalition has sought to negotiate with opposition parties to ease tensions, the underlying issues of governance, legal reform, and economic recovery remain unresolved. The year has undoubtedly tested Pakistan’s resilience, and as the country looks ahead to 2025, it will need to confront these challenges head-on to secure a more stable and prosperous future. The hope is that in the coming year, Pakistan can achieve political stability and economic growth, with a renewed focus on addressing the needs and aspirations of its citizens.