The decision, which was encouraged by Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, came three days before the end of the parliamentary term on august 12th.
A caretaker administration, to be chosen by Sharif and an opposition leader, will oversee the new elections in the next 90 days. The election commission’s task of redrawing hundreds of constituencies based on a new census might delay the vote, a situation that could increase public unrest and uncertainty in the country.
The political landscape has been turbulent since the removal and subsequent conviction of former prime minister Imran Khan on corruption charges, which led to his disqualification from participating in elections for five years. Khan claims the military, known for its periodic rule since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, orchestrated his removal, a charge the military denies.
