In an effort to preserve order on the day of national parliamentary elections, the Pakistani government suspended cell phone services throughout Pakistan.
Pakistan held its general elections on February 8th, 2024.
The election was marred by violence and allegations of electoral misconduct.
Pakistan held its general elections on February 8th, 2024. The election was marred by violence and allegations of electoral misconduct. In an effort to preserve order on the day of national parliamentary elections, the Pakistani government suspended cell phone services throughout Pakistan. At least seven security officers were killed in two separate attacks targeting security put in place for election day.
Polls closed across Pakistan after millions voted in an election mired in controversy
Old dynasties vied for power while the country's widely popular former leader languishes behind bars.
The much-anticipated election comes as the country faces mounting challenges from economic uncertainty and frequent militant attacks, to climate catastrophes that are putting its most vulnerable at risk.
30 people were killed in twin blasts targeting campaign offices in Balochistan province on Wednesday, which Islamic State Pakistan Province claimed responsibility for.
Pakistan had been on high alert due to concerns regarding security on election day, with 650,000 security personnel deployed nationwide to ensure the safety of voters.
Military personnel and civil armed forces were deployed at approximately 6,000 selected most sensitive polling stations.
Taliban militants had taken over polling stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province according to Mohsin Dawar, a former member of the Pakistan National Assembly.
Militants have been issuing threats to locals and polling staff in several provinces including Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan's Interior Ministry suspended mobile internet services nationwide as elections were ongoing due to concerns regarding security on election day, which was condemned by some activists.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Amnesty International also condemned the suspension of internet and cellular services.
Pakistan will temporarily close its border crossings with Iran and Afghanistan as a security measure for elections.
Political tensions are running high amid accusations of interference by the military, which it denies.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged authorities to ensure a fully free and fair vote in Pakistan's election.
Analysts have described the vote as the least credible in Pakistan's post-independence history due to pre-poll rigging accusations.
Former cricket star Imran Khan, who was ousted from power, remains imprisoned on multiple convictions and banned from contesting the vote against his rivals.
Veteran politician Nawaz Sharif is seeking a historic fourth term as leader in what would be a remarkable political comeback following years of self-exile overseas after he was sentenced to prison on corruption charges.
Sharif remains widely popular in Pakistan's Punjab province, where his Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) party has been lauded for advancing mega infrastructural projects.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the election was mired in controversy but does not provide any evidence to support this claim. Secondly, it quotes sources who are biased and have a vested interest in the outcome of the election. Thirdly, it presents one-sided reporting by only mentioning old dynasties vying for power while ignoring other political parties that also participated in the election. Fourthly, it uses sensationalism to create fear among readers without providing any concrete evidence of violence or security threats.
The article states that the election was mired in controversy but does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Pakistan Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry without providing any evidence or context for their claims. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of violence in the run-up to the election as both being widespread and limited to specific provinces (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan). The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing some activists' accusations against authorities as 'political in nature'.
The Pakistan Armed Forces said 51 terrorist attacks took place in the country throughout the election season, mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, but “many potential threats were neutralized.”
Militants have been issuing threats to the locals and to the polling staff,
Bias
(85%)
The article contains several examples of bias. Firstly, the author uses loaded language when describing the violence that marred several polling stations on election day as 'surging political violence'. This is a clear attempt to demonize one side and make it seem like they are responsible for all the negative events in Pakistan. Secondly, there is an example of religious bias when referring to Imran Khan's ouster from power as a storm of controversy. The author implies that his removal was not justified or fair, which could be seen as biased towards him and against those who removed him. Thirdly, the article contains examples of monetary bias when mentioning the country's economic uncertainty and frequent militant attacks. This is an attempt to make it seem like Pakistan is in a bad state because of its economy and security issues, which could be seen as biased towards those who are against these policies or initiatives.
country's economic uncertainty
storm of controversy
surging political violence
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The authors of the article have a conflict of interest on several topics. They are both members of political dynasties and report on former leaders Nawaz Sharif and Bhutto Zardari.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Pakistan and election as they are reporting for CNN which is based in Islamabad, Pakistan. The article also mentions Nawaz Sharif and Bhutto Zardari who are former leaders of Pakistan.
Pakistan's 2024 election takes place amid deadly violence and allegations of electoral misconduct
The Pakistani government suspended cell phone services to preserve order on the day of national parliamentary elections
At least seven security officers were killed in two separate attacks targeting security put in place for election day
Accuracy
Old dynasties vied for power while the country's widely popular former leader languishes behind bars.
The much-anticipated election comes as the country faces mounting challenges from economic uncertainty and frequent militant attacks, to climate catastrophes that are putting its most vulnerable at risk.
30 people were killed in twin blasts targeting campaign offices in Balochistan province on Wednesday, which Islamic State Pakistan Province claimed responsibility for.
Pakistan had been on high alert due to concerns regarding security on election day, with 650,000 security personnel deployed nationwide to ensure the safety of voters.
Military personnel and civil armed forces were deployed at approximately 6,000 selected most sensitive polling stations.
Taliban militants had taken over polling stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province according to Mohsin Dawar, a former member of the Pakistan National Assembly.
Militants have been issuing threats to locals and polling staff in several provinces including Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan's Interior Ministry suspended mobile internet services nationwide as elections were ongoing due to concerns regarding security on election day, which was condemned by some activists.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Amnesty International also condemned the suspension of internet and cellular services.
Pakistan will temporarily close its border crossings with Iran and Afghanistan as a security measure for elections.
Political tensions are running high amid accusations of interference by the military, which it denies.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged authorities to ensure a fully free and fair vote in Pakistan's election.
Analysts have described the vote as the least credible in Pakistan's post-independence history due to pre-poll rigging accusations.
Former cricket star Imran Khan, who was ousted from power, remains imprisoned on multiple convictions and banned from contesting the vote against his rivals.
Veteran politician Nawaz Sharif is seeking a historic fourth term as leader in what would be a remarkable political comeback following years of self-exile overseas after he was sentenced to prison on corruption charges.
Sharif remains widely popular in Pakistan's Punjab province, where his Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) party has been lauded for advancing mega infrastructural projects.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that there were allegations of electoral misconduct but does not provide any evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author states that security personnel were killed in two separate attacks targeting election day but fails to mention how many people died or who was responsible for these attacks. Thirdly, the article implies that Nawaz Sharif is considered a military favorite candidate and will win due to his absence on the ballot of Imran Khan, without providing any evidence to support this claim.
The article implies that Nawaz Sharif is considered a military favorite candidate and will win due to the absence on the ballot of Imran Khan, without providing any evidence.
The author claims there were allegations of electoral misconduct but does not provide any evidence.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the powerful military commanders are pulling the strings behind the government and election process. This is not supported by any evidence presented in the article. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of Imran Khan as being falsely accused and politically motivated while Nawaz Sharif is considered to be favored by the military due to his absence on the ballot.
The author uses an appeal to authority when he states that 'the powerful military commanders are pulling the strings behind the government and election process'.
There is a dichotomous depiction of Imran Khan as being falsely accused and politically motivated while Nawaz Sharif is considered to be favored by the military due to his absence on the ballot.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable by referring to the 'powerful military commanders' pulling the strings behind the government. Additionally, there is a disproportionate number of quotes from security personnel who were killed in attacks targeting politicians on election day.
The Pakistani government suspended cell phone services, citing a need to preserve order with unrest widely anticipated.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Imtiaz Tyab has conflicts of interest on the topics of Pakistan, election, violence and electoral misconduct. He also has a personal relationship with Nawaz Sharif as he is an investigative journalist who covered his trial in London.
Pakistan's general elections are taking place with Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto and Imran Khan's PTI competing to lead the country for the next five years.
The election is being marred by violence.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that there were no incidents of violence during the elections when in fact it mentions 'polls marred by violence' later on. Secondly, the body states that Imran Khan was competing to lead Pakistan for five years but he has been disqualified from running due to corruption charges and is currently serving a sentence.
The body states that Imran Khan was competing to lead Pakistan for five years but he has been disqualified from running due to corruption charges and is currently serving a sentence.
The title implies that there were no incidents of violence during the elections when in fact it mentions 'polls marred by violence' later on.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Pakistan's general elections are being held today without providing any evidence or context for this claim. Secondly, the author commits a false dilemma by presenting Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto and Imran Khan as the only options for leading Pakistan when there may be other candidates running in these elections. Thirdly, the article contains inflammatory rhetoric with phrases such as
Bias
(75%)
The article has a moderate level of bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes Imran Khan by referring to him as being in jail and not able to participate in the election. Additionally, there is no mention or discussion about Nawaz Sharif's corruption charges which could be seen as an example of religious bias.
Pakistan’s general elections sees Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto and Imran Khan’s PTI competing to lead the crisis-ridden South Asian nation for the next five years.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article has multiple examples of conflicts of interest. The author is affiliated with a political party (PTI) that one of the topics relates to.
Faras Ghani and Usaid Siddiqui are both members of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which is a political party in Pakistan. The article discusses the PTI, including its leader Imran Khan.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Pakistan election 2024 as they are reporting for Al Jazeera which is known to have political leanings and may not report objectively.
. The decision to suspend telecommunications and mobile internet services on an election day is a blunt attack on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
. Amnesty International urged Pakistan authorities to urgently lift blanket restrictions on access to the internet.
Unwarranted restrictions on information dissemination are in breach of people's human rights at this critical time in Pakistan.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards Amnesty International's perspective on the suspension of mobile internet services in Pakistan during general elections. The author uses quotes from Amnesty International to support their argument that it is a blunt attack on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Additionally, the author does not provide any counter-arguments or perspectives from other sources.
Amnesty International described Pakistan's decision to suspend mobile internet services as a
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article reports on the suspension of internet access in Pakistan and Amnesty International's criticism of this action. The author is an interim deputy director for South Asia at Amnesty International based in Islamabad.
