Pakistan Prepares for Crucial 2024 Elections Amid Frozen Ties with India

As Pakistan wraps up 2023 with strained bilateral relations with India over the Kashmir issue, there is a faint glimmer of hope for a thaw if Nawaz Sharif secures a historic fourth term as Prime Minister in the upcoming general elections in February. The year witnessed a visit to India by then-foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in May, but it failed to mend ties.

Pakistan’s recent recalibration in Afghanistan, with its gamble on the Taliban backfiring, could influence its regional stance. Meanwhile, Sharif’s potential return to power is seen as a chance for improved relations with India, given his past advocacy for better ties. However, challenges persist, including ongoing security concerns, economic struggles, and a rise in militant activities.