Past Alliances with Extremists Hold Cautionary Tales for Today's Pakistani Politics
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In the 1970s, some leftists allied with Islamists in the PNA to oppose Bhutto. They later regretted this as it paved the way for Zia's dictatorship.
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When mainstream parties ally with far-right groups, it can unleash anti-democratic forces, as seen in Pakistan and elsewhere.
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After PTI's fall in 2022, other parties are vying for its lost votes in the next election. Some "progressives" support PTI's narrative, hoping to get its votes.
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There are similarities between progressives allying with PTI and leftists allying with PNA in the past - both chased votes by aligning with questionable groups.
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If Khan remains barred from the 2024 election, the votes his supporters seek may not materialize, leaving them with followers but no actual votes.