Year of living on the edge

More than politics, the economy became a crucial factor determining the country’s fate in the years ahead.

2023 was another tumultuous year in Pakistan. It saw much uncertainty in the country—about the economy and how its volatile politics will pan out. The question whether general elections would be held on time echoed through the year until the announcement at year end of a firm date and election schedule, with the Supreme Court acting as a “forcing” factor. This put an end to uncertainty about the election date but not how fair, free and inclusive the polls would be.