Immigration
Pakistan | Global election—Pakistan parliamentary election
Summary
In the upcoming Pakistan elections scheduled for February 8, 2024, a total of 128 million registered voters are expected to participate in selecting representatives of the National Assembly (lower house). The incumbent party is the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The election results are anticipated to shape Pakistan’s political landscape amid challenges such as military involvement, economic instability, and a desire for stability among the electorate. While corporate immigration policy is likely to be unaffected, the election results may result in stricter asylum policy, especially towards Afghan asylum seekers.
The detail
There are currently three political parties that have been reported to have the most likelihood of success in this year’s election. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), under the leadership of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, emerges as a clear frontrunner, with perceived support from the military establishment. This party aims to reclaim its voter support base, and international observers expect this party to emerge as the largest in this election.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), founded by former cricketer and politician Imran Khan, currently led by Gohar Ali Khan, faces hurdles but maintains widespread popular support. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, son of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, was the third-largest after the previous election. While international predictions may deem PPP unlikely to win outright, its potential role in a governing alliance has been reported.
What this means
Pakistan’s recent immigration policy reflects the government’s coordinated effort to address security concerns and is unlikely to change following the election.
The government has initiated measures against undocumented immigrants, including Afghan nationals. A strict policy on voluntary departure or potential expulsion has been implemented, involving measures including arrest, detention, and subsequent removal to Afghanistan. However no specific policy measures have been taken yet or are expected to be implemented in respect of corporate immigration, however Vialto Partners continues to monitor the situation closely.
Contact us
Should you require more information, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively the Vialto Partners; global election team:
Sharan Kundi
Global Immigration Leader
Raj Mann
Director, Global Immigration Advisory Lead
Hugo Vijge
Director, Immigration
Marijan Vrhovac
Senior Associate, Immigration
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Contact us on the following address: me-immigration@vialto.com
Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
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Further information on Vialto Partners can be found here: www.vialtopartners.com
Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
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