Twitter Can’t Look Away as Imran Khan Set to Sweep Pakistan Polls

Tweeple made sure to add an asterisk to every twist and turn of this nail-biting Pakistan election.

The keenly-watched Pakistan general elections is nearing its end, with Imran Khan all set to become the Prime Minister of the fifth-most populous country in the world.

Amid a controversial election, that saw PML-N accuse Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of rigging the elections, Twitter has become the stage for concerns, celebrations and everything in between.

“Naya Pakistan Zindabad”

Imran Khan’s supporters took over Twitter, hailing the dawn of his promised “new Pakistan”.

Knock knock world 🌎! #JustinTrudeau is now the second coolest #PrimeMinister because #Pakistan has now #PrimeMinisterImranKhan !! ✌🏻#PakistanElection2018 #PakistanElection #PakistanElections #imran @ImranKhanPTI @PTIofficial #Election2018 pic.twitter.com/z2ZZWzVQtA

— Huzefa Haider (@huzefahaider) July 26, 2018

Jam packed Y block signal. Lahoris celebrate New Pakistan. #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/tdv1u5wz05

— Uzair (@uzairbashirr) July 25, 2018

#PTI never won election from Chitral yet @ImranKhanPTI always considered #Chitral on reserved seats.Last time on women's reserved seat & this time minority seat. For the 1st time in #Pakistan's 70-year history, #Kalash community got representation in assembly.
#ShukriyaImranKhan pic.twitter.com/QahVFLWEw1

— Benazir Mir Samad (@BenazirMirSamad) July 26, 2018

Remember before we are left or right, liberal or conservative, nooni or junooni, muhajir or jiyala, civilian or fauji we are all Pakistanis. We are one nation. The election is behind us now, let's as one nation work to making Pakistan great again. Congrats Pakistan.

— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) July 26, 2018

watching everyone celebrate the election in pakistan makes me wish i was there so bad like yes bby we're gonna bhangra our way into a naya pakistan, hopefully one day we'll take all of nawaz sharif/other crooked politicians stolen wealth and redistribute it to the poor

— sukhi (@mairanotmaria2) July 25, 2018

Me watching PTI leading.....✌🏻🇵🇰😍#PakistanElection #AbSirfImranKhan #CongratulationsPTI pic.twitter.com/lxhSDXvoDJ

— گل جانہ👩🏻‍💻 (@guljana_o0) July 26, 2018

Twitter Cries Foul About Military, ECP Intervention

Imran is seen as the Army’s man in Islamabad, and on Election Day (25 July), murmurs about the Election Commission of Pakistan allegedly backing PTI grew louder.

Political opponents alleged that their representatives were kicked out of polling booths while polling was on. Tweeple made sure to add an asterisk to every twist and turn of this election.

The Election Commission of Pakistan spent a record Rs 21 billion on the general election held on July 25 -- and it's a shame that a question mark hangs over its credibility -- and these questions will not go away any time soon

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) July 26, 2018

Election Commission of Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/j1oScbSJCG

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) July 25, 2018

Our military has triumphed and are on the verge of installing a civilian martial law administrator.

— یہ جو افراتفری ہے اسکے پیچھے (@adnan73_siddiqi) July 25, 2018

For the first time Pakistan's election history. polling agents forced out of polling stations while final counting was underway. Most political parties allege that mass scale rigging took place behind closed doors and ballots for PTI stuffed with votes

— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) July 25, 2018

It’s Election Day in Pakistan today, a farcical one at best where no matter who wins, the corrupt Military and Judiciary will rule the roost with the blessings of Mullahs and Islamic terrorists. The only way out is if Nawaz Sharif's PMLN wins and sends the Army back to barracks.

— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) July 25, 2018

This is a coup but not an ordinary military coup. It is a politically engineered coup, executed through pre-poll rigging & late night manipulation of results, facilitated by a heavy presence of security personnel and a toothless Election Commission. #Pakistan

— Yousuf Nazar (@YousufNazar) July 26, 2018

First #election in #Pakistan where everyone in the country and around the world knew the results six months before people actually cast their vote. Nobody is surprised, even many hoped that they would be. What a joke. All parties rejecting results! #Election2018

— Aima Khosa (@aimaMK) July 25, 2018

...But the Observers Gave a Clean Chit

EU mission terms Pakistan's election satisfactory, calls it better than 2013.#ElectionPakistan2018 #ElectionResults #PakistanElections2018 pic.twitter.com/9TaNyCkXLF

— Asfandyar Bhittani 🇵🇰 (@BhittaniKhannnn) July 26, 2018

Role reversal: In 2013, only one party -PTI -questioned the fairness of election results. This time most parties are questioning legitimacy of results that favor PTI. 🤔 #Pakistan #Election2018 #Crisis

— Husain Haqqani (@husainhaqqani) July 25, 2018

This great country needs new leadership. Pakistan is turning a new page. #ECP should not get pressure. Election holding process has never been perfect. Issues remain, they are functional. But do not insult collective wisdom of voters.

— Jan Achakzai (@Jan_Achakzai) July 25, 2018

In Review, and the Rear-view Mirror

Some commentators chose to congratulate Pakistan on holding a successful democratic election, and focused on some positive takeaways from the overall process.

EU termed this Election as Free and Fair

Jeep conspiracy hasn't seen the light of the day

People of Pakistan haven't chosen any Islamic party

KPK has chosen PTI a Historic 2nd time

Women have come out to vote & literally changed the results of Elections#ElectionPakistan2018

— SARK (@sark_10) July 26, 2018

A lot’s been written in the foreign press dismissing Pakistan’s election as a sham. But there are scores of women, grandparents & great grandparents queuing today to cast their vote in the face of news from Quetta. Nobody writes about the resilience of this country or its people.

— Fahd Humayun فہد (@fahdhumayun) July 25, 2018

The best part about this election is that people of Pakistan entirely rejected the likes of Khadim Rizvi and other hate mongering religious extremist forces. #ProgressivePakistan

— Zain Itrat (@ZainItrat) July 25, 2018

Ludhyanvi lost to Bibi Bharwana.
Waqai Naya Pakistan! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JRnruqXVj2

— Rabia Anum Obaid (@RabiaAnumm) July 26, 2018

One advice that #MNS #PMLN will give to #PTI (and one PMLN should have followed too) is this: do not celebrate badly reasoned and legally weak verdicts against your opponents. The culture you perpetuate always comes back to haunt you #Pakistan #AvenfieldReferenceVerdict

— Waqqas Mir (@wordoflaw) July 7, 2018

Aamir, Aajao!

There were also a few Twitter users who remembered Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan’s promise, a few years ago, that he would visit Pakistan if Imran Khan became the PM.

Dear Sir Amir khan @aamir_khan now it’s time to fulfil yours promise please, Imran khan @ImranKhanPTI going to take oath as prime minister of Pakistan Soon Insha Allah #ElectionPakistan2018 pic.twitter.com/TJzS7soJNG

— ISI MY PRIDE 🇵🇰 (@moonkhanpaki) July 26, 2018

@aamir_khan we are waiting for your arrival to pakistan , Imran khan won the elections 2018 with majority . Time to fulfill your promise with @ImranKhanPTI .
Let’s celebrate this victory together 🙂

— arsalan ahmad (@arsalanahmadd) July 26, 2018