Tens of millions of Pakistanis are preparing to elect a new parliament and prime minister tomorrow (Wednesday, July 25), in an election campaign marked by deadly attacks on candidates and campaign rallies that have killed 150 people (including three candidates), increasing numbers of Islamist extremist candidates vying for seats, and accusations of election meddling by the military.
Radio Mashaal, RFE/RL's Pashto-language service for the northwest Pakistan border regions with Afghanistan, has provided its audience with comprehensive coverage of the election campaign, that included one-hour broadcasts of live debates among candidates seeking to represent the people of the tribal regions.
RFE/RL experts are available to comment, before, during and after the election:
- Daud Khattak, Senior Editor, Radio Mashaal (in Prague; English, Urdu, Pashto)
KhanD@rferl.org; +420.221.122.909; Twitter: @daudkhattak1
READ: Pakistan’s Election: Unique for All the Wrong Reasons
- Amin Mudaqiq, Director, Radio Mashaal (in Prague; English, Pashto, Dari)
MudaqiqA@rferl.org; +420.221.123.217; Twitter: @Mashaalradio
To schedule an interview with any of RFE/RL's experts, contact Muhammad Tahir (tahirm@rferl.org; +1.202.740.0603) or Martin Zvaners (zvanersm@rferl.org; +1.202.457.6948) in Washington