By: Faheem Anwar
ISLAMABAD: In the recently held 2024 General Elections, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JI-P) came out as a formidable political entity, garnering notable support from voters across the nation. With a total of 1.34 million votes, JI-P secured the position of the 3rd most popular religious party, trailing behind Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam F (JUI-F). JI-P also clinched the 6th spot in overall popularity, capturing 2.3% of the national vote share.
A breakdown of JI-P’s performance reveals its strong presence across all provinces. Notably, the party received the highest number of votes in Sindh, with 0.51 million ballots cast in its favor, representing 38.4% of its total votes nationwide. In Punjab, JI-P secured 0.43 million votes (32.5%), while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), it garnered 0.35 million votes (26.4%). Additionally, JI-P made strides in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Balochistan, securing an equal proportion of votes in each region.
Highlighting its regional stronghold, JI-P dominated the electoral landscape in Karachi Division, Sindh, clinching a staggering 0.45 million votes. Conversely, Zhob Division in Balochistan witnessed the lowest turnout for JI-P, with a total of 309 votes.
A significant aspect of JI-P’s electoral success lies in its collaborative efforts with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam F (JUI-F). Together, the two parties amassed a combined vote bank of 3.5 million votes, constituting 6% of the national vote share. This marks a substantial increase compared to the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) alliance in the 2018 General Elections, underscoring the growing influence of religious parties in Pakistani politics.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), JI-P and JUI-F demonstrated remarkable performance, securing 1.6 million votes collectively, which accounted for 20% of the provincial vote share. This achievement signifies a significant improvement from the MMA’s performance in KP during the previous elections, reflecting a surge in support for religious parties in the region.
Notably, JI-P’s prowess was most pronounced in the Karachi Division, where it got a notable 13% vote share, emerging as the leading religious party in the area and solidifying its position as a key player in Pakistani politics.
Overall, JI-P’s performance in the 2024 General Elections underscores its growing popularity and influence, signaling a shifting political landscape characterized by heightened support for religious parties across various regions of Pakistan.