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Supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party attend a rally ahead of the general elections in Karachi, Pakistan, 14 January 2024. Pakistan's Supreme Court on 13 January rejected the attempt by former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party to retain its traditional electoral symbol of a cricket bat. The latest setback for the jailed leader ahead of the general election. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has been at odds with powerful army generals and alleges a military-backed crackdown to keep it out of the election race. With the symbol stripped, PTI candidates will need to use individual symbols to contest the election, potentially confusing voters, especially in rural areas with low literacy rates. The election campaign has been lackluster and uncertain, with Imran Khan disqualified from contesting, while his main rival, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, has been cleared of all court cases and a lifetime ban, positioning him as the frontrunner with alleged military support. The army said that it is apolitical. (Photo by Shahzaib Akber/EPA/EFE)
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