Main article: Long March (Pakistan)
In mid-January, Sufi cleric Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri led a Long March from Lahore to Islamabad, which is over 350 km, demanding electoral reforms, the quick dissolution of the National Assembly and a precise date for the election. The march attracted about 60,000 individuals from across Pakistan and ended peacefully. However, this appeared to have little impact on the government who continued on as per normal, and were seemingly following their plan as to when to announce elections.
In the run up to the elections, a US Congressional report provided a brief overview of the current Pakistani government between 2008 to 2013. The annual report included the input of 16 US intelligence agencies, including the CIA. The report pointed out the policies and performance of the current government during their five-year tenure. The report warned that “Economically, trouble looms. Pakistan, with its small tax base, poor system of tax collection, and reliance on foreign aid, faces no real prospects for sustainable economic growth. The government has been unwilling to address economic problems that continue to constrain economic growth. The government has made no real effort to persuade its disparate coalition members to accept much-needed policy and tax reforms, because members are simply focused on retaining their seats in the upcoming elections.”[16]
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