The final results of Pakistan’s general election have revealed that independent candidates supported by ex-PM Imran Khan’s PTI party are leading. This unexpected outcome has significant implications for the future of Pakistan’s government and political stability. The lead of the PTI-backed candidates over ex-PM Nawaz Sharif’s PMLN party in the National Assembly seats raises questions about who will form the government. As the wrangling continues, candidates who lost the election have flooded the courts with allegations of vote-rigging, adding further complexity to the situation.
The surprise victory of PTI-backed candidates is in contrast to expectations that Nawaz Sharif’s party, backed by the powerful military, would win. Imran Khan himself faced multiple charges, including corruption and illegal marriage, leading to his imprisonment and his party being barred from the ballot sheet. Therefore, the current results indicate a shift in the political landscape of Pakistan.
To form a government, a candidate must demonstrate a simple majority of 169 seats in the National Assembly. While both the PTI and PMLN express their intentions to form the next government, no formal discussions have taken place between PTI and PPP, the party with the third-largest number of votes. However, informal meetings have been reported between PMLN’s representatives and PPP’s leadership, indicating a possible coalition.
The reemergence of the MQM party, winning 17 seats, also adds complexity to the potential coalition formation. With 266 seats decided by direct voting and 70 reserved, the allocation depends on the strength of each party. Independent candidates are not eligible to be allocated reserved seats, following Pakistan’s rules. This further emphasizes the need for alliances to secure a majority.
The election results have already sparked tensions and anticipation of protests. Police presence has been increased around the electoral commission building in Rawalpindi, and authorities in Islamabad have warned of action against demonstrators. The PTI’s chairman has called for peaceful protests due to concerns about “forged” results. On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif, who is believed to be favored by the military, called for other parties to support the formation of a unity government.
Experts warn that Pakistan may face a prolonged period of political instability as a result of the election outcome. The PTI-backed independents are unlikely to be allowed to form a government, and the potential coalition between Sharif and PPP is anticipated to be weak and unstable. This uncertainty creates challenges and raises concerns about effective governance in the country.
In response to the election outcome, several PTI-backed candidates have filed legal challenges in an attempt to overturn the results. Allegations of collusion in altering election results on specific forms have been raised. However, Pakistani officials have denied any irregularities, which further complicates the situation.
Overall, the shift in power with Imran Khan-backed candidates leading in the election results has significant consequences for Pakistan’s government formation, political stability, and effective governance. The ongoing wrangling, court challenges, and uncertainty surrounding potential alliances paint a complex picture of Pakistan’s future political landscape.
