Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif Declare Victory Amidst Delayed Results in Pakistani Elections
Former Pakistani prime ministers and bitter rivals, Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, have both declared victory in the recent Pakistani elections. However, the results have been marred by delays and militant attacks, throwing the country into further political turmoil. Sharif’s party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), won the most seats by a single party in Thursday’s election. On the other hand, supporters of imprisoned Imran Khan, who ran as independents after his party was barred from the polls, won the most seats overall.
Delayed Results and Militant Attacks
The announcement of the results has been significantly delayed, with more than three-quarters of the 265 seats declared over 24 hours after polling ended. This delay has added to the woes of a country already struggling to recover from an economic crisis and rising militancy in a deeply polarized political environment. The delay has been attributed to the suspension of mobile phone services as a security measure ahead of the election.
Independents Backed by Khan Win Most Seats
The results have shown that independents, most of them backed by Imran Khan, have won the most seats overall. Out of the 245 seats counted by 1830 GMT, independents secured 98 seats. Sharif’s PML-N won 69 seats, while the Pakistan People’s Party of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of assassinated premier Benazir Bhutto, secured 51 seats. The remaining seats were won by small parties and other independents.
Sharif’s Call for Coalition Government
Although Sharif’s party won the most seats by a single party, it failed to secure a clear majority on its own. As a result, Sharif announced that his party would talk to other groups to form a coalition government. He stated, “Pakistan Muslim League is the single-largest party in the country today after the elections and it is our duty to bring this country out of the whirlpool.” Sharif invited other parties and independents to join him in helping the nation recover.
Khan Rejects Sharif’s Claim to Victory
Imran Khan, who is currently in jail, released an audio-visual message through his social media account. In the message, Khan rejected Sharif’s claim to victory and congratulated his supporters on “winning” the election. He urged them to celebrate and protect their vote. Khan argued that Sharif’s claim was invalid because he had won fewer seats and because there had been rigging in the polls.
Challenges for Coalition Government
The delayed announcement of results has raised concerns about policy and political uncertainty in Pakistan. Moody’s Investors Service emphasized the importance of a timely announcement of results to reduce uncertainty, especially as the country faces challenging macroeconomic conditions. Analysts believe that a coalition government will struggle to tackle multiple challenges, including seeking a new bailout program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the current arrangement expires in three weeks.
Fractured Verdict and Potential Instability
The main electoral battle was expected to be between candidates backed by Imran Khan’s PTI and Sharif’s PML-N. Khan believes that the powerful military is behind a crackdown on his party, while analysts and opponents argue that Sharif is being backed by the generals. Analysts predict that a coalition government would likely be unstable and weak, with potential consequences for the military’s reputation. The election was seen as an opportunity to resolve Pakistan’s ongoing crises, but a fractured verdict could lead to even deeper instability.
In conclusion, the Pakistani elections have resulted in victory claims from both Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif. The delayed results and militant attacks have further complicated the political situation in the country. While Sharif’s party won the most seats by a single party, independents backed by Khan secured the most seats overall. Sharif has called for a coalition government, while Khan rejects Sharif’s claim to victory. The challenges facing a coalition government, including seeking an IMF bailout program, raise concerns about stability and uncertainty in Pakistan’s future.
