Independent Candidates Backed by Imran Khan’s PTI Party Lead in Pakistan’s General Election
In a surprising turn of events, independent candidates supported by the PTI party, led by jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan, have emerged as the front-runners in Pakistan’s general election. The final results reveal that independents have secured 101 seats in the National Assembly, with 93 of them being PTI-backed candidates. This puts them ahead of Nawaz Sharif’s PMLN, who won 75 seats. However, it remains uncertain who will ultimately form the government.
The outcome of the election has sparked controversy, with independent candidates who did not win their seats flooding the courts with allegations of vote-rigging. Both the PTI and PMLN have expressed their desire to govern the country. This unexpected result has surprised many observers who had anticipated a victory for Nawaz Sharif’s party, given its perceived support from the powerful military. Imran Khan’s imprisonment on corruption charges and his party’s exclusion from the ballot sheet further added to the surprise.
To form a government, a candidate must demonstrate that they have a simple majority of 169 seats in the National Assembly. Bilawal Bhutto from the PPP, which received the third-largest number of votes, has stated that they have not engaged in any formal discussions with Imran Khan’s PTI or Nawaz Sharif’s PMLN. However, the PMLN has revealed that Mr. Bhutto’s father had an informal meeting with Mr. Sharif’s brother in Lahore. The MQM party, based in Karachi, has also made a surprising comeback in the polls, winning 17 seats and potentially playing a role in any coalition.
Out of the National Assembly’s 366 seats, 266 are determined through direct voting, while 70 are reserved for women and non-Muslims, allocated based on each party’s strength in the assembly. According to Pakistan’s rules, independent candidates are not eligible for reserved seats in parliament.
The anticipation of protests following the election results led to the blocking of streets near the electoral commission building in Rawalpindi by the police. Authorities in Islamabad also warned of action against demonstrators. The PTI’s chairman had called for peaceful protests outside electoral commission offices due to concerns of “forged” results. On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif, who is believed to have the military’s favor, has called for other parties to assist him in forming a unity government.
Experts have raised concerns about Pakistan potentially entering a prolonged period of political instability. Dr. Farzana Shaikh from the Chatham House think tank expressed doubts about the Khan-linked independents being allowed to form a government. Many fear that a tie-up between Mr. Sharif and the PPP would result in a weak and unstable coalition.
In response to the election outcome, at least six PTI-backed candidates who did not win their seats have filed legal challenges in court, seeking to overturn the results. Among them is Yasmin Rashid, who contested against Mr. Sharif in Lahore. The petitioners allege collusion in the alteration of election results on specific forms. Pakistani officials have denied any irregularities.
The general election in Pakistan has undoubtedly shaken the political landscape, with independent candidates supported by Imran Khan’s PTI party emerging as the leading force. As the nation waits for the formation of a government, the future remains uncertain, and concerns about political stability loom large.
