Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and members of other political parties blocked the country’s key highways and began a day-long strike to protest alleged voter fraud in last week’s election. “France 24” informs about it.
Candidates backed by Khan have won more seats in parliament than the political parties that ousted him nearly two years ago, according to the final figures released.
However, no party has won a majority, so they will have to negotiate to form a coalition government. The new parliament will elect the next prime minister of the country.
The vote was marred by allegations of vote-rigging, an unprecedented shutdown of mobile phones and the exclusion of Khan and his political force, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. Those nominated by the party were forced to appear as independent candidates. Dozens of Khan’s supporters were briefly arrested during the protests in Lahore. Khan was unable to participate in the election because of criminal convictions against him, which he said were politically motivated. Pro-Khan candidates secured 101 of the 266 seats in the lower house of parliament.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party, led by three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is convicted of corruption, secured 75 of the seats.
Sharif is currently in talks with allies to form a coalition government.
The Pakistan People’s Party came third with 54 seats. The campaign to oust Khan in 2022 was led by the Muslim League and the Pakistan People’s Party.
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