Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI and Nawaz Sharif’s PMLN have claimed back-to-back victories in Pakistan’s general elections. PTI claims that its candidates have won the maximum number of seats. And Nawaz Sharif is claiming that the single biggest party is PMLN. It is not yet clear who will form the government in such a situation.
According to Geo News, private results for 251 out of 266 National Assembly seats have been announced as of 11:00 PM Bangladesh time on Friday. Of these, Imran Khan-backed independents won 101 seats, Nawaz’s PML-N won 70 seats and Bilawal Bhutto’s PPP won 51 seats. 134 out of 266 seats are required to form the government in Pakistan. As a result, no single party could win a majority. A few constituencies are yet to be declared but winning them will not result in a majority.
The largest single party claims Nawaz’s ‘victory speech’
PMLN leader Nawaz Sharif, the three-time prime minister of Pakistan, delivered a ‘victory speech’ to his supporters claiming victory as the single largest party in the election. PML-N is the single largest party in the country after the polls. It is the responsibility of his party to get the country out of crisis. Our only agenda is prosperous Pakistan.
The former prime minister admitted that his party PML-N alone could not win the necessary seats to form the government. He will invite other parties to form coalition government. He wants to change Pakistan and sit in the light of harmony with other parties.
PTI claims the highest seats for Imran-backed independents
Leaders of Imran Khan’s PTI party have rejected Nawaz’s claim. Leader of the party, Asad Qaiser, said that PTI supporters got the maximum number of seats at the centre. PMLN leader has no right to give victory speech.
The former Speaker of the National Assembly said that according to the results published by the Election Commission of Pakistan, PTI is the largest party. People rejected PMLN and chose Imran Khan. The results of rigged elections have been altered. They remain on top despite the state machinery being used against them.
Asad Qaiser said his party is considering various options to form the government and will reach a decision tomorrow. Center and trying to form our government in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We have a meeting and are trying to negotiate with Imran Khan. Then we will decide.
He also said that we are seriously considering the election within the party. Will also go to court. Let’s see what suits us.
Party spokesperson Rauf Hasan said the PTI managed to secure a moral victory in rigged elections despite political manipulation to keep their party away from the government.
He said, we have won the election. They may try to take it away from us through trickery. But we secured a moral victory.
He also mentioned going to the tribunal court and high court on the issue of vote rigging.
Can PTI form the government?
According to Dawn, despite PTI’s success in the polls, the party faces several challenges. There have been cases of confiscation of party symbols by the Election Commission and jailing of leaders at various levels from the top.
This means that even if they get the maximum number of seats, they may not be able to form the government. Because as independent they will not get minority seat share.
What is the alternative in front of Imran’s team?
In this regard, Pakistani journalist Usatullah Khan said, earlier during the time of General Ziaul Haque, the entire parliament was made up of independents. In 1985 there were non-partisan elections. No party allowed their candidates to participate in the elections. Voting was done individually. Although all had some party support, on paper they were independent.
He said that the winners came to the parliament and named the party Pakistan Muslim League. Which is now known as PML-N and PML-Q. Earlier it was also known as Chatta League.
Independent candidates supported by Imran can claim themselves PTI members?
In this regard, journalist Zarar Khuro said that he does not see the possibility of such a thing. Judging by the recent moves against Imran Khan and his party, I don’t think PTI will get any miraculous relief anytime soon. Notwithstanding anything contained in law.
However, lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaffery is somewhat optimistic. He says that ECP has not canceled PTI’s registration even though it has taken away the election symbol. Legally PTI exists as a political party. Even though the party’s candidates could not fight on one symbol in all the constituencies, its existence as a political party was not affected. The party did not disappear.
Can PMLN form a government with independents?
Journalist Zarar Khuro says, many will want to come with them. I don’t want to comment on all the individuals. The situation will vary from region to region. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, defectors will face a very harsh public response. The situation may be different in south Punjab. PMLN may get support from some independent winners here.
Will PTI-backed independent winners elect the Prime Minister from among themselves?
According to journalist Shahjib Jilani, individual winners will be given three days after the election results are announced. During this period they can decide whether to join a group in one way, or join a group in groups.
According to him, PTI-backed independent candidates will have to join an existing political party if they become the largest group in Parliament. The name being heard is Majlish Wahdat-e-Muslimin (MWM). This is already a registered group. If they join it they will also get share of reserved seats. They can then nominate one of their own candidates to become the leader of the parliament.
Will PTI-backed independent winners elect opposition leaders from among themselves?
Jilani says, to do so, they have to join a political party. If they join an existing party and are outnumbered, they will definitely want to elect the leader of parliament. If they are unable to do so for any reason, then they will have the opportunity to elect the leader of the opposition.
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