Pakistan’s recent general elections have seen independent candidates, largely supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) led by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, secure the most seats, winning 101 out of 265 contested seats in the National Assembly. This outcome has sparked nationwide protests by PTI workers, alleging electoral irregularities. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced results for 264 seats, withholding NA 88 in Khushab due to fraud complaints. PTI’s closest rival is the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), securing 75 seats, followed by the Pakistan Peoples Party with 54 seats.

In the context of the violent and contentious elections, Imran Khan’s supporters ran as independents due to restrictions on contesting under PTI’s symbol. Despite Khan’s imprisonment and the electoral ban, millions of his followers participated, emphasizing continued popular support. PTI, despite being second in the seat count, remains influential as the single largest party in Parliament.

To form a government, a party needs 133 seats, with a total of 169 seats required for a simple majority in the National Assembly, including reserved slots for women and minorities. In Punjab, where 296 seats were contested, independents claimed 138 seats, closely trailed by PML-N with 137, while other parties secured 21. In Sindh’s 130 contested seats, results for 129 were announced, with one constituency facing a re-poll due to corruption allegations. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, with 113 seats available, results for 112 were declared, and one outcome is pending.

While PTI workers initially called for general protests, emphasizing concerns about “forged” results, they later specified targeted demonstrations at select electoral offices. The overall election results, marked by allegations of fraud, underscore a complex political landscape as Pakistan navigates potential coalition-building scenarios.

By : Kruthiga V S

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