International Desk, Feb: In a bid to form a united government amidst a fractured mandate, Nawaz Sharif, the candidate for premiership from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has reached out to former allies including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F). Unofficial results indicate independent candidates, largely backed by former PM Imran Khan, leading with 87 seats out of 204, followed by PML-N at 60 seats and PPP at 45 seats.
Nawaz Sharif, addressing supporters in Lahore, claimed victory for the PML-N in the February 8 general election against the backdrop of economic challenges and the political crisis following Imran Khan’s ouster. He emphasized the need for cooperation among all parties to steer Pakistan out of its current crisis and hinted at the formation of a ‘unity government’.
Expressing the collective responsibility to address Pakistan’s challenges, Sharif stated, “Pakistan needed at least 10 years of stability.” Despite PTI-backed candidates leading with more than 100 seats, PML-N leaders remain confident of securing a majority and forming the central government.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released provisional results for 120 out of 266 seats in the National Assembly. PTI-backed independent candidates lead with 52 seats, followed by PML-N with 40 seats and PPP with 19 seats. It’s worth noting that Imran Khan was disqualified from contesting the elections due to criminal convictions, leading PTI leaders and supporters to contest as independent candidates.
As negotiations for coalition-building unfold, the political landscape in Pakistan continues to evolve. Stay tuned for further updates on the formation of the government and its implications for the country’s future.
