As Pakistan grapples with a period of deal-making amid the inconclusive election results, marked by a lack of a clear majority, Independent candidates loyal to former Prime Minister Imran Khan have unexpectedly surged ahead in the final tally, challenging preconceptions.
Both Khan and his primary adversary, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, assert victory, intensifying the power struggle amidst a backdrop of electoral violence and criticized disruptions to mobile phone services, accused of political manipulation.
Meanwhile, evident from the latest reports from Pakistan that Nawaz Sharif pins his hopes on forging a multiparty coalition akin to the 2022 alliance that deposed Khan. However, the shifting dynamics render the future uncertain.
If the judiciary favours PTI-affiliated candidates contesting alleged vote manipulation, Sharif's path to power diminishes significantly. Additionally, potential discord between PMLN and PPP over the prime ministerial candidacy poses a formidable challenge to coalition-building efforts.
The latest electoral standings reveal a fragmented distribution of seats: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) affiliates hold 93 seats, followed by Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) with 71 seats, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) with 53 seats, and other parties securing 29 seats. This lack of a clear majority underlines the necessity of negotiations and alliances to form a stable government.
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