In a surprising turn of events, independent candidates affiliated with jailed Pakistani political leader Imran Khan PTI party have emerged victorious in Pakistan’s general election, securing the most seats in the National Assembly. The Election Commission of Pakistan reports that these independent candidates have won 98 seats so far, with 22 seats yet to be decided. Most of these independent winners have ties to Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz party (PMLN), previously expected to dominate the polls, has secured the second-highest number of seats with 69, while the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) comes in third with 51 seats.
Despite the remaining 22 seats, neither PMLN, led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, nor PPP will be able to secure a majority in parliament on their own. This leaves uncertainty about who will be chosen as the next prime minister of Pakistan.
In a speech released via AI-generated voice on Friday, Khan celebrated the election victory and urged his supporters to stand firm in safeguarding their votes. Khan, who has been in jail since August, has been using AI technology to communicate with his supporters.
The election process has been marred by violence and allegations of rigging. Two bomb blasts occurred outside the offices of election candidates in southwestern Pakistan on February 7, resulting in the deaths of at least 24 people. Security measures were heightened, with over half a million security officers deployed across the country.
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Khan’s opponent, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, acknowledged his party’s inability to secure a majority and expressed willingness to form a coalition government. Analysts believe Sharif is favored by the military establishment, although the military denies backing him.
The election saw protests erupt over allegations of vote rigging and delays in announcing results. Concerns have been raised about the lack of transparency in the electoral process.
International governments, including the US, have called for investigations into claims of interference and fraud in the election. The US State Department expressed concerns about restrictions on freedoms of expression and assembly during the electoral process.
The election comes at a challenging time for Pakistan, facing economic uncertainty, militant attacks, and climate disasters. Imran Khan, despite being barred from contesting the vote, remains a significant figure in Pakistani politics, while Nawaz Sharif seeks a comeback after years of exile.
The outcome of the election remains uncertain, with possibilities of coalition governments and power struggles among political parties.
