Lahore [Pakistan], February 9 (ANI): Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz‘s (PML-N) candidate for the premiership, announced on Friday his intention to form a united government with the help of his former allies – Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Pakistan) amid a fractured mandate. The unofficial results called by Geo News for 204 seats have shown the independent candidates, mostly backed by former PM Imran Khan, leading with 87 seats, followed by PML-N at 60 seats and PPP at 45 seats.
Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif claimed PML-N‘s “victory” in the February 8 general election in the backdrop of a precarious economy and the political crisis unleashed by Imran Khan’s ouster from power. In a charged speech in Lahore‘s Model Town, Nawaz Sharif said, “I have tasked Shehbaz Sharif to meet Fazlur Rehman, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and Asif Ali Zardari today.” He further specified that Shehbaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar would hold meetings as part of the outreach efforts.
Respecting the mandate of all parties and independent candidates, Nawaz Sharif hinted at the formation of a ‘unity government.’ He asserted that it is the collective responsibility of all parties to join forces and navigate Pakistan out of its current crisis. “Not just my or Ishaq Dar’s responsibility… It is everyone’s Pakistan. If we all work together, only then will Pakistan get out of this crisis,” he emphasised.
Expressing the need for a stable Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif stated, “Pakistan needed at least 10 years of stability. Those who are in the mood for confrontation, I want to tell them we don’t want any fight… Pakistan cannot afford it. We all must sit together and sort issues out and take Pakistan to the 21st century, but due to our mistake, we could not do that earlier.”
However, amidst ongoing result updates, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidates are leading with more than 100 seats, while the PML-N is trailing. Despite this, PML-N leaders remain confident, asserting that their candidates have secured the majority of seats and are poised to form the government at the center. The political landscape in Pakistan continues to evolve as negotiations for coalition-building unfold.
The independent candidates backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) are leading with 52 seats, according to the provincial results released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) so far, Dawn reported. The ECP has released the provincial results for 120 out of 266 seats in the National Assembly.
While PTI-backed independent candidates are leading with 52 seats, PML-N is a close second with 40 seats, followed by the PPP with 19 seats.
Notably, Imran Khan was disqualified from contesting the elections due to criminal convictions. The electoral symbol of the PTI was also taken away by the ECP in a ruling later backed by the Pakistan apex court. As a result, the PTI leaders and supporters contested as independent candidates, Dawn reported. (ANI)
Pak Election: PML-N, PPP initiate ‘first formal contact’ for government formation
Lahore [Pakistan], February 12 (ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have commenced formal discussions to forge a government at the center with the support of their allies, as political scheming has reached its peak following the poll on February 8th, in which neither political party was able to gain a simple majority, as reported by Dawn. In light of the ongoing dialogue with the PPP, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif reached out to JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman to brief him on the meeting with the PPP and solicit his support for the formation of the federal government. Maulana Fazl assured a response by Wednesday.
Simultaneously, a meeting with the political party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was convened in Lahore, while another meeting with the PML-Q led by Shujaat Hussain is scheduled for today (February 12) in Islamabad, as per Dawn. This flurry of political activities unfolds as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independent candidates lead in the National Assembly polls, securing at least 93 seats, with PML-N and PPP, respectively, holding 75 and 54 seats.
According to Dawn, after establishing formal contact on Sunday, a delegation led by Shehbaz Sharif visited Bilawal House in Lahore to meet Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, engaging in discussions for over an hour. While a joint declaration termed the meeting ‘constructive’, it did not outline a specific plan.
Dawn quoted insiders as saying that the PML-N aims to retain the prime minister’s slot, akin to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition government, offering the PPP the coveted positions of president, National Assembly speaker, and Senate chairman in return. The PPP leaders will deliberate on this proposal during the central executive committee meeting scheduled in Islamabad today.
The declaration emphasized the cordial environment of the meeting, underlining the commitment to prioritize national interest and well-being. Both parties acknowledged the necessity of sustained political cooperation, aiming to address national challenges collaboratively. Reflecting the spirit of consensus-building, the leaders affirmed their dedication to steering the country towards stability and prosperity. They underscored their commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the people and ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
The PML-N delegation comprised Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ayaz Sadiq, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer, Saad Rafique, Malik Ahmad Khan, Marrriyum Aurangzeb, and Shaza Fatima. Separately, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari met US Ambassador Donald Blome in Islamabad to discuss federal government formation and the election process. Upon his return to Lahore, Bilawal held discussions with Asif Zardari before departing for Bilawal House.
A meeting between Nawaz Sharif and PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujat, initially planned in Lahore, has been rescheduled for Monday in Islamabad. Additionally, a delegation of the MQM, with 17 NA seats, assured cooperation to the PML-N in navigating the country out of crisis. (ANI)
