The people of Pakistan have shown immense support for imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the general elections. Results for 250 seats have been announced so far, with Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), leading by supporting 91 independent candidates who have won the elections.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (N) party has secured 71 seats. Only the results for 15 seats are pending. Out of the 336 seats in the National Assembly, voting was conducted for 266. Voting on one seat was postponed after a candidate was killed in a bombing in Bajaur. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has secured only 53 seats. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has won 33 seats, with two more going to other parties.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan is currently in jail and is barred from contesting elections. Therefore, 71-year-old Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidates contested the elections independently because the Supreme Court had upheld the Election Commission’s decision to disqualify the party’s election symbol, the cricket bat. It is now clear from the election results that no one has the necessary 133 seats to form a new government. Coalition-building will be essential for the formation of the new government.