Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Rauf Hassan has said that his party will form a government with Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) in the centre and Punjab. He also said that PTI will form the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).
MWM has one National Assembly (NA) seat, and JI has seven provincial assembly seats in KP. On the other hand, MWM has no provincial assembly seat in Punjab.
The general elections of February 8 pulled many surprises, the least of which was Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) managing to win the largest number of seats despite not having a symbol or even a party.
But another surprise was the poor performance of supposed front runners, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Although the party managed to get 79 seats, it still fell way short of expectations.
So what is the party thinking now? More importantly, what is party head Nawaz Sharif, welcomed back in October 2023 with much fanfare, going to do?
According to veteran journalist Nusrat Javed, Nawaz is not going to do much. Talking on Public TV, Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz has shut himself off from nearly everyone and can only be enticed to come out for meeting major players, including Asif Ali Zardari. Nusrat Javed said that Nawaz is no longer interested in becoming a Prime Minister once again. “Mujhay kyon bullaya” is the mantra, said Nusrat Javed.
However, a party insider told DAWN that Nawaz is still very much in the running for become the Prime Minister for a fourth term. “As of now, Nawaz Sharif has not been ruled out as a candidate for the PM’s slot. Since the PML-N has to lead the federal coalition, many within the Maryam Nawaz camp feel why shouldn’t [the elder Sharif] take the driving seat,” the insider told DAWN.
The party’s senior leader and one of Nawaz’s close aided, Khwaja Asif, has said that the former Premier is not disappointed with the results of the election in which PML-N did not manage to get a simple majority, leaving it at the mercy of a buoyant PPP for forming the government.
Talking on Geo News, Asif said, “We are aware of the shortcomings but will fulfil our promise of giving relief to the masses after coming into government.”
He also expressed caution about the power-sharing formula that is being talked about, with PML-N ruling for three years and then PPP taking over for the remaining two.
“It would be unwise to hand over the government to another party after bringing stability,” he remarked.
So there you have it. What the PML-N ultimately decides to do is still unclear. Perhaps we will know more as the days unfold.
‘What a joke’; PTI’s Khosa on PMLN’s two PM plan
PTI’s Latif Khosa, who won in Lahore against PML-N’s Khwaja Saad Rafique, has said that the only party poised to form the government is PTI as they are the clear winners of the February 8 general elections.
Commenting on PML- N and PPP’s reported plan to ‘share the Prime Minister slot’ if they make an alliance, Khosa said, “What joke is being done with democracy?”
“Who are they — who have been rejected by the people — to divide among themselves…No Assembly or Parliament can function without Imran Khan.”
He also added that since PTI was a registered party, the winners should not be called Independents, should be given reserved seats and allowed to make the government with Imran Khan as their leader.
Khan is currently in jail, serving sentences in three cases.
Not a good idea to hand over government to another party after three difficult years: Khawaja Asif
PML-N senior leader and former defence minister Khawaja Asif has rebutted alleged claims that Nawaz Sharif was despondent after the February 8 election result not adding up in the party’s favour.
While speaking with Shahzeb Khanzada on a Geo News program on Monday, Asif asserted that “We are aware of the shortcomings but will fulfil our promise of giving relief to the masses after coming into government. PTI is habitual of crying foul after every election,” adding that PPP has also accepted the results.
He claimed that independent candidates are joining PML-N by choice and that the party is not offering them any bribes.
A crucial meeting with MQM, according to Asif, went well. The veteran politician said that while Karachi has problems related to water and terrorism, Nawaz Sharif has solved the problems of the city before.
He also stated that the party will make Punjab an example as to how the government should be run in the provinces while admitting to the shortcomings and promising to provide service and relief to the people.
Pointing towards PTI, he said the party has a pattern of delaying every election. PPP, on the other hand, has accepted the election results and PML-N’s seats have started to increase, whereas independent candidates want to come join on their own.
Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Dr Firdous Ashiq has finally offered an explanation for a viral video in which she can be seen slapping a police officer on the night of general elections.
Awan said that she slapped a police officer as the person in uniform was facilitating one political party on election day. The IPP leader also said that if the law does not take its course, then citizens will teach corrupt police officers a lesson.
The video was widely slammed on social media, with users calling out the IPP leader for resorting to violence.
No mobile signals on election day:
The general election of 2024 took place on February 8, and there were no mobile signals on election day across the country. Caretaker prime minister Anwar Kakar said, “I don’t know what difficulties citizens are facing due to mobile suspension.”
Polling started late:
According to a report in The Express TRIBUNE, polling at most women polling stations started late on February 8 due to the late supply of election material in different areas of the country.
Blasts on election day:
Two blasts happened on Election Day in Lajja town and the Kharan area of Balochistan. At least three people were killed in two blasts on February 8.
Hot Seats:
NA-122 Lahore was a hot seat as Khawja Saad Rafique of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PTI-backed candidate Sardar Latif Khosa were in competition. However, Sardar Latif Khosa won this seat.
NA-128 was also a hot seat as PTI-backed candidate Salman Akram Raja and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party’s (IPP) Aun Chaudhary were competing on it. However, Aun Chaudhary won this seat.
NA-130 was also an important seat, as former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in competition with PTI-supported Yasmeen Rashid. However, Nawaz Sharif won this seat.
Long delay in election results:
Election results took a long long time to be tabulated and released.
ECP decides to announce results:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided to announce results, beginning with three constituencies at 2am on February 9.
Allegations of rigging:
Multiple politicians claimed that the elections were rigged in different constituencies, and some politicians challenged their defeat in courts.
PTI Independents take the lead:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed candidates took the lead and then maintained it.
Nawaz’s victory speech:
Former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif cancelled his victory speech on Thursday night due to a delay in results. The next day, February 9, Nawaz Sharif said in his speech that all politicians and political parties should work together.
Shehbaz meetings:
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif met Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Asif Zardari, on Friday, and a delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Saturday to discuss the possibility of joining hands in a coalition government.
Final Tally:
According to results so far, PTI-backed candidates are 93, PML-N has 73 and PPP won 53 National Assembly seats.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz has said in a tweet that the party is emerging as the single largest party in the centre as well as in Punjab.
She wrote in a post on X (previously Twitter), “As opposed to the false perception deliberately built by a section of media last night, PMLN, Alhamdolillah emerging as the single largest party in centre and in Punjab. Some results awaited. MNS will head to PMLN HQ for the victory speech as soon as final results are received. Insha’Allah. Stay tuned”
A source close to the Sharif family has told us that as the election results go neck to neck PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif has left the PMLN Model Town headquarters and cancelled his ‘victory speech’.
News report from PMLN headquarters: Mian Nawaz Shareef did not make the scheduled victory speech and has left the PMLN headquarters
— Kamran Shahid (@FrontlineKamran) February 8, 2024
Polling is over for perhaps the most contentious elections in Pakistan’s history, and now the nation is waiting for the results for Pakistan’s general elections.
But when will we know who their next Prime Minister will be?
Not anytime soon, unfortunately.
Here’s how it works. The results as yet are unofficial. Official results are being compiled by ECP and will take a while to tabulate.
Once the votes are counted, the parliament will take oath. Then the house will hold election for Prime Minister and the candidate who has the majority of legislators behind him, he wins.
We know that PML-N candidate for Prime Minister is Nawaz Sharif while for PPP its Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
Could a dark horse become our Premier? We’ll know in a few short days.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari wants the mobile service across the country to be restored. The former foreign minister wrote a post on X (previously Twitter) saying, “Mobile phone services must be restored immediately across the country. I have asked my party to approach both ECP and the courts for this purpose.”
Other politicians are also agreeing with BBZ, including Independent candidate and former PPP minister, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar.
The federal Ministry of Interior has confirmed on Thursday morning that internet services on mobile data across the country have been suspended after a dramatic surge of terror attacks just a day before the country goes to polls.
“Recent surge in terrorist activities resulting in precious lives have stirred security environment in the country. In the light of deteriorating security situation and to mitigate potential security threats, need has risen to take by measures to safeguard against it. Therefore, it has been decided to temporarily suspend the mobile services across the country,” a statement issued by the ministry said.
However, WiFi services have not been suspended and remain operational.
The news has been met by dismay on social media as users say it hinders the voting process and blocks candidates from communicating with their polling staff.
On Wednesday, two attacks just a short while apart from each other, killed 27 people in Balochistan while more than 50 people were injured. A grenade attack in Karachi got foiled when the ammo detonated in the hands of the motorcyclist carrying it, while JUI-F’s Hafiz Hamdullah was attacked by gunfire in an assassination attempt that failed.
Pakistan is set to hold its national elections on Thursday, a crucial event for the country grappling with multiple crises.
As the new government prepares to take charge, it faces daunting challenges in stabilising the economy.
Last summer, Pakistan narrowly avoided a sovereign default through a last-minute $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
However, this lifeline is set to end in March, and officials anticipate the need for a new, extended programme.
Negotiating this program swiftly is imperative for the incoming government, as the economy is burdened by record-high inflation and slow growth resulting from stringent reforms.
The country’s headline inflation stood at 28.3 per cent year-on-year in January, slightly lower than December’s 29.7 per cent. Despite government expectations, citizens are anxious for the new administration to address the soaring inflation that has significantly impacted their daily lives.
Moreover, recent increases in gas prices, with a 35.13 per cent hike for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and 8.57 per cent for Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC), add to the economic challenges. The move, effective from January 1, 2024, is the second increase in gas prices this fiscal year.
In addition to rising gas prices, the cost of petrol and diesel has surged, with a notable increase of Rs13.55 per litre announced on February 1, 2024. This hike is attributed to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including Israel’s conflict with Gaza and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
Amid these economic hardships, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved an increase in electricity tariffs for distribution companies (Discos) by Rs4.57 per unit for December 2023. This adjustment addresses the escalating fuel costs impacting the power sector.
The new government is also expected to address the exchange rate concerns as the Pakistani rupee struggles against the US dollar, currently standing at around Rs279.
The disparity has led to increased prices for essential commodities, further straining the population.
Adding to the complexity of the upcoming elections is the high political tension, with former prime minister Imran Khan describing a crackdown on him and his party.
Khan, who has been in jail since August, faces pending cases, including accusations of ordering violent attacks on military installations.
Despite his imprisonment, Khan maintains substantial popular support, and continued political unrest could jeopardise the stability needed for economic recovery and foreign investment.
As Pakistan stands at a critical juncture, the incoming government’s ability to navigate these challenges will determine the nation’s economic trajectory in the coming years.