Asia
Pakistan’s opposition party PTI claims election victory
People read the morning newspaper at a stall in Lahore. Pakistan’s elections were overshadowed by internet blocks and allegations of manipulation. photo
© KM Chaudary/AP/dpa
After the general election, imprisoned opposition leader Imran Khan reports again with an AI video. The army chief finds clear words. The country is facing a difficult task of forming a government.
Two days after the election, the nuclear power faced a difficult task of forming a government. Sharif, considered by many to be the clear favorite, missed a majority with his PML-N party and only got 71 seats in parliament after 95 percent of the constituencies were counted. The independent candidates, most of whom, according to Pakistani media reports, have connections to the imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his opposition party PTI, surprisingly won 100 of the 266 seats.
Sharif’s PML-N has now held talks with the third-place People’s Party PPP led by 35-year-old Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and is also aiming to form the government. Sharif is likely to recruit defectors from independent candidates in order to find a majority. They have 72 hours after the election to join other parties or form their own factions. An alliance with a small party would also be conceivable and would secure Sharif the necessary majority of 134 seats.
Internet blocks and allegations of manipulation
Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir warned that leading politicians should overcome their own interests. The influential general called on the parties to serve the people. “Because that is perhaps the only way to make democracy functional and useful.”
Pakistan’s elections were overshadowed by internet blocks and allegations of manipulation. Since Pakistan’s independence over 75 years ago as a result of the partition of British India, there have been repeated unrest and instability in the country. The military ruled for more than half of this time. And even among civilian governments, generals were seen as the force that could decide the success or failure of the political leadership.