A significant number of supporters rallying behind Pakistan’s incarcerated former prime minister, Imran Khan, along with members of various political factions, have initiated a widespread demonstration, blocking vital highways and initiating a day-long strike in the volatile southwest region. The protest aims to denounce the alleged electoral irregularities observed in last week’s elections.
The final tally released on Sunday revealed that candidates backed by Imran Khan secured more seats than the political factions that ousted him from power nearly two years ago. However, with no single party clinching a majority, negotiations for a coalition government among the parties become imperative. The country’s next prime minister will be chosen by the newly elected parliament.
The voting process on Thursday was marred by accusations of vote tampering, an unprecedented mobile phone shutdown, and the exclusion of Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) from the ballot.
While victorious candidates celebrated their wins, the PTI and other factions refused to concede defeat in numerous constituencies. In the eastern city of Lahore, dozens of Khan’s supporters were briefly detained over the weekend during protests against alleged electoral malpractice.
Jan Achakzai, a government spokesperson in the Baluchistan province, called upon protesters to gracefully accept the election results and vacate the highways.
Khan’s inability to contest in the election stemmed from criminal convictions against him, which he contends are politically motivated. PTI-aligned candidates secured 101 out of 266 seats in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-N party, led by the three-time premier and former convict Nawaz Sharif, secured 75 seats. Sharif is currently engaged in negotiations with allies to form a coalition government.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, secured 54 seats, placing third in the election. One election result has been withheld, and another vote was postponed due to the death of a candidate. Notably, the campaign to oust Imran Khan from office in 2022 was spearheaded by the PML-N and the PPP.
Pakistan’s military has historically positioned itself as the ultimate arbiter in determining the country’s prime minister. Sharif emerged as the favoured candidate of the powerful security establishment, owing to his smooth return to the country last October.