Imran Khan’s candidates won the most seats despite attempts to stop them. The results of Pakistan’s general elections on February 8 were delayed, but Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), emerged as a clear winner.
Even though no party got a majority, PTI secured the most seats.
Imran Khan, the former prime minister, couldn’t stand in the elections due to legal issues, and his party faced challenges, but voters still supported PTI candidates. PTI members running as independents won 92 out of 264 parliamentary seats. Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), PTI’s main rival, was expected to win but secured only 75 seats.
Although PTI has the most seats, they won’t form the government as they ruled out forming a coalition with other parties. Nawaz Sharif is trying to take power, and his brother Shehbaz Sharif is in talks with the Pakistan Peoples Party and smaller parties to create a unity government. The army chief supports this effort, praising the free and fair election.
PTI claims the election was rigged by rivals and the army, providing evidence. PML-N denies the allegations, but signs of tampering are evident, leading to delays in result releases and issues with rejected ballots.
Before the election, the army orchestrated a campaign against Imran Khan and PTI, affecting their electoral symbol and disqualifying leaders. The Supreme Court played a role in this. Imran Khan, already in prison on a separate charge, faced additional charges a week before the election. Mobile network shutdowns on election day created obstacles for voters.
The outcome challenges the army’s influence in Pakistan’s politics. Still, with no clear majority and rigging allegations, political instability is expected. Legal challenges may affect some results, but PTI is likely to remain in the opposition. Nawaz Sharif might form a coalition similar to the one after Imran Khan’s ousting in April 2022, suggesting little change in Pakistani politics despite voters wanting something different.