It is said that Imran Khan has scored the most even without playing on the pitch in Pak Polls. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s latest announcement, as of Sunday, the Imran Khan party PTI-backed Independents secured 101 out of the total 265 National Assembly seats. Following closely behind were PML-N with 75 seats, PPP with 54, MQM with 17, and other smaller parties with a combined total of 18 seats.
Despite the imprisonment of Imran Khan and the restrictions imposed on his party members preventing them from participating in the election under the PTI banner or utilizing its iconic cricket bat symbol, candidates affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) managed to perform strongly in the fiercely contested electoral process. These candidates, running as independents but largely supported by the former Prime Minister, garnered 101 seats in the lower house. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz secured 75 seats, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party obtained 54 seats.
Imran Khan, renowned for leading Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, stands as the nation’s preeminent political figure. His tenure as Prime Minister came to an end in April 2022 following confrontations with the military. Subsequently, he initiated protest rallies, defying convention by openly denouncing the military, until governmental and military authorities intervened.
Presently, Khan is jailed in Rawalpindi, the site of the military’s headquarters. He has recently been convicted in three additional cases, involving allegations such as divulging state secrets and participating in an unauthorized marriage ceremony.In an AI-generated speech after the election, Khan criticized Sharif as a “dishonourable man” for claiming victory despite winning fewer seats.
The robust performance of independent candidates underscores the enduring popularity of Imran Khan among Pakistan’s 129 million registered voters, many of whom are grappling with economic challenges exacerbated by the region’s highest inflation rate. It also reflects a growing disenchantment with the traditional political landscape dominated by the Sharif and Bhutto factions.
Madiha Afzal, a foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution, remarked, “The current lead of PTI-backed independents, despite the significant obstacles faced by their party in the lead-up to the election and during the campaign, is of immense significance for Pakistan.” She added, “It exemplifies the influence of Khan’s support base, which largely consists of Pakistan’s youthful and middle-class demographic.”
“In a speech published on his party’s website, Khan addressed the people of Pakistan, stating, ‘My fellow Pakistanis, through your votes yesterday, you have laid the groundwork for your freedom. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you on your victory in the 2024 elections.'”
The majority of Khan’s independent candidates lack extensive political experience, as numerous senior figures departed from the party following governmental and military pressures. As the formation of a coalition government becomes imminent due to the hung parliament, there is a possibility that some of these independents may defect to other parties. Such political maneuvering, known as horse-trading, is not uncommon in South Asia following elections.
Gohar Ali Khan, Chairman of the PTI party, asserted during a briefing on Saturday that Khan’s loyalists have secured the majority of seats and, therefore, hold the primary mandate to form a government. However, with no single party achieving an outright majority, Nawaz Sharif, speaking amidst cheering crowds in Lahore on Friday, proclaimed victory and expressed intentions to engage with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s PPP to explore possibilities of coalition governance.Sharif’s move may be welcomed by the powerful military which has clashed with Khan. Analysts say three-time former premier Sharif, who returned from exile in London last year and acquitted of corruption charges, had the blessings of the military for the top job. Bhutto Zardari, 35, is the son of Benazir Bhutto, a former leader who was assassinated in 2007.
“On Saturday, the military stated, ‘A unified government comprising all democratic forces, infused with a national purpose, will aptly represent Pakistan’s diverse polity and pluralism.’ It emphasized that elections and democracy should serve the people of Pakistan rather than merely being ends in themselves.”
The electoral process was marred by terrorist attacks in remote bordering provinces with Afghanistan, resulting in casualties. On polling day, Pakistan enforced a nationwide suspension of mobile phone services, citing the necessity for maintaining public order. Concerns were raised by the US and the European Union regarding the suspension of mobile phone services and reported irregularities in the polling process.
Any post-election instability and unrest would further burden an economy already facing multiple challenges. With inflation soaring at 28%, and the expiration of the latest International Monetary Fund bailout program scheduled for March, the incoming leader will be tasked with negotiating a new agreement. Additionally, they will need to navigate complex diplomatic relations with the US and China, address the escalating domestic terrorism, and manage strained ties with neighbouring countries such as India, Afghanistan, and Iran.
