- The parliamentary elections in Pakistan ended without a clear winner.
- Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the imprisoned former head of government Imran Khan declared themselves election winners on Friday.
- This means that the nuclear power, which is suffering from economic difficulties, is heading for troubled times.
Sharif said his Muslim League won the most seats in parliament. The 74-year-old announced that he would begin exploring a coalition.
Legend:
Nawaz Sharif with his daughter Maryam Nawaz while speaking to supporters in Lahore (February 9, 2024).
Keystone/EPA/RAHAT DAR
Shortly thereafter, his rival Khan claimed victory in the election. In a message distributed via the short message service X, he rejected his rival’s claims. Khan called on his supporters to celebrate a victory achieved despite what he said was a crackdown on his party, PTI.
Khan allies win majority of seats
After counting most of the constituencies, the Muslim League got 61 seats. Independent candidates allied with Sharif’s jailed main rival Khan won 92 seats. Although they have more power than the Muslim League, as independents they cannot form their own government. Khan’s party PTI was excluded from the election.
Legend:
Poster of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad (February 9, 2024).
Keystone/AP Photo/Anjum Naveed
Sharif has served as Prime Minister of Pakistan three times. After some upheavals, he is now again seen as a favorite of the influential and powerful military. At the end of 2023, he returned from self-imposed exile in London and promised to rebuild the South Asian country’s economy. The country is currently led by a caretaker government under a non-party prime minister.
Legend:
Supporters of Nawaz Sharif (not in the picture) at his speech in Lahore (February 9, 2024).
Keystone/EPA/RAHAT DAR
The popular former cricketer Khan was sentenced to ten years in prison at the end of January for revealing state secrets. He previously received a three-year prison sentence in a corruption case. He has been in prison since August. In 2022, Khan was removed from office by a vote of no confidence in parliament. The 71-year-old accuses the military of being responsible for his downfall.
Counting takes an unusually long time
The results of Thursday’s election took an unusually long time to arrive. The election commission attributed this to internet problems. The government pointed out that mobile phone networks had been switched off as a security measure.
Legend:
The election center in Islamabad on February 9th.
Keystone/AP Photo/Anjum Naveed
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said there were serious doubts about the fairness of the vote. It was regrettable that not all parties were registered and that legal procedures were used to prevent some politicians from running.