Independents Won 47 of 106 Seats Counted in Pakistan Poll, Most Backed by Imran Khan
People walk past a banner with a picture of the former Prime Minister Imran Khan outside the party office of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a day after the general election, in Lahore, Pakistan, February 9, 2024.
In Pakistan's national election, independent candidates, largely supported by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, secured victories in 47 out of 106 parliamentary seats, according to projections from broadcaster Geo News as of Friday. The Election Commission of Pakistan has officially declared results for 57 seats out of the total 266 in the national assembly.
Elections were conducted for 265 seats, and a political party requires 133 seats for a simple majority. The independent candidates' success, particularly those aligned with Imran Khan, signals a significant presence in the parliamentary landscape.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) has already secured at least 17 seats. There is speculation that the PML-N may consider forming a coalition government with independent candidates. On Friday, Sharif's aide Ishaq Dar expressed confidence in the party's ability to establish a government. He mentioned that if any other party emerged as a clear winner, his party would gracefully concede.
The political dynamics are evolving, and the outcome remains uncertain as the counting continues. The prospect of coalition-building and negotiations among political entities adds an element of intrigue to the unfolding post-election scenario in Pakistan.