Pakistan is currently facing a period of uncertainty following the recent election results, which have shown no clear majority for any one party. The leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan respectively, have both declared victory. Independent candidates, largely affiliated with PTI, have secured a significant number of seats, while PMLN and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have also gained seats.
There are two possible scenarios after the announcement of preliminary results. The first scenario is that PTI will form a government on its own, while the second, less likely scenario, is that PPP will join forces with PTI to form a coalition government. Protests have erupted across the country due to the delay in announcing the final results, with demonstrators claiming that the election result delay is allowing authorities to rig the vote-counting.
The United States, United Kingdom, and European Union have expressed concerns about the electoral process in Pakistan, mentioning allegations of interference and saying that claims of irregularities, interference, and fraud should be fully investigated.
The head of Pakistan’s powerful army made a public statement, emphasizing the need for stable leadership to move the country forward. The military is a dominant player in the country’s political affairs and has been hoping for a weak coalition to be formed under the PMLN leadership.
Amidst this uncertainty, the question of who will be able to form a government in Pakistan remains unanswered. It is a crucial time for Pakistan, a country of 241 million people, as it grapples with political instability, an uncertain economy, and rising internal security challenges.