The Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz have officially agreed to form a coalition government following inconclusive national elections. The coalition has chosen Shehbaz Sharif as their candidate for prime minister and Asif Ali Zardari as their candidate for president. The alliance has the support of other smaller parties and a comfortable majority with a total of 264 seats in the legislature. The announcement comes after intense negotiations following the elections, in which no party secured the 134 seats needed for a majority. The PTI has alleged widespread vote rigging and faced restrictions and crackdowns leading up to the elections. The delay in forming a government has raised concerns due to the country’s economic crisis and rising violence. The PPP and PMLN aim to form a government as soon as possible, and a vote for a new prime minister is expected to take place by February 29.