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Pakistan Elections 2024: The numbers are in and the verdict is out. While former Prime Minister Imran Khan-backed candidates collectively form the largest number of National Assembly members, an alliance is being forged between three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League(N) and the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP). 

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Former Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, the brother of PML(N) patriarch and three-time ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday (Feb 13) that "Nawaz Sharif will become prime minister for the fourth time."

Meanwhile, a Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) post on X clarified that they will not hold any talks with PML-N, PPP and MQM.

The PML-N president, who succeeded Imran Khan in Islamabad's prime minister's office after the PTI founder's ouster, said that his party will invite everyone to form a coalition government in the Centre.

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"We have to move forward together in the country's larger interest."

Earlier, sources told WION that Nawaz Sharif's party has offered the prime ministerial designation to the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) with the caveat that PML(N) will take some key ministries. 

Key ministries are not defined yet.

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Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's party has instead offered the PML(N) unconditional support with an option to stay out of the government and support from the outside.

How new government is formed in Pakistan?

Pakistan’s National Assembly has 336 seats, out of which 266 are decided by direct voting and 70 are reserved. 

To form the government on its own, a party needs to win at least 134 seats through the ballot.

Also watch | Pakistan elections results 2024: The game of thrones in Pakistan

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The reserved seats are allocated to the parties in proportion to the total number of National Assembly seats won by them on condition that their vote share crosses 5 per cent of the total votes polled.

Among the reserved seats, 60 are for women and 10 are for non-Muslim candidates. 

Pakistan Elections: The Math and Politics

Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party has won 75 seats and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led Pakistan People’s Party secured 54 seats.

Independent candidates backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party won the most seats, 93.

Also read | Pakistan election results: Independents win most seats in final tally

Since the independent candidates are not part of any party, they will not be allotted the reserved seats. 

But Imran Khan's Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf has said it will not ally with either the PPP or the PML(N).

Also read | The Capitals: 'Angels' prevail in Islamabad but after historic blow to Pakistan Army

"We don’t feel comfortable with both of them," PTI chief Gohar Ali Khan told Dawn. "There will be no talks with anyone to make a government or to make a government together with them. It is better to sit in the opposition than to make a government [with them], but we think we have the majority."

PTI's backing off of the scene comes amid accusations of rigging and countrywide protests by Imran Khan's supporters against the disputed nature of the Feb 8 polls. 

(With inputs from agencies)