Islamabad

Imran Khan, former prime minister of Pakistan and cricketer-turned-politician may be in jail but halfway into the counting of votes in Pakistan national elections, candidates loyal to his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have taken lead. PTI has won around 49 seats so far. Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) is leading on 42 and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has bagged 34, as reported by AFP.

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Imran Khan is in jail after being convicted of treason, graft and having an un-Islamic marriage. He is also facing about 200 cases. But Khan and his supporters say that cases against him are politically motivated.

Authorities launched sweeping crackdown on PTI in last few months and the party was barred from contesting elections and holding rallies. As PTI was taken off ballot, the candidates were forced to contest elections as independents.

In Pakistan, independent candidates have to declare their support to party within 72 hours of their victory. This often leads to 'horse-trading' and deal-making.

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As reported by AFP most of PTI loyalists have bagged seats in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region. Results from Pakistani Punjab province weren't fully declared. It is the most populous province and wields great political power in the country. Punjab has traditionally been a stronghold of the Sharif family.

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"...even if PTI is unable to form a government, the elections show there are limits to political engineering," said Bilal Gilani, executive director of polling group Gallup Pakistan. 

"It shows that the military does not always get their way -- that is the silver lining," Gilani was quoted as saying by AFP.

Also Read | Pakistan counts votes to decide leader of crisis-hit nation

The elections, held on Thursday (February 8) were hit by violence. As per the tally released by Pakistan's interior ministry, there were 61 attacks across the country, most of them were carried out in regions sharing border with Afghanistan.

There were at least 16 deaths, which included 10 security personnel. Fifty four people were also wounded in attacks across the country.

Elections 'rigged'

The delay in vote counting is being perceived by some voters as a sign of the elections being rigged.

"The delaying tactics speak loudly of the results being rigged and there is no other reason behind the delay," Nisar Ahmed (45) a shop owner told AFP.

Also Read | Pakistan Elections 2024: Nawaz Sharif's seat results rigged? Former PM accused of 'stealing public mandate'

In the run-up to the elections, it was expected that PML(N) would bag most seats, but initial results indicate that PML(N) and PPP, both dynastic parties are involved in a tough fight.

(With inputs from agencies)