Pakistan elections: PML-N, PPP agree to form coalition govt at Centre, Punjab, says report

Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have agreed to form the government at the Centre in Punjab, Geo News reported on Saturday (Feb 10). As per the report, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif met Bhutto and former president Asif Ali Zardari, inviting them to work together for Pakistan.

The meeting happened at the residence of Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Citing sources, the report said that Shehbaz discussed the future government formation with Zardari and also conveyed PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s message. He asked the two PPP leaders to sit with the PML-N leadership for political and economic stability in Pakistan, the report added.

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The general elections in Pakistan took place on Thursday and the results were announced after much delay. The results of 250 of the total 265 seats have been officially announced.

Independent candidates who supported jailed former prime minister Imran Khan have won 99 seats, the PML-N has won 71 seats and the PPP has won 53 seats. The rest were won by small parties and other independents.

Sharif hints at improving ties with India

Nawaz Sharif said on Fridaythat his government would try to improve relations with neighbouring countries. In the recently concluded general elections, the PML-N technically emerged as the single-largest party in the National Assembly despite the fact that the number of independent candidates supporting Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was higher than any other political party.

"We would improve ties with the world and with our neighbours and try to solve all issues with them," said Sharif, the former three-time prime minister, as reported by news agency PTI. Sharif asked his supporters if they agreed with this remark and they backed him.

Sharif did not directly mention India, but the word "neighbours" has significance as in his previous tenures as PM, he has tried to mend ties with India.

Sharif, Imran Khan claim victory in polls

Both Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan claimed victory in Thursday's general elections.

“Praise be to Allah, Muslim League-N is the largest single party in the country today after the elections. I understand that this is our duty to bring this country out of the whirlpool,” Sharif told his supporters on Friday, adding he would talk to other groups to form a coalition government as the PML-N had failed to win a clear majority on its own.

“Whoever has got the mandate, whether independents or parties, we respect the mandate they have got. We respect that from the bottom of our heart,” Sharif said and pointed out that it was necessary to sit down and form a government and take Pakistan out of the whirlpool.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan, who is in jail and has been facing numerous cases since he was ousted as PM in April 2022, claimed victory in the elections in an audio-visual message created using artificial intelligence.

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In the message that was shared on X, Khan rejected Sharif's victory claim and called on his supporters to celebrate a win that was achieved despite what he calls a crackdown on his party PTI.

'London plan has failed'

During his victory speech, Imran Khan also said that the London Plan of Nawaz Sharif failed with the massive turnout of voters. Addressing the citizens, Khan said, "By turning out in huge numbers and exercising your democratic right of franchise, you have laid the foundation for the restoration of the freedom to exercise citizens' rights. I congratulate you all on helping us win the elections handsomely."

"Nawaz Sharif is a leader of low intelligence who gave a victory speech despite his party trailing in 30 seats," he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir congratulated the country on the successful conduct of the elections. "Free and unhindered participation by Pakistani people to exercise their right of vote demonstrated their commitment to democracy and the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan," a statement read.

"The constructive role played by national media, civil society, members of civil administration, and judiciary enabled the successful conduct of the largest electoral exercise in national history. Pakistan’s diverse polity and pluralism will be well-represented by a unified government of all democratic forces imbibed with national purpose," the statement added.

(With inputs from agencies)