Pakistan Election Update: Team Imran Khan Leads, Nawaz Sharif Claims Victory Amid Tensions

Islamabad: The vote-counting process is currently underway in Pakistan following a day of elections marred by violence and internet shutdowns. Pakistanis cast their votes on Thursday to elect a new government, with Imran Khan’s party-backed candidates holding an initial advantage, as per reports.

Nawaz Sharif’s aide, Ishaq Dar, stated that their party is looking to form a coalition government with independent winners. Dar mentioned that independent candidates have expressed interest in joining forces with Sharif’s party within the next 72 hours, as allowed by the Constitution, during a media interaction.

Key contenders in the election include Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by the jailed Imran Khan, and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led by Bilawal Bhutto, the son of the slain leader Benazir Bhutto.

Despite a countrywide public holiday declared to facilitate voting for over 120 million eligible voters, the polling process was marked by violence. In one incident, five Pakistani police personnel were killed, and two others were injured in a terror attack in Dera Ismail Khan district. Additionally, mobile phone services were temporarily suspended to bolster security during the voting process.

Out of the 336 National Assembly seats, 266 were contested in this election. However, polling was postponed in one seat following a fatal gun attack on a candidate in Bajaur. The results for the remaining seats, including those reserved for women and minorities, are being awaited.

Notable results include Nawaz Sharif’s victory in his constituency against Yasmin Rashid and Talha Hafiz Saeed, son of Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed, losing his seat (NA 122 Lahore) to a PTI-backed candidate, Latif Khosa.

Amidst the ongoing vote-counting process, PTI alleged attempts to manipulate results and withhold them, citing what they termed as “unprecedented voter turnout.” The party urged citizens to protect their votes and prevent any tampering with the results.

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, urged political leaders and society to maintain calm amidst the election results tabulation process. He expressed concern over incidents of violence and urged refraining from actions that could escalate tensions.

On social media, both PTI and PML-N exchanged remarks regarding the election results, with PTI urging Nawaz Sharif to accept defeat gracefully, while PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz expressed confidence in her party’s performance and hinted at a victory speech once the final results are received.

The situation outside review officer’s offices turned tense, with police resorting to firing tear gas shells to disperse protesters demanding swift announcement of results.