———- PML-N active to form govt with help from PDM allies
———- PML-N, PPP engage in talks for coalition formation
———- After PML-N-MQM-P meeting, Siddiqui turns down reports of talks on govt formation
———- Nawaz-Shujaat meeting postponed
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Around 60 million eligible voters participated in the electoral process in Pakistan on Feb-ruary 8, 2024, casting their ballots to elect representatives across 265 National Assembly and 590 Pro-vincial Assembly constituencies.
This marked one of the nation’s most fiercely contested political battles, with an estimated voter turn-out ranging from 45 to 50 percent. Following a period of heightened anticipation and amidst consider-able turmoil, the general elections have concluded without major incidents, and the results have been officially announced.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced official results for the majority of constitu-encies, revealing a fragmented political landscape.
However, the outcome has triggered a flurry of discontent among contestants, with accusations of electoral irregularities and rigging flying between rival parties. Legal challenges have been mounted against the declared results. Nonetheless, behind the scenes, political maneuvering is underway as parties engage in negotiations to woo independent candidates and bolster their positions to secure government formation at both the national and provincial levels. Meanwhile, the incoming government is poised to confront a myriad of pressing issues, spanning from economic instability and security concerns to the increasingly urgent matter of climate change.
National Assembly
The National Assembly comprises a total of 266 seats, with 133 seats needed for a party to secure a majority and form a government.
Official results have been disclosed for 262 constituencies, reflecting a voter turnout of 45.49%, with 58,284,465 votes cast.
Results for only two constituencies are still pending, while outcomes for NA-15, NA-46, NA-47, NA-48, and NA-88 constituencies have been withheld. Furthermore, elections for NA-8 have been post-poned. According to the ECP’s findings, the distribution of seats in the National Assembly is as follows: Inde-pendent candidates supported by the PTI hold the highest number of seats, totaling 101, followed by the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) with 75 seats.
The Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) secured 54 seats, while the Muttahida Qomi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) claimed 17 seats.
The Pakistan Muslim League (PML) secured 3 seats, alongside Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-P) and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) each with 3 and 2 seats respectively. The Balochistan National Par-ty (BNP) also acquired 2 seats in the National Assembly.
Punjab Assembly
In the Punjab Assembly, where 297 seats are up for grabs, Independent candidates dominate with 138 seats, narrowly edging out the PML-N with 137 seats.
The PPPP and PML trail behind with 10 and 8 seats respectively.
Sindh Assembly
The Sindh Assembly consists of a total of 130 seats, with results declared for all constituencies except PS-18, where a re-election is scheduled.
PPPP emerged as the leading party in the Sindh Assembly, securing 84 seats, followed by MQM with 28 seats. Independent candidates claimed the third position with 13 seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami Paki-stan (JI) obtained 2 seats.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there are a total of 115 seats, with results declared for 112 constituencies. However, outcomes for PK-79, PK-82, and PK-90 are currently withheld.
However, elections for PK-22 and PK-91 have been postponed.
The KP Assembly witnesses a strong showing by Independent candidates, capturing 90 seats, with JUI-P trailing behind with only 7 seats, leaving the PML-N and PPPP with 5 and 4 seats respectively.
Balochistan Assembly
Balochistan, however, emerges as a beacon of stability, with results declared across all 51 constituen-cies, showcasing a diverse representation with PPP and JUI (P) leading the pack with 11 seats each, followed by PML-N with 6 seats.
The coming days are crucial as political negotiations intensify, and the nation waits with bated breath for a resolution to the post-election turmoil.
Earlier, With no single party securing an outright majority in the closely contested general elections, Sunday marked a pivotal moment as PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif convened a constructive meet-ing with PPPP President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the Bilawal House.
Held in an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation, the meeting underscored a shared com-mitment to prioritising the nation’s interests and welfare above everything.
According to a joint press release issued after the meeting, discussions encompassed a comprehen-sive assessment of Pakistan’s current political landscape, deliberations on future strategies and the exchange of recommendations aimed at promoting stability and progress across the board.
Engaging in substantive discussions, the two parties recognised the pressing need for collaborative efforts for the betterment of the country.
The leaders, while reflecting a spirit of consensus-building, acknowledged the importance of establish-ing a framework for sustained political cooperation between the PML-N and the PPPP, laying the groundwork for a stronger, more united approach to addressing the challenges facing the nation.
Both parties affirmed their dedication to steering Pakistan away from political instability and towards a path of prosperity and resilience.
Emphasising the mandate entrusted to them by the electorate, the leaders underscored their unwa-vering commitment to realising the aspirations of the people and ensuring their voices are heard and heeded.
As a concrete step towards further dialogue and collaboration, the PPP leadership will present the suggestions of the PML-N in its central executive committee meeting in an effort to enhance political cohesion and efficacy.
The PML-N delegation comprised Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ayaz Sadiq, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Malik Ahmad Khan, Marrriyum Aurangzeb and Sheza Fatima.
Manwhile, Following a high-level meeting with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s leadership Mut-tahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has called for politi-cal stability in the country.
Speaking to the media, Siddiqui turned down the reports suggesting that the Karachi-based party is holding talks with the PML-N over matters pertaining to the formation of the government.
His remarks come as attempts are underway by political parties including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the PML-N, to rope in independents and form alliances after neither of the parties managed to secure a simple majority following the results of the February 8 polls which have been released so far.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independent candidates have emerged as the largest group with 93 National Assembly seats so far, whereas the PML-N and PPP have secured 78 and 54 seats, respectively — meaning that either a hung parliament is in the making.
Commenting on his party’s interaction with the PML-N leadership in Lahore, Siddiqui, in a press con-ference in Karachi, categorically denied demanding the post of Sindh governor for the MQM-P.
“The news [reports circulating] in the media regarding government formation are not correct,” he said while calling for the stakeholders to act beyond their respective political interests.
Separately, speaking to the media, senior PML-N leader Azam Nazeer Tarar termed the MQM-P’s del-egation’s visit a “goodwill gesture” and stressed that the party will decide on forming its government in the centre after consulting with its allies — whoever they may be.
Highlighting that no single party possesses the required mandate to form the government on its own, Tarar stressed that the federation is strengthened via the formation of a coalition government.
Meanwhile, speaking to Geo News, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira underscored the need for “recon-ciliation” amid prevailing political uncertainty.
On the issue of PPP’s prospective alliance with any political party, Kaira said that his party would mull over the said issue in its central executive committee’s meeting slated for Monday (tomorrow).
Responding to a question regarding PPP’s prospects of joining hands with the PML-N in light of its Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s stance, which he had taken during the election campaign, against any alliance with the Nawaz Sharif-led party, Kaira questioned what will happen if his party refuses to join hands with either PML-N or PTI.
“Will the PTI and PML-N forge an alliance? No. What will happen in the ensuing chaos? Will that serve the nation,” he said.
His remarks come after PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari met PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in La-hore over the issue of formation of government.
Earlier in the day, PML-N Secretary Information Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed that MQM-P had reached a consensus on basic points for political cooperation in the best “interest of the nation and country” with the PML-N.
Her comments followed after an MQM-P delegation comprising Siddiqui, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori, Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal met PML-N leadership including Nawaz, Shehbaz, Maryam Nawaz, Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah, Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Rana Mashhood at the PML-N supremo’s Jati Umra residence.
