Imran Khan’s PTI Wins Pakistan Elections But Needs Coalition Support to Form Govt

With the PTI falling short of the 137 seats needed for a majority in the National Assembly, it is widely speculated that PPP may emerge as the kingmaker.

Islamabad, July 27: Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has emerged as the single largest party in the country’s general elections, with its candidates winning 110 seats amid rival political parties’ claim of “blatant rigging”. However, the party will now have to seek out allies to form a coalition government.

According to 95 per cent results released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) till 8:30 am, PTI has won 110 seats, followed by jailed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N which won 63 seats. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has won 42 seats. The official results on 19 seats are yet to be announced.

With the PTI falling short of the 137 seats needed for a majority in the National Assembly, it is widely speculated that PPP may emerge as the kingmaker.

Addressing the nation on Thursday night, Imran Khan gave a befitting reply on allegations of “blatant rigging” by PML-N and PPP, saying that he is ready for any kind of investigation into the claims.

“Anyone who has issues of rigging; we will help you facilitate and we will open up any constituency that you want for investigation. When we asked for probes, we were not facilitated but now we will do it differently,” he said.

The ECP has also rejected the “blatant” rigging allegations.

In an unusual pre-dawn press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Muhammad Raza Khan acknowledged that the delay in announcement of election results has “caused some annoyance”.

Asked about the doubts and the allegations, he said: “We will prove ourselves that we did our job right.”

“These elections were fair and we have not received any complaint. If anyone has proof, we will take action,” he asserted.

Khan, who is set to be the next prime minister, said Pakistan is ready to improve its ties with India and his government would like the leaders of the two sides to resolve all disputes, including the “core issue” of Kashmir, through talks.

“If they take one step towards us, we will take two, but at least (we) need a start,” Khan said, asserting that the blame game between the two neighbours, detrimental to the sub-continent, should stop.