The political landscape of Pakistan is in a state of flux after the 2024 general elections resulted in a hung parliament, with no party securing a clear majority.
In a bid to form the next government, the PML-N has been reaching out to other parties and independent candidates for support. However, the party faces a major hurdle in the form of former president Asif Ali Zardari, who heads the PPP along with his son Bilawal. According to sources, Zardari has demanded that Bilawal be made the prime minister in return for the PPP’s support to the PML-N in the Centre and Punjab.
Zardari’s offer has put the PML-N in a dilemma, as the party does not want to give up the coveted slot of the prime minister, which it believes rightfully belongs to Shehbaz Sharif. The PML-N also fears losing its support base in Punjab, where it won 137 seats out of 297, if it agrees to Zardari’s terms. The PML-N has been ruling Punjab since 2008 and considers it its stronghold.
The PML-N has not officially responded to Zardari’s proposal, but sources say that the party is exploring other options to form a coalition with smaller parties, such as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP). The party is also in contact with some independent candidates who have won seats in the National Assembly and the provincial assemblies.
Meanwhile, the PTI, which claims to have the support of 116 independent candidates, has rejected the election results and accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of rigging the polls in favour of the PML-N. The party has announced a nationwide protest campaign to demand a re-election. The PTI’s ally, the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), has also joined the protest and called for the resignation of the ECP officials.
The ECP, however, has dismissed the allegations of rigging and said that it conducted the elections in a free, fair and transparent manner. The ECP has also invited all the parties to file their complaints and objections with evidence, and assured them of a swift and impartial resolution.
As the political uncertainty continues, the fate of the next government hangs in the balance. The ECP has given a deadline of February 20, 2024, for the parties to submit their final list of candidates for the reserved seats for women and minorities. The ECP has also announced that the first session of the newly elected National Assembly will be held on February 25, 2024, where the prime minister will be elected by a simple majority of the members present and voting.