Pakistan Parties Clash Over Premiership Amid Rejected Vote Rigging Allegations

By Asif Shahzad and Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s two largest political parties are currently negotiating who will lead as prime minister following last week’s indecisive election, which has compelled them to collaborate in forming a coalition in a parliament largely filled with independent members.

This disagreement raises further alarms about the stability of a nation grappling with significant economic challenges and a rise in militant activities.

On the first trading day after the election results were announced on February 8, Pakistan’s benchmark share index dropped by 3.4%.

Both former prime ministers, Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif, claimed victory on Friday. Independent candidates, reportedly backed by the incarcerated Khan, emerged as the largest group, securing 93 seats out of a total of 264 that have been confirmed.

However, Khan cannot assume the role of prime minister while in prison, and his faction is unable to form a government as they ran as independents due to Khan’s party being barred from participating.

Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is the largest recognized party with 75 seats, followed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who obtained 54 seats.

The two parties commenced formal discussions late Sunday to establish a coalition government. The PML-N described the initial meeting as "constructive,” with both parties expressing their commitment to prioritize the country’s interests.

Despite the progress in talks, officials from both parties noted that discussions have stalled over which leader would assume the prime ministerial role.

“A coalition is of interest to both sides; however, no breakthrough has occurred,” a senior PML-N source shared, remaining anonymous.

The PML-N has yet to announce its candidate for the prime ministerial position. Nevertheless, the source indicated that Shehbaz Sharif, 72, who previously held the office for 16 months until August, is the most likely choice. He is the younger brother of party founder Nawaz Sharif, 74, who has served as prime minister three times.

Should the party have achieved a clear majority, Nawaz Sharif would have been a probable candidate, the source added.

Another senior PML-N member stated that no decision had yet been made concerning their candidate.

To secure the prime minister position, a candidate must demonstrate a simple majority of 169 seats in the 336-member National Assembly when it convenes in the coming weeks. Among these, approximately 70 seats are allocated for women and minorities, distributed among parties on a proportional basis.

The PPP continues to advocate for Bilawal as prime minister, and if successful, he would become Pakistan’s youngest premier since his mother, Benazir Bhutto.

"Our party supports Bilawal for prime minister," PPP leader Faisal Karim Kundi stated, noting that independents are aligning with his party. "No one can form a government without us."

Some independent lawmakers, who were previously with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), may either align with either major party or form a coalition with smaller factions to counterbalance them, analysts predict. The PTI has refrained from commenting on the future plans of its lawmakers.

The election faced significant scrutiny due to a mobile internet blackout on voting day, as well as delays in announcing results, leading to accusations of manipulation and drawing criticism from human rights organizations and foreign governments.

Various political candidates and parties are calling for protests in response to the results, with PTI supporters obstructing traffic in Peshawar on Sunday.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar dismissed the allegations of vote-rigging, asserting that there was no interference with the results and that the election commission operated independently.

He reiterated that Pakistan would not explore allegations of electoral misconduct simply because some foreign governments have requested an inquiry, insisting that they have their own legal framework to address such issues.

The Election Commission of Pakistan attributed the delays in results to the mobile internet blackout.

In its initial response to the rigging allegations, the election commission firmly dismissed them. While acknowledging that isolated incidents may occur, it asserted that there are appropriate channels available to address any grievances.