NEW DELHI: With no clear winner emerging in
Pakistan
after two days of counting, efforts were afoot by both
Nawaz Sharif
's PML(N) and
Imran Khan
's PTI to cobble together a coalition government.
The wheelings and dealings for the government formation kicked off after the results indicated a hung Parliament in Pakistan, with candidates backed by Imran's PTI winning the most number of seats.
Notably, both Imran and PML(N)'s Nawaz Sharif have claimed victory in the polls and are talking about forming a government.
On Friday, Sharif, who is the Pakistan military's "pick", urged rival parties to join hands with him "to pull Pakistan out of its current difficulties."
The appeal comes as a surprise for many in Pakistan, especially the all-powerful military, who were expecting a PML(N) victory in the elections.
According to the current tally though, candidates backed by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have won 90-plus seats in the National Assembly in Thursday's election.
It was followed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with 73 seats, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with 54, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) with 17 and other seats going to smaller parties.
So far, the result of 255 seats out of 265 has been announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
To form a government, a party must win at least 133 seats out of 265 in the National Assembly. Election to one seat was postponed after the death of a candidate.
Overall, 169 seats are needed to secure a simple majority out of its total 336 seats, which include the reserved slots for women and minorities.
Sharif's pitch to independents
Nawaz Sharif, who has been a prime minister thrice, has already said that his party is ready to join hands with the independents “to steer the country out of the crisis”.
Sharif would require the support of independents or other parties to form a government since the numbers of both PML(N) and PPP - both former allies - are not enough to prove a majority.
PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 35, and his father Asif Ali Zardari held separate meetings with Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shehbaz to form a united front.
"Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif had a one-on-one meeting at Jati Umra in which both discussed forming a
coalition
government in Islamabad," a leader of Nawaz Sharif's party said on Saturday.
Separately, Shehbaz also telephoned JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and MQM head Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and discussed the prospects of the formation of the coalition government.
Thorny leadership issues
The sources said the major sticking point between the PML(N) and PPP is consensus on the name of the prime minister.
PPP senior leader Khursheed Shah said his party will not accept Nawaz Sharif as premier, adding that Bilawal would be the prime minister candidate from his party in case a coalition government is formed.
Sources said Shehbaz has emerged as a favourite for the slot of the premiership.
"Shehbaz is the favourite of the military establishment which feels much comfortable working with him. The new government set-up will be like that of PDM (an alliance formed against Imran Khan) style," they said.
Imran's party aims to form government
Meanwhile, candidates backed by Imran's party are also planning to form a government, a senior aide to the jailed politician said on Saturday.
He called on supporters to peacefully protest if final election results were not released. The
Gohar Khan, the chairman of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) party who also acts as the former premier's lawyer, called on "all institutions" in Pakistan to respect his party's mandate.
PTI central information secretary Raoof Hasan said the party had already started the consultation process on its future course of action.
However, he added, physical meetings have not been possible since most elected candidates are either in jail or underground.
Moreover, if the PTI-supported independents secure the remaining seats, they would be better positioned to negotiate with potential coalition partners. Among them are parties like the PML (Q), which were partners in the previous PTI government.
The PML (Q) secured three seats but faces internal rifts, with leader Pervaiz Elahi joining the PTI, leaving the party inclined towards supporting a PTI government.
PTI-backed independents, not contesting under a party symbol, must decide within three days whether to join a party, remain independent, or form a new group. Many lean towards supporting Imran Khan, currently in Adiala Jail.
However, independents lack eligibility for crucial reserved seats, unlike PML(N) and PPP, which anticipate a significant share of the 70 reserved seats for women and non-Muslims.
Pakistan's political landscape, with its checkered history, indicates the army's role will be pivotal in shaping the next government through political negotiations and deals.
(With inputs from PTI)
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