Independent candidates affiliated to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice/PTI), the party of former prime minister, Imran Khan, won 95 of 264 seats. This puts it in the lead, ahead of Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) in second place. However, with 75 seats, PML-N is the largest single party in the national assembly.
It's reasonable to argue that Pakistan hasn't exactly had the best history of implementing democracy. No elected prime minister has served out their entire tenure. The duration of military rule over the nation is almost equal to that of civilian rule. Furthermore, the armed forces have traditionally controlled the nation's politics in the background.
Months prior to February 8th, when voters were expected to cast their ballots, there were several accusations that the election would be manipulated. Khan, who is still quite popular, was not allowed to participate in the election and was recently jailed three times, putting him in prison. His party locked up or otherwise persecuted and intimidated a number of its candidates.
PTI candidates are not permitted to use a cricket bat as their electoral symbol, according to the Pakistani Election Commission. In a nation with vast rural constituencies and a high voter turnout rate, they faced an obstacle in having to campaign as independents with distinct symbols.
The interior ministry shut down data and mobile service as voting began, citing the need to "maintain law and order" in the wake of several terrorist acts in the days preceding the election. Due to the internet blackout, many urban voters were unable to make plans with other family members or reserve cabs to vote. 28 individuals were killed in violence on election day.
Independent candidates who were in line with PTI were leading the field once the results began to come in. Following that, there were lengthy delays in processing and disclosing additional results, which raised concerns among PTI supporters that the military, whom they believed was out to stifle Khan's party, would tamper with the results.
Political unrest has resulted from the elections despite military meddling. In the background, Sharif and the PML-N are discussing a power-sharing agreement with the Pakistan People Party (PPP) of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Additionally, and with some success, he hopes to co-opt some of Khan's PTI-backed candidates.
Pakistan has a history of disregarding the wishes of the voting public. The PPP won 87 out of 138 seats in West Pakistan and the Awami League won 167 out of 169 seats in East Pakistan in December 1970, during the nation's first direct national election. As a result of these outcomes, the Awami League was declared the clear winner to rule all of Pakistan.
But the national assembly was delayed, which sparked demonstrations, a civil war, and ultimately a national division and the end of the divided period. Whereas West Pakistan remained Pakistan, East Pakistan became Bangladesh.
Pakistan has a track record of disobeying popular voting decisions. In December 1970, at the country's first direct national election, the PPP won 87 out of 138 seats in West Pakistan and the Awami League won 167 out of 169 seats in East Pakistan. These results proved to be decisive, with the Awami League being proclaimed the eventual winner to govern all of Pakistan.
However, the postponement of the national assembly led to protests, a civil war, a national divide, and the end of the divided era. East Pakistan became Bangladesh, while West Pakistan stayed Pakistan.
In addition, Pakistan will have to use its depreciating currency to pay back its enormous external debt of $US77.5 billion over the course of the next three years. Pakistan's rupee hit a record low of 299 to the dollar in August 2023.
An increasing number of Pakistanis are making dangerous trips out of their country due to economic difficulties and lack of opportunities at home. Particularly young people are being pressured to relocate in search of a better life, sometimes with lethal results. Over 300 Pakistani migrants perished in June 2023 when an overcrowded fishing boat capsized off the coast of Greece.
