Pakistan this Saturday witnessed intense uncertainty as results rolled in from a highly contested general election. Three major blocs claimed most of the support, yet none held a clear majority to govern alone. The opposition and a large group of independents emerged as key players in the race, while Imran Khan remains a central figure despite his imprisonment in a military facility facing numerous legal challenges.
The Election Commission of Pakistan announced that a broad array of independent candidates captured the largest share of seats, positioning them as pivotal actors in the National Assembly. Imran Khan, once prime minister and now incarcerated with multiple cases on file, continues to influence the political landscape as his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, navigates a path through a hostile judicial and political environment. Consultant observers note that the independents hold a substantial portion of the 265 seats under consideration, though they still trail the 133 seats needed for an outright government. In this configuration, Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (N) trails with a tally around 73 seats, while Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party is positioned with about 53 seats.
possible alliance
The prospect of a coalition between Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N and Bhutto-Zardari’s PPP began to take shape this Saturday when the two leaders held talks in the morning, joined by Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto-Zardari’s father. Observers note that an alliance would require the attendance of several minor parties to reach a governing majority, given that PML-N and PPP together hold roughly 126 seats. The exact makeup of the minor party contingent remains a critical factor as negotiations unfold.
In the past, PML-N and PPP formed a caretaker government after Khan was removed from office in 2022 through a no-confidence vote. Ahead of these elections, Bhutto-Zardari indicated she would not participate in a Sharif-led coalition, which complicates any immediate power-sharing scenario. Still, the final outcome hinges on the 15 unresolved seats and the decisions of smaller parties that could swing the balance. A PML-N spokesperson emphasized ongoing outreach to PPP leaders and other minor parties with the aim of forming a stable government as soon as possible.
We are in contact with leaders of PPP and other minor parties. We are asking them to join us to form the government and hope to reach a conclusion soon, said the PML-N spokesperson to EFE.
Independents
The independents are largely men aligned with Khan and his PTI, a party that ran as independents after a Supreme Court decision disrupted its organizational structure. The party’s election symbol was reassigned a month before voting, affecting campaign dynamics and voter recognition.
Although PTI members registered as independents, they are counted as a single bloc due to their loyalty to Khan and the party. In recent days Khan released a video message to supporters, a digitally produced clip that aired with AI-generated footage resembling the former cricket star who now headlines a political bid. The message claimed a two-thirds victory in the 2024 elections, a claim later recognized as a manipulated recording crafted from leaked material from last August. Independent observers and media outlets noted the artificial nature of the clip and warned of misinformation campaigns ahead of and after the vote.
With the electoral map shifting, all eyes turn to Khan and PTI as they insist they will not form alliances with rival blocs. They project strength from the independents and key allies, while asserting that results were unfairly skewed against their camp. PTI members have voiced plans to file a substantial number of petitions challenging what they describe as manipulated outcomes, signaling a litigious approach to contested seats in the National Assembly.
The electoral performance of Khan’s allies surprised many observers, who had expected a weakened opposition due to legal actions, party dissolution, and past political pressure. The reality on the ground shows a more resilient opposition capable of securing significant parliamentary presence despite the challenges facing Khan and his party.