Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and PPP President Asif Ali Zardari held a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday. The two parties have agreed “in principle to save the country from political instability.”

The PML-N, which is all set to form the coalition government in Pakistan along with the PPP, on Sunday managed to secure the support of the first independent candidate backed by Imran Khan’s party to increase its strength in Parliament. (PTI)

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Waseem Qadir, the candidate backed by Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who emerged victorious in Lahore’s NA-121 constituency, has officially joined Nawaz Sharif’s party Pakistan Muslim League (N), Geo News reported.

In a video shared by the party, Qadir, standing alongside PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz, declared, “I have come back to my home.”

“Waseem Qadir, the successful independent candidate from National Assembly Constituency NA-121 Lahore, officially announced his joining of Pakistan Muslim League (N),” said PML-N in a post on X.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Pakistan courts have been flooded with petitions by losing candidates who challenged the provisional results in their constituencies within days after the highly polarised general elections in the country, it emerged on Sunday.

Though Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the single largest party in the February 8 elections, the number of independent candidates, a vast majority of them backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, were the single largest block of winners.

The PTI claimed that its supported candidates have won the maximum number of seats but the results were manipulated to deprive it of the majority, and in order to turn the tide, its losing candidates have thronged the courts.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Police used tear gas to scatter supporters of imprisoned former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on Sunday, following his party’s call for protests outside election offices, alleging rigging in last week’s national vote.

Clashes erupted in Rawalpindi, south of the capital, and Lahore in the east, while numerous other demonstrations occurred across the country without notable incidents. Law enforcement had previously issued warnings of strict actions against unauthorized gatherings, with no immediate reports of injuries resulting from the protests.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Imran Khan’s PTI is facing difficulties in independently forming the government after hung results. Nawaz Sharif has already started reaching out to major parties for a coalition, and he received support from the influential Pakistan Army for a unity government.

The Express Tribune quoted Ahmed Bilal Mehboob from the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), saying that PTI appears unable to form a government independently. Mehboob explained that PTI might need to ally with major political parties like PML-N or PPP since it lacks the required numbers for a majority in the lower house of Parliament.

He detailed what would occur if PTI-affiliated independent candidates seek to rejoin PTI during the three-day post-election period. According to him, it is possible, but he emphasised that the process would be lengthy. It is mandatory for the party that independent candidates wish to join to have a party symbol.

PTI candidates contested as independents due to the Supreme Court and Election Commission of Pakistan’s directive not to use the party symbol, a cricket bat. Therefore, if they aim to rejoin PTI, the party must conduct intra-party elections to regain its symbol or choose a different one, Mehboob said.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) alleges that the results for at least 18 National Assembly seats were “falsely changed” by election officers, as reported by Dawn.

PTI’s Secretary General, Omar Ayub, claimed that these seats, rightfully won by PTI, are being tampered with by corrupt bureaucrats.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Securing 75 seats, Nawaz Sharif’s party may strike a deal with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which holds 53 seats. Together with smaller parties, they could form a coalition government.

In this arrangement, either Sharif or his brother may become the prime minister, and crucial roles are shared among different parties.

Notably, these two parties had previously governed together for 16 months until August, with Bhutto Zardari as the foreign minister and Sharif’s brother, Shehbaz, as the prime minister.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE:

• Independent candidates affiliated with Imran Khan’s PTI secure 93 out of 265 National Assembly seats.

• Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N wins 75 seats in the National Assembly.

• Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) secures 53 seats in the National Assembly.

• Karachi-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) of Urdu-speaking people who migrated from India during partition, got 17 seats.

• Election to one seat was postponed after the death of a candidate.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: “We aim to establish a strong alliance at the centre, ensuring representation from all provinces to strengthen the federation and Pakistan,” Azam Nazeer Tarar, former law minister and PML-N leader told reporter, reported Dawn.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Independent candidates supported by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party have secured 93 out of 265 National Assembly seats, as per the final results tally from the election commission.

Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has won 75 seats, and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has secured 53.

The next step involves a prime ministerial candidate demonstrating a simple majority of 169 seats in the National Assembly. The Assembly comprises 336 seats, with 266 determined through direct voting, and 70 reserved seats allocated based on each party’s strength in the house.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Pakistan’s national election concluded without any party securing a parliamentary majority, marked by militant violence, political upheaval, and transparency concerns.

Former prime ministers and rivals, Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, both claimed victory, heightening uncertainty in a country grappling with urgent challenges.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: The independents encounter a drawback in their efforts to establish a government as they are not qualified to be assigned any of the parliament’s 70 reserved seats, which are distributed based on the party’s strength in the final tally. Sharif’s party could secure as many as 20 of these seats.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: PML-N’s Punjab spokesperson, Uzma Bukhari, expressed confidence that her party could form a government in Punjab independently, saying “God willing, under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, the path towards progress and development in Punjab will restart,” In a video shared on her party’s official X handle, She said that no other party in Punjab could rival PML-N’s victory.

Regarding Advocate Salman Akram Raja’s petition against Awn Chaudhry of the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party in the Lahore High Court, Bukhari deemed it “unjustified,” suggesting that such matters should be addressed through election tribunals instead.

Bukhari accused PTI members of disseminating false victory messages on WhatsApp and to the media, only to later complain about rigging when faced with no other option. She asserted, “PML-N is a responsible party; we do not engage in deceit or propaganda.”

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai addressed the media in Quetta, stating that the postponement of numerous election outcomes in Balochistan is attributed to logistical challenges, as reported by Dawn.

“When it’s freezing cold in some areas, it’s natural that results will be delayed because of logistical issues,” he said. “Even the election commission has said this.”

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced that it will launch protests in Manchester and Washington DC in the US against the ‘election fraud’ that led to delayed results of the general elections held on February 8.

The party’s official handle took to X on Sunday to announce the protests, stating that they will initiate protests in Washington DC on Sunday and in Manchester on Monday.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Sadar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasir, representing the Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N, has clinched victory on the NA-252 seat from Balochistan, securing 53,783 votes as per preliminary results Dawn reported quoting the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The closest contender is independent candidate Sardar Babar Khan Musakhel, who garnered 52,992 votes and finished as the runner-up.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: President of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) Punjab, Rana Sanaullah, stated that independents in 5 National Assembly and 1 Punjab Assembly seats have decided to join Nawaz Sharif led PML-N.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced its intention to form the government both at the national level and in the provinces of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. They urged the election body to release complete election results by midnight or face protests in areas where results were still pending, according to news agency PTI.

Shortly after issuing this statement, PTI party workers in Peshawar and Karachi began loud protests, chanting slogans and waving party flags.

Two days after the polling, the election results remained incomplete, leading the country towards a potential hung Parliament or coalition government.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Former federal minister Firdous Ashiq Awan and 10 others have been charged for disrupting the polling process and ‘slapping’ a policeman who was on security duty at a polling station in Sialkot on February 8, according to a Dawn report.

As per the filed FIR quoted by the Dawn, which was based on a complaint from Amjad Ali, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Sialkot Sadar police station, the incident occurred while the complainant was performing election duties at the Government Boys High School Gana Kalan polling station on the voting day.

It further said that Firdous Ashiq Awan, a candidate of the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) from National Assembly Constituency NA-70, arrived at the polling station accompanied by her supporters and allegedly began unlawfully interfering in the polling process.

The complainant mentioned that when he requested the IPP leader to refrain from interfering in the polling process, she reportedly slapped him and used derogatory language against him, Dawn report added.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: PTI leader Hammad Azhar has urged civil servants to uphold loyalty to the Constitution and the people of Pakistan by abstaining from involvement in post-election rigging.

In a video message he posted on X Hammad emphasised the expectation that civil servants and police officers refrain from participating in or facilitating election rigging, labelling such actions as egregious crimes. He urged against committing such acts.

Hammad called for the immediate resignation of the Punjab police inspector general, alleging that, under their supervision, numerous homes were raided, individuals were killed in police custody, and many innocent people were unjustly imprisoned.

The PTI leader commended returning officers and district police heads who refused to engage in rigging, asserting that they are safeguarding the people of Pakistan’s mandate.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Pakistan President Arif Alvi, addressing the ongoing delay in the general election results, stated that if Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) had been used, the current election crisis could have been avoided.

“Remember ‘our’ long struggle for Electronic Voting Machines. EVM had paper ballots that could be counted separately by hand (like it is being done today) BUT it also had a simple electronic calculator/counter of each vote button pressed. Totals of every candidate would have been available & printed within five minutes of closing of poll. The entire effort that included more than 50 meetings at the Presidency alone was scuttled. Had EVMs been there today, my dear beloved Pakistan would have been spared this crisis,” he wrote on X.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Pakistan with a population of 241 million, cast their votes on February in the general elections amidst ongoing economic challenges, militant violence, and significant political polarisation.

As the country awaits the release of election results, the former Prime Minister and jailed Imran Khan’s PTI has urged for a nationwide protest on Sunday to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. Independent candidates currently hold the lead with 100 seats. Read all the latest updates here

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari is set to hold significant meetings in Lahore and Islamabad on Sunday to discuss the details of their proposed coalition, as reported by Dawn.

A delegation from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is also currently in Lahore, responding to the invitation from the PML-N to discuss their strategies following the elections.

Refuting speculations, PPP leaders said “no decision had been made regarding joining a PML-N-led coalition.” They highlighted ongoing assessments of election results and the changing political landscape, as reported by Dawn.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari reiterated the party’s commitment to constructive politics, emphasising its presence in all four provinces and its significant role in potential government formations.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Aleema Khan, sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, said that PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif’s premature declaration of victory in the polls is an “insult to Pakistanis,” as reported by Dawn citing Sky News.

She asserts that independents hold a two-thirds majority and thus have the right to govern.

In an interview with Sky News, Aleema stated that her brother initiated a revolution in Pakistan from prison on February 8th. “He [Imran] sent out a very clear instruction that you have to go out, protest outside the returning offices and recover your seats. The ones that have been stolen,” she said.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Here is what PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said about reports on coalition government,

• PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed initial consultations between Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Zardari, emphasising that both leaders would seek input from their respective parties regarding coalition-building, ANI reported citing a Pakistan TV channel.

• Responding to inquiries about potential engagement with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) or its independent allies, Aurangzeb clarified, “The PML-N has no intention of engaging with PTI independents.”

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Here are the updates on reports of ‘coalition government formation’ by Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s PPP,

• Following the recent elections, both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are actively pursuing avenues to establish governments in the Centre, Punjab, and Balochistan, according to Dawn.

• Both parties are proceeding cautiously, keeping their strategies guarded while delicately negotiating the details of a potential power-sharing agreement.

• Today, PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari is set to hold significant meetings in Lahore and Islamabad to discuss the specifics of their proposed coalition, as reported by Dawn.

• Dawn also reported that after the polls, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif hinted at the formation of a national unity government similar to the PDM alliance. He entrusted his brother and former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with the task of initiating consultations for government formation..

• A senior PML-N official said, “The PML-N leadership explored the prospect of supporting the PPP to form the federal government, focusing on Punjab, where Shehbaz Sharif holds a substantial majority.”

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Three recently elected Independent members of the National Assembly declared their intention to align with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as reported by ANI citing The Express Tribune.

As per the report, Barrister Aqeel, Raja Khurram Nawaz, and Mian Khan Bugti have formally announced their decision to join the PML-N, bolstering the party’s increasing number of elected representatives in the National Assembly.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, PTI lawyer Umair Khan Niazi stated, “PTI founder Imran Khan has decided to establish the government at the Centre and in the provinces of KP and Punjab after the victory of his symbol-less party,” as reported by Dawn.

According to Niazi, who is also the newly-elected MNA from Imran Khan’s hometown of Mianwali, the PTI leader has urged the authorities not to allow Nawaz Sharif to form a coalition government because “this experiment did not work in the past.”

Niazi emphasised that Imran is prepared to initiate a transition for political stability and the future of the country. The lawyer added that defeated PTI candidates, allegedly through rigging, have been instructed by the party founder to hold protests in their constituencies on Sunday to denounce the apparent rigging.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: The Election Commission of Pakistan has directed re-polling in over 40 polling stations following accusations of rigging, Dawn reported The re-polling is scheduled to occur on February 15th.

According to an ECP spokesperson quoted by Dawn, re-polling will occur at 26 polling stations of NA-88 after reports emerged of a mob setting fire to polling materials at the returning officer’s office. This re-polling is scheduled for February 15.

Similarly, re-polling in PS-18, prompted by the alleged confiscation of polling materials by unidentified individuals, is also set for February 15.

Likewise, re-polling is planned for 25 polling stations of PK-90 due to damage inflicted on polling materials by terrorists, as stated by the ECP.

Additionally, the ECP has requested a report from the district regional officer within three days regarding the purported vandalism at one polling station of NA-242 (Karachi Keamari-I).

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, a Republican member, has praised the extensive participation of Pakistanis in this week’s elections and affirmed the United States’ support for the Pakistani people’s right to a democratically elected government.

“I applaud the people of #Pakistan for widespread participation in this week’s elections. Free and fair elections are a fundamental cornerstone of any democracy and must be protected,” he wrote on X.

“Any allegations of corruption or fraud must be fully investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable. The United States supports the right of the Pakistani people to a democratically elected government that respects the rule of law and human rights,” he added.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: In light of accusations of rigging in the Pakistan general elections by independent candidates, General Syed Asim Munir, the country’s army chief, said on Saturday that a unified government comprising all democratic forces, reflecting the diverse polity and pluralism, will serve the nation’s collective interests, as reported by The Express Tribune.

“Pakistan’s diverse polity and pluralism will be well-represented by a unified government of all democratic forces imbibed with national purpose. Elections and democracy are means to serve people of Pakistan and not ends in themselves,” the army chief said, as per the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The army chief emphasised the necessity of a stable government, highlighting the importance of transitioning away from divisive politics and polarisation, which he stated are not conducive to a progressive nation with a population of 250 million.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Gohar Ali Khan on Saturday claimed “President Arif Alvi would invite his party to form the government as they had gotten a majority in the National Assembly,” Geo News reported.

“We have no quarrel with anyone, we want to move forward. We will proceed and form a government in accordance with the constitution and the law,” Gohar Khan said addressing the media in Islamabad.

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s victory in Lahore’s NA-130 constituency has been challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC), news agency ANI reported.

• Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo, emerged victorious in the NA-130 constituency during the recent Pakistan general elections. He secured a substantial victory with over 172,000 votes, defeating Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independent candidate Yasmin Rashid, who received over 113,000 votes.

• However, Sharif experienced a significant setback in the NA-15 Mansehra constituency, where he suffered defeat to independent candidate Shahzada Gastasap. Sharif garnered 63,054 votes, while Gastasap secured 74,713 votes, leading to Sharif’s loss in the seat.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan election results 2024 LIVE: Amid the turmoil in Pakistan following delayed election outcomes, there are emerging reports suggesting that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates are either leading or securing victories. Allegations of electoral rigging have surfaced, prompting some candidates to seek recourse through the courts.

According to ARY News quoted by news agency ANI, there are expectations of additional candidates approaching high courts in the coming days, alleging manipulation of votes. Additionally, independent candidates associated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have filed petitions in the Lahore High Court (LHC), contesting the results in constituencies PP-164 and NA-118, where Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz, a father-son duo, emerged victorious.

PPP chairperson and ex-foreign minister says there has been ‘no official conversation’ with either PML-N or PTI over government formation.

“I am in no position to confirm any meeting. When all the results are in front of us, we will be in a position to engage with others. We don’t know the whole count nor have independents announced their decisions. No government will be able to solve the public’s problems without addressing the political toxicity,” he told Geo News.

Three newly-elected independent candidates – Barrister Aqeel, Raja Khurram Nawaz, and Mian Khan Bugti – have joined the PML-N. They won from NA-54, 48, and 253, respectively.

The party, which was forced to field its candidates as independents after the poll body did not allow it to use its bat symbol, has called for ‘peaceful protests’ across the country at 2 pm to protect the ‘sanctity of the vote.’

PTI-backed independent candidates have also started moving high courts, alleging rigged poll counts.