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- February 11, 2024
- Kainat Shakeel
- 0
Following the general elections of 2024, which left the parliament hung and no party with a clear majority, Pakistan’s political landscape is currently in turmoil. Seeking cooperation from other political parties and independent candidates, the PML-N is attempting to create the next government. Though Asif Ali Zardari, the father of the PPP, and his son Bilawal lead the organization, the party faces a significant obstacle. The PPP’s backing of the PML-N in the Centre and Punjab has been demanded by Zardari in exchange for Bilawal becoming prime minister, according to sources.
The PML-N is in a difficult position as a result of Zardari’s offer since they feel that Shehbaz Sharif should be the prime minister and cannot give it up. In addition, the PML-N worries that if it accepts Zardari’s demands, it will lose the support base in Punjab, where it won 137 seats out of 297. Since taking power in Punjab in 2008, the PML-N views the province as one of its strongholds.
Though sources claim that the PML-N is considering other options to create a coalition with smaller parties like the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), the party has not formally reacted to Zardari’s suggestion. A few independent candidates who have been elected to the National Assembly and provincial assemblies are also in contact with the party.
In the meantime, the PTI, which asserts to be supported by 116 independent candidates, has disapproved of the election outcomes and charged that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) manipulated the results to benefit the PML-N. To seek reelection, the party has organized a nationwide protest campaign. A supporter of the PTI, the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), has also joined the demonstration and demanded that the ECP officials resign.