Initial Results Show Tight Race Amid Violence and Delays; New Government Faces Economic and Security Challenges
Initial results from the Pakistan election reveal a close contest between Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party-backed independent candidates and Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), particularly in Punjab, a stronghold of the PML-N. As counting commenced after Thursday’s polling, PTI-supported candidates were seen leading in several constituencies across the country, posing a significant challenge to the established political order.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier stripped Imran Khan’s party of its electoral symbol over procedural lapses, compelling it to field independent candidates. Polling, which began at 8:00 AM and continued until 5:00 PM without interruption, witnessed sporadic violence in some areas, although the overall voter turnout remains undisclosed.
Private TV channels reported a neck-and-neck competition between PML-N and PTI-backed candidates in Punjab, where nearly half of the National Assembly seats are allocated. Notably, in Lahore’s NA-130 constituency, PTI-backed independent candidate Dr. Yasmin Rashid maintained a lead over PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif, while in NA-123, Sharif’s brother Shehbaz Sharif was ahead of his rivals.
Elsewhere, PTI vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s daughter, Meher Bano Qureshi, running as an independent candidate, led in NA-151 (Multan), underscoring the diverse electoral landscape.
However, PTI has alleged delays in the announcement of results after their candidate’s emergence. Reports of disruptions in the offices of returning officers have surfaced, raising concerns over the transparency of the electoral process.
Amidst the electoral fervor, security concerns loomed large, with mobile services suspended due to the “deteriorating security situation” following twin terror attacks in Balochistan province. Despite challenges, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar praised the “successful conduct” of “free and fair” elections, emphasizing the deployment of nearly 650,000 security personnel to ensure peace.
As the nation awaits the official results, economic and security challenges await the incoming government. Pakistan’s economy narrowly avoided default last year with a short-term loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but experts warn of the urgent need for a new IMF program with stricter conditions. Additionally, Pakistan’s fight against terrorism faces renewed challenges, with resurgent militant groups posing a significant threat.
Whoever emerges victorious in the polls will inherit a daunting task of navigating these challenges, amidst a backdrop of political turbulence and uncertainty.