8 independent MPS to back Imran Khan’s bid to form govt
Pakistan Tehreekeinsaf is confident of forming govt both at the centre and in Punjab
ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) has secured the support of eight independent members of parliament, yet leaving the party short of the 137 seats needed to form the country’s next government.
The Election Commission declared that the PTI won 116 out of the 270 seats in Wednesday’s elections. The Pakistan Muslim League-nawaz (PML-N) secured 64, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won 43 and independent candidates carried 13. The voter turnout was 51.85%, said commission spokesperson Nadeem Qasim. Several candidates have filed objections to the results and demanded recounts, which are underway in many National Assembly constituencies as well as in provincial seats.
The PTI is confident it would form the government both at the centre and in Punjab province. PTI won 123 provincial assembly seats in Punjab, but PML-N is narrowly ahead with 127 seats. PML-Q won seven seats, while PPP bagged six.
Five independent candidates who agreed to support PTI in Punjab Assembly reached Islamabad from Multan through a special aircraft. The announcement of their induction is expected soon.
But allegations of partiality by the Election Commission continue to mount. Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s petition for a recount in his NA-57 Murree constituency was rejected on Saturday by the returning officer. Abbasi lost his home constituency and allegations of rigging were hurled by PML-N workers after they were stopped from interfering in the counting process.
For its part, PPP while rejecting election results, demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner but at the same time said it would sit in parliament.