With no clear winner from last week's general election in Pakistan, two major political parties are forming a coalition government. However, the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been excluded from the coalition despite winning the most seats.
The PTI has alleged widespread rigging and manipulation in the election and has decided to challenge the results in court. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, none of the three major parties, including the PTI, secured a majority to form a government.
In response to the electoral outcome, politicians from various parties have been engaging in intense negotiations to form a coalition government. One significant development is the announcement that Shahbaz Sharif, from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, is likely to be the candidate for prime minister. Shahbaz Sharif, the brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, previously served as the country's prime minister for two years. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, has also pledged support to the PML-N's candidate.
While the coalition government formation progresses, concerns arise regarding stability, especially considering the ongoing militant crisis and the country's dire economic situation. Pakistan is grappling with record inflation and economic hardship, prompting calls for urgent action to address these issues.
Despite being shut out of the coalition, the PTI has expressed its commitment to a peaceful resolution. The party's officials have emphasized their desire to avoid violent protests and instead focus on being a strong opposition voice within the government. They maintain that their mandate has been stolen and seek to represent the interests of their supporters.
The lead-up to the general election was marred by violence, including bombings and the killing of at least one candidate. In light of this, observers are keen to see how the coalition government will tackle these security challenges and work towards stability.
As Pakistan awaits the final formation of its coalition government, all eyes are on the PTI's response and their role as the leading opposition party. The nation hopes for a cohesive and effective government that can address its pressing issues, including security concerns and economic hardships.
