The vote count is underway in Pakistan’s most populous province of Punjab on Sunday for several by-elections with Imran Khan, who was ousted in April following a protracted political battle, leading Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government.
Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is leading in 16 of 20 seats, according to preliminary results reported by Geo TV. Pakistan’s main ruling government member hinted at a possible defeat, saying the party should accept the result with an open heart and address weaknesses, according to a Twitter post by leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
A victory for Khan’s PTI will give the former leader the renewed momentum to pressure the government to hold early elections as he touts popular support for his grievances. The next elections must be held by October 2023.
