As per the Election Commission of Pakistan’s data, the coalition spearheaded by Shehbaz Sharif, consisting of PML-N, PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, IPP, and BAP, has secured a total of 152 general seats. This indicates that they are poised to surpass the minimum requirement of 169 seats necessary to establish the central government, once the 60 women and 10 minority seats are factored into their count.
Yet, it remains uncertain whether these parties can reach the subsequent threshold of 224 seats, essential for attaining a two-thirds majority in the 336-member National Assembly.
Should the PTI-backed candidates opt to align with the Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), as per the party’s announcement, they would also gain representation in the women and minorities seats. However, given that MWM has secured only one seat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the PTI would solely be entitled to a portion of the 10 reserved seats designated for women from that particular province.
The PTI’s succinct reaction to these late-night developments came in the form of a photo of the six party leaders, tweeted from the party’s official X account with the caption: ‘Mandate thieves’.
Mr. Zardari, renowned for his knack for persuading even the most steadfast political adversaries, took the initiative to formally declare, “We are committed to steering Pakistan through challenging times.” He disclosed that the assembled political leaders had reached a consensus to collaborate in forming the government.
In a conciliatory gesture, which diverged from the stance adopted by his son Bilawal during the PPP Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting earlier in the day, he emphasized the necessity of reconciliation in the current political climate. He advocated for the inclusion of the PTI in this process of fence-mending.
