Candidates supported by Imran Khan in Pakistan elections emerge as frontrunners in final results

After Pakistan's general election, independent candidates supported by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's PTI party have emerged as the front-runners, according to the final results. Out of the National Assembly seats, independents secured 101, with analysis by the BBC showing that 93 of them belonged to PTI-backed candidates. This places them ahead of ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's PMLN, which won 75 seats. The formation of the government remains uncertain as independent candidates who did not win have filed multiple vote-rigging allegations in court. Both the PTI and PMLN have expressed their intentions to form the next government. The outcome surprised many since Sharif's party, perceived to have military backing, was expected to win, especially considering that Khan had been jailed on various charges and his party was barred from participating in the election. To govern, a candidate must demonstrate that they are leading a coalition with a simple majority of 169 seats in the National Assembly. Bilawal Bhutto from the PPP, the third-largest voting recipient, has stated that his party has had no formal discussions with PTI or PMLN. However, PMLN confirmed that Bhutto's father informally met with Sharif's brother in Lahore. Out of the National Assembly's 366 seats, 266 are decided through direct voting, while 70 are reserved for women and non-Muslims based on each party's strength in the assembly. Independent candidates are not eligible for reserved seats under Pakistan's regulations. In anticipation of protests, police blocked roads near the electoral commission building in Rawalpindi, and authorities in Islamabad promised to take action against demonstrators. The PTI chairman called for peaceful protests outside electoral commission offices over concerns about manipulated results. On the previous day, Sharif, who is believed to be preferred by the military, urged other parties to join him in forming a unity government. Experts have expressed concerns that Pakistan may face a prolonged period of political instability. Farzana Shaikh from the Chatham House think tank warned that the PTI-associated independents were unlikely to be permitted to form a government, and there were fears of a fragile and unstable coalition if Sharif and the PPP collaborated. While at least six unsuccessful PTI-backed candidates have filed legal challenges in an attempt to contest the results, Pakistani officials have denied any irregularities.