LAHORE, Pakistan – The jailed former Pakistani prime minister, Imran Khan, has declared victory in Thursday’s general election and has urged his supporters to celebrate. Independent candidates associated with him have won the majority of the declared seats so far, but another former PM, Nawaz Sharif, claims that his party has emerged as the largest and is calling for others to join him in a coalition.
No party seems to be on track to win an overall majority, as the final results are still pending. Imran Khan, currently in jail on what he claims are politically motivated charges, posted an AI-generated victory speech on X, claiming a “landslide victory” for his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, despite what he has called a crackdown on his party.
The unexpected success of PTI-linked candidates has led to questions, as most experts believed that Nawaz Sharif was the clear favorite, backed by the country’s powerful military. The PTI, while not recognized as an official party in the election, has seen a surge in support, leading to a situation of political horse-trading to form a government.
Meanwhile, the UK and US have voiced concerns over electoral freedoms in the election, with the British Foreign Secretary expressing regret that not all parties were permitted to contest the elections.
Voters in Lahore have reported internet blackouts on polling day, affecting their ability to access information and coordinate transportation to polling stations, leading to criticisms about restrictions on access to information and the rule of law.
The support of the military is seen as crucial to succeed politically in Pakistan, with analysts noting that despite past differences, Mr. Sharif and his party currently have their backing.
With almost half of the registered voters under the age of 35, the election has shown a “belief in the democratic process,” according to Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, Maleeha Lodhi, as the country grapples with its worst economic crisis.