ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Two major political parties in Pakistan have come to a formal agreement to form a new government after a contentious election. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) will be backed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in a new administration. Both parties won fewer seats than candidates loyal to jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan on 8 February. Mr. Khan’s PTI party has accused the coalition of being “mandate thieves” and alleges that the election was rigged.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardaro, chairman of the PPP, stated that the coalition’s aim is to address the country’s economic crisis. The leader of PMLN, Shahbaz Sharif, pledged “collective action to tackle economic and other challenges.”
The agreement means Mr. Sharif is on course to become prime minister for a second time with the backing of the junior coalition partner, while Asif Ali Zardari of the PPP will be the coalition’s candidate to become president. The process for electing the prime minister involves a parliamentary vote, expected by the end of February, and a separate election to decide the next president will be held in the coming weeks.
The contentious parliamentary election earlier this month failed to produce a conclusive result. Despite Mr. Khan being behind bars and his candidates forced to run as independents, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the single largest bloc in a shock result, but their 93 seats fell short of the overall majority of 169 needed to form a government.
The PTI is challenging the election outcome in the courts, and its supporters have staged protests across the country. Social media has been disrupted across the country amid protests, with access to some platforms remaining restricted. The coalition government will face numerous challenges as it attempts to address the economic and political issues facing Pakistan.