On Friday, former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif claimed victory in the National Elections 2024. He said that his political party has emerged as the largest and will discuss forming a coalition government. However, he did not reveal how many seats his political party had won. Counting was still underway in the last few of the 265 seats that went to the elections.
Interestingly, on Friday, jailed ex-Pakistan premier Imran Khan’s party-backed independent candidates sprung a surprise by winning 86 seats out of the 201 results announced. Pakistan appears to be heading towards a hung assembly. The general election was marred by allegations of rigging, sporadic violence, and a countrywide mobile phone shutdown.
This election encompassed contests for 265 of the 266 seats in the national assembly, underscoring the significance of each win in the race to secure a simple majority of 133 seats. The elections are being held amid a severe economic crisis in a starkly polarised political setup.
As world watches counting of votes, here are latest updates from Pakistan:
Former Economics Minister Hammad Azhar tweets on X questioning the internet shutdown in the country, “So why exactly are the phone networks not switching on now? Which security situation is in danger now? That of false trends fed on TV?”
In a video shared by PPP leader Saeed Ghani informed that workers of Irfanullah Marwat took four books of ballot papers at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Girls College in Karachi’s PS-105. He said the “goons” halted vote counting by seizing the polling station.
MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar denied rumors of an attack on his life, confirming his safety in his election office, according to The Dawn. In a video shared by journalist Naimat Khan, Sattar dismissed reports of injury, stating, “These rumors about my car being attacked and me being injured are untrue. They’re spreading fake news to cause panic.”
A nationwide public holiday was declared to facilitate over 120 million voters in casting their ballots. While the designated voting time concluded, individuals already present within the polling station premises were permitted to vote. The polling percentage remains undisclosed at this time.
Suspending telecommunications and mobile internet services on election days constitutes a direct assault on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, says Amnesty International
🇵🇰The decision to suspend telecommunications and mobile internet services on an election day is a blunt attack on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Amnesty International calls on the Pakistan authorities to urgently lift the blanket restrictions on access…
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) February 8, 2024
Hello and welcome to our live coverage on Pakistan General Elections 2024. Marred by internet blackouts, the polling began at 8 am today and concluded at 5 pm. While Nawaz Sharif is confident of thumping victory, Bilawal Bhutto is leading from Lahore, Dawn reports.