The former Pakistani prime minister's party and its allies announced that they would form a coalition government after the elections failed to elect a single party.
Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), and the co-chairs of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), father and son, Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, agreed to the deal that would put an end to the hung parliament. .
It is widely believed that Sharif's brother, Shehbaz Sharif, will be the candidate for prime minister.
Sharif welcomed the support of the Pakistan People's Party and other parties, saying they all came together because they needed to confront many challenges, especially the economy.
The country, with a population of 241 million people, is facing an economic crisis amid slow growth and record inflation, in addition to escalating armed violence.
Members of a polling crew count votes in Peshawar, Pakistan. Photo: AP
The PML-N is the largest recognized party in the country, with 80 seats, and the Pakistan Peoples Party is in second place with 54 seats.
Together, the two parties have enough to gain a simple majority in the 264-seat legislature.
“We have decided to form a government together to get Pakistan out of the crisis,” Zardari said on Tuesday.
Photo: Reuters
This development came hours after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf – the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan – refused to hold any talks with political rivals.
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Khan who is currently serving Multiple prison terms Due to his conviction on corruption charges and violating the marriage law, he was disqualified from running in the February 8 elections, which saw the PTI win 92 seats.
Although this made them the largest group, they were unable to form a government after running as individuals rather than as a party.
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The PTI later claimed that the vote was rigged to prevent it from obtaining a majority, an accusation denied by election officials.
Under the constitution, Pakistani President Arif Alvi will now convene the inaugural session of the National Assembly before February 29 so that politicians can take the oath of office.
Parliament will later elect a new prime minister.
