Pakistan's coalition government agreement leaves Imran Khan's party out of power

Islamabad, Pakistan
CNN
—

Two of Pakistan's main political parties – the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) – said they would form a coalition government after last week's inconclusive elections.

This move means that the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan will not be in power, despite the independent candidates affiliated with it receiving the largest number of votes.

At a press conference in Lahore on Tuesday, former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of the PML-N and former President Asif Ali Zardari of the Pakistan Peoples Party, along with representatives of four other parties, announced that they would form a government together.

The PML-N also issued a statement that Shehbaz Sharif will be the party's candidate for the post of Prime Minister. Earlier on Tuesday, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his party would support the PTI's candidate for prime minister.

The Pakistan Peoples Party won 54 seats in last Thursday's elections, coming in third place behind independent candidates – most of whom were linked to former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which won 102 seats, and the Pakistan Muslim League, led by Pakistan. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who won 73 seats, according to the country's Election Commission.

None of the three main parties won enough seats to gain a majority in Parliament, and were therefore unable to form a government on their own.

Khan, who is currently imprisoned and banned from running in the elections, announced separately on Tuesday that independent candidates associated with his party would join the lesser-known Majlis-e-Wahdatul-Muslimeen party, which won just one seat. In Parliament

Khan also ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition with the Pakistan Peoples Party or the Pakistan Muslim League.

Khan's PTI party alleged widespread fraud in the elections and also issued a statement from Khan in which he said: “I warn against the failed venture of forming a government with stolen votes. Such daylight theft will not only be disrespectful to the citizens but will also drag down the country's economy.” To further decline.

Speaking at the press conference held on Tuesday, Asif Ali Zardari explained how the coalition was formed.

“Considering everything, we thought and decided to sit together. We contested the elections against each other, but despite that, it is not necessary.” [we fight] “Forever,” Zardari said.

Sharif took a conciliatory tone, saying: “Let us move forward by eliminating mutual differences for the sake of the nation.”

Bhutto Zardari also said that the PPP would form a committee to deliberate on the party's vote on important issues such as the national budget, election of the prime minister and important legislation.

He added that the party will also present its candidates for the positions of Speaker of the National Assembly, President of the Senate and President.

Under Pakistani law, Parliament must convene within 21 days after elections so lawmakers can take the oath and then elect a new prime minister.