After many dramas, results of all the constituencies of Pakistan's national elections have been announced. It showed that no party got a single majority. As a result, forming a coalition government is now the only way.
Citing sources, Pakistan-based media Geo News reported in a report on Sunday (February 11) that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif told the party leaders that there has been a big progress in forming a coalition government with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). But the condition is that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto should be made Prime Minister. In return, PPP will support PML-N to form the government in Punjab.
The report also said that former President Asif Ali Zardari has proposed Benazir's son Bilawal Bhutto as Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, another source said, a meeting of the PML-N leadership was held on Saturday (February 10). Shehbaz Sharif presided over that meeting. Also present were Ishaq Dar, Khwaja Saad Rafiq, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Maryam Aurangzeb, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Azam Nazir Tara, Ataullah Tara, Khawaja Imran Nazir and others.
The PML-N president discussed various options for government formation in the meeting.
It is thought that the leaders of PPP and PML-N can discuss the proposed alliance formation process on Sunday (February 11).
Meanwhile, MQM-P party representatives are in Lahore at the invitation of PML-N to decide the post-election strategy. The day after the election, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif hinted at the formation of a government of national unity. He then directed his brother and former Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to start talks with other parties to form the government.
Meanwhile, in an interview given to a private TV channel, PML-N spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb said that initial stage discussions have taken place between Shahbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari. However, both of them will take the advice of their respective party leaders to form a coalition government.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto said that a government should be formed on the basis of national unity to bring political stability in the interest of the country. I want an end to the politics of hatred and division.
In response to a question, he said, so far there has been no contact with Barrister Gahar Ali Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), founded by Imran Khan. But yes we are contacting some independent candidates.
In response to another question, Bilawal said, according to the current numbers, no one can become the Chief Minister of Punjab without the support of PPP.
According to the latest data of the Election Commission of Pakistan, the results of 264 out of 266 constituencies have been declared. Independent candidates have won the most 101 seats. After that Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) won 75 seats, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) 54 and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM) 17 seats. Besides, other parties got 17 seats.