The politics in Pakistan is heating up as the jailed Imran Khan’s PTI claims its right to form the government in the country amid escalating tensions with the powerful army, facing allegations of rigging the mandate in the February 8 polls.
The PTI’s bid comes amid a crackdown on its website and mounting fears of a potential street revolt. Top sources told CNN-News18 that their efforts have been hindered as their Google drive and website are reportedly blocked. This comes following a call by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to form a coalition government in his so-called victory speech in Lahore. PTI-linked candidates are demanding that President Arif Alvi, appointed by Imran Khan, invite them for government formation while simultaneously protesting against the caretaker government and the army.
The independents who lost in the elections are being instructed to file First Information Reports (FIRs) against the Returning Officers (ROs) who allegedly provided them with incorrect forms. At the same time, negotiations between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are also underway. PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari is reportedly willing to form a government without Nawaz, advocating for younger brother Shehbaz as the leader, but with a condition of Presidency for himself.
Sources close to PML-N revealed that Nawaz Sharif is reluctant to become Prime Minister again under the current circumstances. The establishment favours a government led by Shehbaz Sharif, supported by Zardari, to handle economic programs and alleviate borrowing in the country. The Pakistan army believes that Shehbaz would be an effective chief executive to fulfill the government’s expectations. Nawaz has delegated Shehbaz for talks with other political parties, including PPP to explore the possibilities of forming a government.
The three-time former prime minister has expressed willingness to work with all parties for government formation, including Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam’s Fazlur Rehman. He stressed the importance of stability and urged all parties to come together for the betterment of the debt-ridden country. His message is also reflected in the army chief’s statement which told feuding politicians to show “maturity and unity” after an election failed to produce a clear winner.
The Pakistan military, accused of backing Nawaz, looms large over the country’s political landscape, with generals having run the country for nearly half its history. “Elections are not a zero-sum competition of winning and losing but an exercise to determine the mandate of the people,” Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir said in a statement released on Saturday.
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