1. Shehbaz Sharif has been chosen to lead Pakistan again, resolving weeks of political uncertainty after a contentious election.
2. His elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, named him as the coalition candidate for the next prime minister, signalling an end to the political deadlock.
3. The decision brings clarity to Pakistan’s political landscape following a period of uncertainty and speculation.
Islamabad, Feb 15: After weeks of political deadlock, Shehbaz Sharif has been selected to lead Pakistan once more, ending the uncertainty following a contentious election.
The decision to nominate Sharif as the coalition candidate for the next prime minister was made by his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif.
Efforts for Stability
Before Shehbaz Sharif’s selection, efforts were underway to bring the second-largest party into the government fold to ensure stability in Pakistan’s political landscape.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, supported the decision but stopped short of committing to joining the government, indicating a willingness to support a minority government from outside.
Independent Bloc and Allegations of Rigging
Meanwhile, an independent bloc, backed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, emerged as the largest group in the legislature. This bloc was at odds with the powerful military, alleging that the election was marred by rigging.
Despite these allegations, the caretaker government and election commission rejected claims of electoral malpractice.
Shehbaz Sharif’s Announcement
In a press conference following his nomination, Shehbaz Sharif announced Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Nawaz Sharif, as the Chief Minister of Punjab province.
Maryam Nawaz expressed her father’s reluctance to lead a minority coalition government, citing his clear majorities in previous terms as prime minister.
However, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) controlling only 80 seats in the 264-seat parliament, securing majority support from other parties is crucial.
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Coalition Discussions and Challenges
Both the PML-N and PPP have initiated internal discussions to explore government formation modalities. These discussions include the possibility of PPP joining the administration and assuming cabinet positions.
Despite the hopes that the election would resolve Pakistan’s crisis, the split verdict and the standoff between independents and the military suggest continued instability in the country’s political landscape.
Voter Turnout and Electoral Participation
Pakistan recorded a 47.6% voter turnout in the February 8 election, slightly lower than the turnout in the 2018 election. However, the total number of voters increased, with approximately 60.6 million individuals exercising their right to vote.
This turnout reflects the ongoing engagement of Pakistani citizens in the democratic process despite challenges and controversies surrounding the elections.
