Political Turmoil In Pakistan: Why Parties Unable To Form Government?

The political parties in Pakistan are still unable to form the federal government, even after ten days after the general election. Earlier, it looked like the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari would support the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to create the government by lending outside support. 

However, Bilawal put more demands against giving support to PML-N. “Progress in talks can only be made if ‘someone’ is willing to change their position. We stand by our position and will not change it,” Bilawal said, refraining from explicitly naming the PML-N. 

On the other hand, claims of victory in the general election have also been made by the independent members of the national assembly, who are purported to be supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). These allegations were reinforced when numerous recordings surfaced showing improper behaviour during the ballot paper counting process.

Explosive poll-rigging was claimed by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha on Saturday, asserting that the results of the 8 February general elections were “manipulated” under his watch. He also resigned from his position.

Commissioner Chatha also said that “independent candidates who were winning” the election were made to lose. “We made to lose the independent candidates who were winning the election with a lead of 70,000-80,000 votes by putting on fake stamps,” he added.

Responding to Chatha’s claims, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that it “strongly rejected the allegations against the ECP or the chief election commissioner.” In a press release, the electoral watchdog said, none of its officials ever issued any instructions to Chatha for a “change in the election results.”

Aftermath, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s newly-elected lawmakers staged a protest against the alleged rigging in the 8 February elections. The candidates backed by PTI had won elections in both the provincial assembly constituencies, but their victory was turned into defeat, protesters claimed as quoted by the Pakistani daily Dawn.

On the government formation front, the coordination committees of both the PML-N and PPP prepare for their sixth meeting, the ongoing dialogue seeks an agreement over the formation of the future government. 

As reported by Geo News, the deadlock in bilateral talks is attributed to the PPP’s reluctance to join the PML-N’s cabinet, despite expressing support for its prime ministerial candidate. In exchange for its backing, the Bilawal-led party is reportedly seeking key constitutional positions, including the office of the president for Asif Ali Zardari.

Speaking to Geo News, PPP’s Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi reiterated the party’s central executive committee’s decision against participating in the federal cabinet of the future government. Kundi emphasised the unpleasant experience during the 16-month alliance with the PML-N, stressing the absence of a formula for the prime ministerial office duration.

As major political stakeholders strive to secure alliances and independent candidates to reach the required 169 seats in the 336-member lower house of parliament, the PTI-backed candidates emerged as the largest group, securing over 90 National Assembly seats. The PML-N and PPP obtained 79 and 54 seats, respectively.