2024 Pakistani general election

2024 Pakistani general election

8 February 2024

All 336 seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan[a]
169 seats needed for a majority
Opinion polls
Registered128,585,760
Turnout47.8%[1] (Decrease3.9pp)
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Nawaz Sharif[b] Omar Ayub[c] Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Party PML(N) PTI independents[d] PPP[e]
Last election 24.35%, 82 seats 31.82%, 149 seats 13.03%, 43 seats
Seats won 75 93 [f] 54
Seat change Decrease7 Decrease56 Increase11
Popular vote 13,999,656[3] 18,457,567 8,244,944
Percentage 23.64% 31.17% 13.92%
Swing Decrease0.71pp Decrease0.65pp Increase0.89pp

Map of Pakistan with National Assembly constituencies

Caretaker Prime Minister before election

Anwaar ul Haq Kakar
Independent

Subsequent Prime Minister

Shehbaz Sharif
PML(N)

General elections, originally scheduled to be held in 2023,[4] were held in Pakistan on 8 February 2024 to elect the members of the 16th National Assembly. The Election Commission of Pakistan announced the detailed schedule on 15 December 2023.[5]

The elections were held following two years of political unrest after Prime Minister Imran Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was removed from office by a no-confidence motion. Subsequently, Khan was arrested and convicted for corruption and barred from politics for five years. In the run-up to the elections, a Supreme Court ruling stripped the PTI of their electoral symbol for failing to hold intra-party elections for years.[6][7][8][9]

In the final election results, independent candidates ended up winning 103 general seats including 93 backed by the PTI, followed by 75 from the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) and 54 from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). In Punjab and Sindh provinces, the PML-N and the PPP respectively emerged as the largest parties. Independent candidates backed by the PTI won the most number of seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while Balochistan voted for the PPP and the PML-N as the largest parties. Later all parties except the PTI were given reserved seats for women and minorities.

The military establishment was widely accused of rigging the elections in favour of the PML-N's leader Nawaz Sharif to keep Khan out of the electoral race.[10][11][12][13][14] Observer groups and members of the international community, including the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union, have voiced their concerns about the fairness of the elections,[15][16] while media outlets around the world cast widespread doubt on the veracity of the results.[14][17][18]

PTI chair Gohar Ali Khan alleged election rigging and claimed that the party had won 180 National Assembly seats as per provisional election results.[19] PTI-backed independent candidates did not secure a majority, but they managed to win more seats than any other single party, despite their leader Imran Khan being in jail.[20] Khan also cited alleged election rigging, and declined to forge alliances with other parties to establish a coalition government and instead opted to assume an opposition role in parliament.[21]

At a press conference on 13 February 2024, it was announced by the leaders of the PML-N and the PPP that they would form a coalition government with the PML-N's Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister.[22] The Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P), the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q), the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) also expressed their intent to join the governmental coalition.[23] On 3 March, Shehbaz Sharif was elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan for the second time, securing 201 votes against the 92 votes received by the PTI-backed Omar Ayub Khan. With no party securing a majority in the assembly, Shehbaz became prime minister with support from the PML-N's allies, including the PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, BAP, IPP and other smaller parties.[24]

Background

2018 elections

General elections were held in Pakistan on 25 July 2018 after the completion of a five-year term by the outgoing government. At the national level, elections were held in 272 constituencies, each electing one member to the National Assembly. At the provincial level, elections were held in each of the four provinces to elect Members of the Provincial Assemblies (MPA).[25]

As a result of the elections, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) became the single largest party at the national level in terms of both popular vote and seats. At the provincial level, the PTI remained the largest party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP); the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) remained the largest party in Sindh and the newly-formed Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) became the largest party in Balochistan. In Punjab, a hung parliament prevailed with Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) emerging as the largest party in terms of directly elected seats by a narrow margin.[26] However, following the support of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and the joining of independent MPAs into the PTI, the latter became the largest party and was able to form the government.[27]

2022 constitutional crisis

On 8 March 2022 the opposition parties, under the banner of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), submitted a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan to the National Assembly's secretariat.[28][29] On 27 March 2022, Khan waved a diplomatic cypher from US in the public,[30] claiming that it demanded the removal of Khan's government in a coup.[31] Later he changed his stance about the US conspiracy against his government, in an effort to mend ties with the country.[32][33] However, in August 2023, The Intercept claimed to have published the contents of the diplomatic cable which had American diplomat Donald Lu on record as stating that "all will be forgiven" concerning the country's neutrality in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, if the no-confidence motion against Khan were to succeed.[34] After the election, JUI-F president Fazal-ur-Rehman, a critic of Imran Khan, claimed that the motion of no-confidence to remove Khan was introduced on the instructions of former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.[35][36]

On 1 April 2022, Prime Minister Khan announced that in the context of the no-confidence motion against him in the National Assembly, the three options were discussed with "establishment" to choose from viz: "resignation, no-confidence [vote] or elections".[37] On 3 April 2022, President Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly of Pakistan on Khan's advice after the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly rejected and set-aside the motion of no confidence; this move would have required elections to the National Assembly to be held within 90 days.[38][39] On 10 April, after a Supreme Court ruling that the no-confidence motion was illegally rejected, a no-confidence vote was conducted and he was ousted from office,[40][41] becoming the first prime minister in Pakistan to be removed from office by a vote of no confidence.[42][43][44] Khan claimed the United States was behind his removal because he conducted an independent foreign policy and had friendly relations with China and Russia. His removal led to protests from his supporters across Pakistan.[45][46][47]

PDM government

After the success of the no-confidence motion, on 11 April 2022 Shehbaz Sharif became the Prime Minister after receiving 174 votes out of a total of 342, two more than the required majority with the support of the Pakistan People's Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and various smaller parties under the coalition of the PDM. Dissident members of PTI also supported his candidature. Meanwhile, the remaining PTI members, who were now in the opposition, boycotted the session terming it a continuation of a "foreign conspiracy".[48] A day later, over 100 PTI members tendered resignations from their National Assembly seats.[49]

The PDM government remained in power until 10 August 2023. Sharif's tenure was marked by historically high inflation, contraction of the national economy, and a record devaluation of the Pakistani rupee.[50][51][52]

Assassination attempt on Imran Khan and his subsequent arrest

Following its ouster from the government, PTI continued to enjoy mass popularity with its supporters taking to the streets across the country.[53] In July 2022, during a provincial by-election in Punjab, the party had a landslide victory after winning 15 of the 20 seats. During October 2022 by-elections conducted for the National Assembly, the party won 7 out of 9 seats with Khan winning 6 of the 7 seats he was contesting for.[54] Later in the year, Khan himself led a well-attended march of protest throughout the populous province of Punjab, to force an early general election.[55] However, on 3 November 2022, while he was leading the march through Wazirabad, he was shot at and injured in an attempted assassination.[56]

As Khan was recovering from the gunshot wounds to his leg, the government registered several cases against him and attempted to arrest him from his home in Zaman Park on two different occasions during March 2023. Each time the police were unable to arrest him as his supporters intervened.[57] Then on 9 May 2023, he was violently arrested by paramilitary forces while marking his attendance at Islamabad High Court in a corruption case. The arrest came a day after the country's army warned him for accusing a high-ranking member of the ISI, Major General Faisal Naseer, of being responsible for the assassination attempt in November 2022.[58] Nationwide violence followed, in what were termed as the May 9 riots, with some demonstrators targeting military installations.[59] Following the events, a crackdown was initiated against the party by the country's military establishment. PTI leaders, party workers, and supporters, as well as those perceived to be allied to the party's cause within the media and legal profession, were targeted.[60][61] Trials of civilians within military courts were also initiated.[62] Several core leaders of the party have been in hiding since, with many incarcerated or forced to abandon the party.[60] Subsequently, two pro-establishment splinter groups emerged from within the PTI, namely the PTI Parliamentarians (PTI-P), led by Pervez Khattak, and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), led by Jahangir Tareen.[63][64]

On 16 February 2024, former Secretary of Defense Naeem Khalid Lodhi claimed that the military establishment had indirectly contacted Imran Khan in which Khan was reportedly asked to admit responsibility and apologize for planning the May 9 riots and assure that such actions would not be repeated in the future. However, according to Lodhi, no resolution came from these interactions.[65]

Schedule controversies

In January 2023, in a bid to force early general elections, the PTI prematurely dissolved the provincial assemblies it was in power in – namely Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. According to the constitution of Pakistan, after the dissolution of an assembly, elections are supposed to be held there within 90 days, thus, constitutionally limiting the date for the two provincial elections to be no later than April 2023.[66][67] However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) delayed the elections to October 2023, citing lack of funds provided by the PDM government and the unavailability of the required security personnel.[68][69] The PTI approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the electoral body's decision, terming it a violation of the constitution, and with a majority verdict the court declared the ECP's earlier ruling as unconstitutional and ordered it to hold elections by 14 May 2023.[70] After the nationwide May 9 riots that broke out following Imran Khan's arrest – the election date passed without the Supreme Court order being enforced. On 30 May, after the passage of a new law, the PDM government filed a review petition against the court's earlier ruling.[71]

On 10 August 2023, the National Assembly was prematurely dissolved by the President Arif Alvi on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This meant that the election must be held no later than 8 November 2023.[72][73] However, on 5 August 2023, the results of the 2023 digital census were approved by the Council of Common Interests headed by Shehbaz Sharif.[74] Therefore, elections were to be delayed to February 2024 at the latest, as announced by the ECP in order to carry out fresh electoral delimitations in light of the approved census results.[75][76] Despite that, on 13 September 2023, President Alvi proposed 6 November 2023 as a date to the ECP and advised it to seek guidance from the Supreme Court for the announcement of the election date.[77] On 2 November 2023, the ECP and the President agreed on 8 February 2024 as the date for the general election.[78][79]

Return of Nawaz Sharif to electoral politics

At the start of May 2023, the PDM government adopted a law allowing for filing review petitions against prior Supreme Court verdicts.[80] At the end of June, another law, limiting disqualification to five years, was adopted. It also allows the electoral commission to announce the date of an election without consulting the President of the country.[81]

After serving 12 months of his 7-year sentence on corruption charges, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif left the country on 19 November 2019 to receive medical treatment in London, promising to return in 4 weeks.[82] He was declared a fugitive in 2021 after failing to appear before courts despite summons.[83] Sharif obtained protective bail on 19 October 2023, which allowed him to return from 4 years of self-imposed exile without being arrested.[84] On October 21, he returned to the country where he was welcomed in Lahore by a gathering of tens of thousands of his supporters.[85]

On 9 January 2024, a seven-member Supreme Court bench under Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, hearing a review petition against lifetime disqualification, announced a 6–1 majority verdict with Justice Yahya Afridi dissenting. The verdict set aside the earlier Supreme Court interpretation of lifetime disqualification for article 62(1)(f) of the constitution, stating that it violated fundamental rights, and instead set a five-year disqualification following the newly passed laws for lawmakers who fail the moral standard of "sadiq and ameen" (honest and righteous).[86] The timing of the verdict ensured that Sharif, who was disqualified for life in the Panama Papers case in 2017, was eligible to contest these elections with a possible fourth term as prime minister.[87]

Campaign

PTI de facto ban through intra-party election verdict

On 22 December 2023, the ECP decided against allowing the PTI to keep its electoral symbol, asserting that the party had failed to conduct intra-party elections to the commission's satisfaction. Subsequently, on the same day, the PTI appealed to the Peshawar High Court (PHC) challenging the ECP's decision. Consequently, a single-member bench suspended the ECP's order until 9 January 2024. On 30 December 2023, the ECP submitted a review application to the PHC. In the following days, a two-member bench lifted the suspension order while hearing the case. However, on 10 January 2024, the two-member bench deemed the ECP's order "illegal, without any lawful authority, and of no legal effect." Responding to this, on 11 January, the ECP contested the ruling in the Supreme Court.[88]

On 13 January, a three-member panel of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, sided with the ECP, reinstating their initial decision to deny the PTI its election symbol, the cricket bat, due to the party's failure to conduct intra-party elections by its constitution. Consequently, the PTI was unable to allocate party tickets to any of its candidates, resulting in all party candidates being listed as independent candidates with individual electoral symbols.[89] The party also lost the right to nominate candidates for 226 reserved seats across the central and provincial legislatures.[90] Removing the cricket bat symbol was viewed as preventing voters from recognising the party on ballot papers—a crucial factor in Pakistan where 40 per cent of the population is illiterate.[91]

The Supreme Court's decision led some legal experts to describe the ruling as a "huge blow to fundamental rights" and "a defeat for democratic norms."[92]

Imran Khan's convictions

In the week before the elections, Imran Khan was sentenced to jail terms in three separate cases. On 30 January 2024, with the government seeking a death penalty, he was sentenced to 10 years in a case dealing with the handling of state secrets by Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain.[93] A day later, Judge Muhammad Bashir, sentenced him and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to a jail term of 14 years, along with a fine of Rs. 787 million (US$2.8 million) each for retaining a jewellery set that was a state gift from Saudi Arabia against an undervalued assessment from the country's Toshakhana. The ruling also barred Khan from holding public office for 10 years.[94] Two days later, Judge Qudratullah declared the marriage of Khan and his wife against Islamic law and sentenced both to prison for a term of seven years for allegedly solemnising their marriage during Bushra's Iddah period. The case was lodged on the complaint of Khawar Maneka, Bushra's former husband, five years after her marriage to Khan.[95]

All three trials were held behind closed doors in Adiala Jail, where Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023 on corruption charges, and were marked with rushed proceedings, sudden replacement of defendant's lawyers with state consuls, and other procedural irregularities that led his party to term the decisions to be coming from "kangaroo courts".[96][97][98] Khan's sentencing in the marriage case was decried by lawyers and members of the civil society as an overreach and a blow to women's rights.[99][100][101] Meanwhile, some observers termed the sentencings as a continuation of the Pakistani military's engineering to keep Khan out of power in the upcoming elections.[102][103][104] On election day, a PTI official said Khan had been allowed to vote in prison using a postal ballot.[105]

Allegations of pre-poll rigging

Some observers, including the United Nations and Human Rights Watch, have pointed to what appears to be pre-poll rigging in the run-up to the upcoming elections. There have been notable actions against the PTI and its leaders, including snatching of nomination papers, arbitrary arrests of candidates and their supporters, systematic rejection of nomination papers, and disruption of campaign events. This situation has led to widespread allegations of 'election engineering' and manipulative practices that could potentially favour certain political groups, casting doubts over the fairness of the electoral process.[106][103][107][108] Pakistan's electoral commission was also accused of gerrymandering in favour of the PML-N during the redrawing of voter maps before the elections, with a record 1,300 complaints made.[109]

Many candidates affiliated with the PTI complained that following the ban on the usage of the cricket bat as the party's logo for the ballots, the electoral commission provided them with symbols carrying obscure meanings and sometimes awkward connotations such as a calculator, an electric heater, a dice, a bed, an eggplant, which is deemed anatomically suggestive, and a bottle, which carries suggestions of alcohol consumption in the majority-Muslim country.[110][111] This forces some of them to highlight their assigned symbols to voters, particularly those living in rural areas, on TikTok.[112]

Numerous PTI candidates were reportedly beaten and imprisoned, while many were compelled to join opposing parties or quit politics entirely. A strict order was given to stop mentioning Khan's name on television and PTI protests were suppressed, while PTI supporters were arrested and harassed[91] by the military, judiciary as well other political parties.[113][12] The majority of the party leadership found themselves imprisoned or exiled, while PTI rallies were subjected to attacks, making campaigning virtually impossible as candidates were forced into hiding.[114] The Intercept reported allegations of military involvement in the killing and torture of PTI supporters, and also noted that Pakistani media was significantly restricted over the past year, making critical reporting on the army and government nearly impossible.[17]

On one occasion, Usman Dar, a former member of Imran Khan's cabinet, announced his resignation from the PTI and also withdrew from the election after police officials assaulted his elderly mother, Rehana Dar, in her own bedroom. Rehana Dar subsequently appeared on TV, announcing her intention to enter the election race and contest against Khawaja Asif. She expressed, "You have achieved what you wanted by making my son [Usman Dar] step down at gunpoint, but my son has quit politics, not me. Now you will face me in politics".[115]

Just 48 hours before the voting, a full-page advertisement declaring Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister was published on the front pages of every newspaper in the country.[116]

Appointment of bureaucrats as electoral officers

For the first time in Pakistan's electoral history since 1985, Chief Electoral Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja employed the services of the highly politicized[117] executive bureaucracy, particularly Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners, in the key electoral roles of Returning Officers (RO) and District Returning Officers (DRO).[118] These ROs and DROs are engaged in all stages of the electoral process: from screening applicants to consolidation of vote counts, and, finally, provisionally notifying winning candidates.[119] Traditionally, these posts have been occupied by the lower judiciary of the country.[120]

On 14 December 2023, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi of the Lahore High Court suspended the ECP's decision on the petition of the PTI that questioned the apparent bias of the appointed bureaucrats.[121] However, the next day, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of Qazi Faez Isa, Mansoor Ali Shah, and Sardar Tariq Masood, set aside this ruling and allowed the DROs and ROs to be notified from the bureaucracy, meanwhile stopping LHC from undertaking further proceedings on the petition citing over-reach of authority.[122]

On 30 December 2023, these ROs rejected a majority of the nomination papers filed by the leadership of the PTI, including those of the party's chief, Imran Khan. The PTI's general secretary, Omar Ayub Khan, termed the rejections as "pre-poll rigging".[123] The party challenged these rejections in the courts.[124] Many of these rejections were later reversed by the courts.[125][126][127]

Censorship

On 26 January 2024, PTI's official website, insaf.pk, and a separate website made for disseminating information regarding the individual electoral symbols of the party's candidates were blocked in Pakistan.[128] A voter helpline created by the party was also blocked.[129] Previously, social media was blocked in the country during the party's virtual electoral events on at least three separate occasions as per internet watchdog, NetBlocks.[130][131]

Journalists covering the elections reported a 'near-blanket ban' on their ability to cover PTI candidates fairly. News channels allegedly received messages from individuals belonging to Pakistan's military establishment instructing them to remove all references to PTI in their visuals, graphics, and talking points.[132]

Election day violence and disruptions

Widespread internet disruption, with complete closure of mobile phone networks, was observed and condemned by Amnesty International as a blunt attack on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.[133] On 6 March, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) admitted in its response to the Sindh High Court (SHC) that the Ministry of Interior had indeed issued directives to suspend mobile phone services on the election day on 8 February, due to security concerns and fear of terror related activities.[134]

Several polling stations faced instances of violence, ballot box snatching, vandalism and gunfire.[135][136][137]

On election day, polling stations were changed randomly, causing confusion and directing voters to incorrect polling locations.[114]

Electoral system

The 336 members of the National Assembly consist of 266 general seats elected by first-past-the-post voting in single-member constituencies,[138] 60 seats that are reserved for women elected by proportional representation based on the number of general seats won by each party in each province, and ten seats that are reserved for non-Muslims elected through proportional representation based on the number of overall general seats won by each party. Independents cannot claim reserved seats.[139][140]

The government had passed a bill that required the next general elections to be held using EVMs (electronic voting machines). This was aimed at ending the allegations of rigging that have plagued previous elections in Pakistan. Still, the opposition's opinion was that it would make it extremely easy for PTI to rig the elections in their favour through security loopholes.[141]

In 2022 when the PTI-led government was ousted through a successful vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly, the 11 opposition parties, some of them being long-time rivals, formed a new government and passed the Elections Amendment Bill, which nullified the use of EVMs in the next general elections. Hence, EVMs were not used in the current general elections. Instead paper ballots were once again employed during the elections. Furthermore, overseas Pakistanis were also prevented from e-voting in these elections because of this amendment.[142]

Voting and transmission of results

Registered voters in each polling station of an electoral district get two paper ballots to put a stamp on their preferred candidate for the national and provincial assembly respectively. These ballots are then counted by a presiding officer who then transmits the results for their polling station to the returning officer (RO) in Form 45. Copies of Form 45 are also given to the observing polling agents of the contesting candidates. The RO then consolidates these Form 45s, in front of the contesting candidates of the constituency they are overseeing, to give a provisional result in Form 47 before doing a final consolidation in Form 48. The ECP then uses the data from Forms 47 and 48 to officially notify elected members for each constituency using Form 49, provided that no candidate contested the unofficial consolidated counts given in Form 48.[143]

Timeline

In July 2023 the ECP invited political parties to submit applications for the allocation of electoral symbols,[144] given that about 40% of the Pakistani population is illiterate.[145]

As of 25 July 2023, the total number of registered voters in Pakistan stood around 127 million as compared to 106 million (including 59.22 million men and 46.73 million women voters) in 2018, according to the data released by the ECP.[146] According to the figures, the number of eligible female voters stood at 58.5 million (around 46 per cent of the total registered voters) while the number of eligible male voters was 68.5 million (about 54 per cent of the total voters).[147]

In late September the ECP announced that citizens over 18 can update their voter details until 25 October 2023. The ECP decided to "unfreeze" the electoral rolls to allow registered voters to rectify or update their details.[148]

On 2 November 2023, President Arif Alvi and the ECP agreed on holding general elections on 8 February, after a meeting was held in Aiwan-i-Sadr on the orders of the Supreme Court. The court had instructed the ECP to consult with the President on the poll date.[149]

On 15 December 2023, the ECP issued the election schedule. It set 22 December as the last date for filing nomination papers.[150] On that day however, the ECP extended the deadline for the submission of nomination papers to 24 December.[151] More than 5,000 people were officially recognized as candidates for the 266 directly elected seats in the National Assembly, with only 313 of them being women.[145]

Compared to the 46.89 percent female voter turnout in 2018, the share of female voters share decreased to 41.3 percent in 2024, while the male turnout increased from 56.01 percent to 58.7 percent.[152]

According to data from the ECP, over 17,800 candidates contested the elections for national and provincial assemblies. Among them were 5,160 candidates, including 312 women and two transgender persons, who competed for 266 general seats of the National Assembly. The data revealed that the TLP, which debuted in the 2018 elections nominated more candidates than the country's two major parties — the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The PPP nominated 219 candidates, while the PML-N fielded 212 candidates.[153]

Parties

The table below lists each party that either received a share of the vote higher than 0.5% in the 2018 Pakistan general election or had representation in the 15th National Assembly of Pakistan. Political parties are ordered by their vote share in the 2018 elections. Independent candidates won 13 seats in 2018.[154]

Name Flag Claimed
ideology(ies)
Leader Voteshare
in 2018
General seats won in 2018 Seats before election
PTI Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf[g]
پاکستان تحريکِ انصاف
Populism
Islamic democracy
Welfarism
Civic nationalism
Imran Khan 31.82%
116 / 272
149 / 342
PML(N) Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)
پاکستان مسلم لیگ (نواز)
Conservatism
Economic liberalism
Federalism
Nawaz Sharif 24.35%
64 / 272
82 / 342
PPP Pakistan People's Party[e]
پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی
Social democracy
Islamic democracy
Progressivism
Third Way
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari 13.03%
43 / 272
58 / 342
JUI-F Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl)
جمیعت علماءِ اسلام (ف)
Islamism
Conservatism
Fazl-ur-Rahman 4.85%
11 / 272
14 / 342
JI Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan
جماعت اسلامی پاکستان
Islamism
Islamic revivalism
Social conservatism
Siraj-ul-Haq
1 / 272
1 / 342
MQM(P) Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan
متحدہ قومی موومنٹ(پاکستان)
Liberalism
Social liberalism
Social democracy
Muhajir nationalism
Secularism
Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui 1.38%
6 / 272
7 / 342
TLP Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan
تحریک لبیک پاکستان
Islamism

Barelvi revival

Saad Hussain Rizvi 4.21%
0 / 272
0 / 342
AML Awami Muslim League Pakistan
عوامی مسلم لیگ پاکستان
Populism Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad 0.22%
1 / 272
1 / 342
JWP Jamhoori Wattan Party
جمہوری وطن پارٹی
Baloch nationalism Shahzain Bugti 0.04%
1 / 272
1 / 342
MQM-London Muttahida Qaumi Movement – London[h]
متحدہ قومی موومنٹ
Social Liberalism
Secularism
Muhajir Nationalism
Altaf Hussain 0%
0 / 272
0 / 342
MQM-H Mohajir Qaumi Movement Pakistan
مہاجر قومی موومنٹ پاکستان
Liberal Socialism
Secularism
Muhajir Nationalism
Afaq Ahmed 0%
0 / 272
0 / 342
GDA Grand Democratic Alliance
گرینڈ ڈیموکریٹک الائنس
Regionalism
Opposition to the PPP[155]
Pir of Pagaro VIII 2.37%
2 / 272
3 / 342
ANP Awami National Party
عوامی نيشنل پارٹی
Pashtun nationalism
Democratic socialism
Secularism
Asfandyar Wali Khan 1.54%
1 / 272
1 / 342
MWM Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen
مجلس وحدتِ مسلمین
Islamic Socialism
Shia-Sunni Unity
Islamic Democracy
Allama Raja Nasir Abbas 0%
0 / 272
0 / 342
PML(Q) Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid e Azam)
پاکستان مسلم لیگ(قائد اعظم)
Conservatism
Pakistani nationalism
Shujaat Hussain 0.97%
4 / 272
5 / 342
BAP Balochistan Awami Party
بلوچستان عوامی پارٹی
Federalism
Islamic democracy
Khalid Hussain Magsi 0.60%
4 / 272
5 / 342
BNP(M) Balochistan National Party (Mengal)
بلوچستان نيشنل پارٹی(مینگل)
Baloch nationalism
Democratic socialism
Secularism
Akhtar Mengal 0.45%
3 / 272
4 / 342
PML(Z) Pakistan Muslim League (Z)
پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ض)
Islamism
Reformism
Ijaz-ul-Haq
0 / 272
0 / 342

Opinion polls

In August 2023, the ECP imposed a total ban on entrance and exit polls including those on official digital media accounts of electronic and print media outlets.[156] Before the ban, opinion polling in June 2023 by Gallup Pakistan, the Institute of Public Opinion Research (IPOR) and IRIS showed that the PML-N had regained its lead over the PTI especially in the country's largest province, Punjab.

Last date
of polling
Polling firm Link PTI PML(N) PPP MMA[i] TLP Other Ind. Lead Margin
of error
Sample
size
Undecideds &
Non-voters[j]
30 June 2023 Gallup Pakistan PDF 42% 20% 12% 4% 4% 5% 22% ±2.5% 3,500 13%
3 June 2022 IPOR (IRI) PDF 39% 33% 12% 7% 4% 5% 6% ±2 – 3% 2,003 25%
21 March 2022 IPOR (IRI) PDF 35% 33% 19% 6% 4% 3% 2% ±2 – 3% 3,509 16%
31 January 2022 Gallup Pakistan PDF 34% 33% 15% 6% 3% 9% 1% ±3 – 5% 5,688 33%
9 January 2022 IPOR (IRI) PDF 31% 33% 17% 3% 3% 11% 1% 2% ±2 – 3% 3,769 11%
11 November 2020 IPOR (IRI) PDF 36% 38% 13% 4% 3% 6% 2% ±3.22% 2,003 32%
13 August 2020 IPOR (IRI) PDF 33% 38% 15% 3% 3% 8% 5% ±2.95% 2,024 26%
30 June 2020 IPOR (IRI) PDF 24% 27% 11% 3% 2% 33% 3% ±2.38% 1,702 N/A[k]
24 June 2019 Gallup Pakistan PDF 31% 28% 15% 5% 21% 3% ±3 – 5% ~1,400 N/A
22 November 2018 IPOR (IRI) PDF 43% 27% 15% 1% 1% 11% 1% 16% ±2.05% 3,991 22%
25 July 2018 2018 Elections ECP 31.8% 24.3% 13.0% 4.8% 4.2% 10.3% 11.5% 7.5% N/A 53,123,733 N/A

Security concerns and violence

The ECP categorised half the country's 90,675 polling stations as either "sensitive", meaning there is a risk of violence, or "most sensitive", indicating a higher risk. The classifications were based on the area's security situation and history of electoral violence.[157] In Balochistan Province alone, caretaker provincial home minister Muhammad Zubair Jamali said that almost 80% of its 5,028 polling stations had been declared "sensitive".[158]

Pre-poll violence

On 25 January 2024, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan pledged not to stage attacks on election rallies and would limit itself to attacking military and police targets during the election period. This followed the government's decision to deploy troops in sensitive constituencies after intelligence agencies warned that militants could target rallies.[159]

Two candidates were killed during the election campaign. On 10 January, Malik Kaleem Ullah, an independent candidate for the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was shot dead while on a door-to-door sortie, while on 31 January, Rehan Zaib Khan, an independent candidate affiliated with the PTI, was killed after gunmen opened fire on his car in a market in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in an attack that also injured three people and was claimed by the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISIS-K). On 30 January, four people were killed and five others injured in an explosion during a PTI rally in Sibi, Balochistan Province, while on 31 January, 15 people were injured in attacks on residences and offices of PPP candidates and the election office of the PML-N in Balochistan, which was partially claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army.[160] On 7 February, 29 people were killed in explosions outside an independent candidate's office and an office of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) (JUI-F) in Balochistan.[161] Both attacks were claimed by ISIS-K.[162]

Incidents on election day

The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the closure of its borders with Iran and Afghanistan on the eve of the general elections on 8 February, as a measure to enhance security.[163][164]

Ten minutes before polling stations opened, the interior ministry announced the suspension of mobile internet services across the country, citing recent terrorist incidents.[145] NetBlocks director Alp Toker called the outage "amongst the largest" that they had observed. PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari demanded that the government restore services and said its lawyers would challenge the decision in court.[165] The PTI called the outage a "cowardly act".[111]

In Balochistan, grenades were thrown at two polling stations by unidentified individuals. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a soldier was killed in an attack by gunmen in Kot Azam,[166] while five security personnel were killed in an attack in Kulachi. A polling station in the same province was shelled by mortars. Two security officers were killed and nine wounded by an explosion near a polling station in Lajja, Balochistan, while two people were injured following 14 "minor blasts" in Gwadar.[105]

Post-election violence

On 9 February, two PTI workers were killed and 24 others were injured after clashes broke out between police and PTI supporters demonstrating against alleged electoral fraud in Shangla District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[167][168] On 10 February, Mohsin Dawar, the leader of the National Democratic Movement who was running for a national assembly seat in North Waziristan, was seriously injured in a gun attack in Miranshah.[169] On 11 February, six people, including a police officer, were killed and five others were injured in election-related clashes in Larkana.[170] On 12 February, Chaudhry Muhammad Adnan, a former PTI member of the Punjab Assembly and Independent candidate for the NA-57 Rawalpindi-VI and PP-19 Rawalpindi-XIII constituencies in Punjab, was shot dead in Rawalpindi.[171] On 13 February, three people were killed and five others were injured in a gun attack on a PPP victory rally in Dera Ismail Khan.[172] On 14 February, two people were killed and 13 others were injured in clashes between BAP and PPP supporters during a recount outside the office of the returning officer in Hub, Balochistan.[173]

Results

National Assembly

The election was postponed in the NA-8 Bajaur constituency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to the killing of candidate Rehan Zeb Khan. Provincial assembly elections were also postponed in the constituencies of PK-22 and PK-91 (both in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) due to the deaths of candidates there.[174]

Vote share of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Vote share of Pakistan Muslim League (N)
Vote share of Pakistan Peoples Party
PartyVotes%Seats
GeneralWomenMinorityTotal
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf independents18,457,56731.17930093
Pakistan Muslim League (N)13,999,65623.647519498
Pakistan People's Party8,244,94413.925412268
Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan2,888,6194.880000
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F)2,163,1603.655207
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan1,336,6982.260000
Grand Democratic Alliance1,180,8661.990000
Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan1,119,9621.89184022
Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party648,8271.103104
Awami National Party622,1151.051001
Pakistan Muslim League (Q)339,5180.573104
Pakistan Markazi Muslim League205,7680.350000
Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party166,6400.281001
Balochistan National Party (Mengal)162,9880.281001
Pakistan Rah-e-Haq Party119,8640.200000
Pakistan Muslim League (Z)109,5700.191001
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians96,0890.160000
Balochistan Awami Party90,9850.151001
National Party68,7410.121001
Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party64,5440.111001
Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen61,8990.101001
Others507,5710.860000
Independents6,564,48611.087007
Total59,221,077100.00266396311
Source: ECP, BBC, Tribune Gallup

Results by province or territory

[175]

Province/Territory Seats
PTI PML(N) PPP MQM-P JUI-F PML(Q) IND Others Postponed
Punjab 141 55 71 10 0 0 3 2 0 0
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 45 37 3 1 0 2 0 0 1 1
Sindh 61 0 0 43 17 0 0 0 0 0
Balochistan 16 1 4 2 0 2 0 1 6 0
Islamabad Capital Territory 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Total 266 93 78 49 17 6 3 9 9 1

Results by constituency

[176]

Province District Constituency Winner Runner Up Margin Turnout
NA No. Constituency name Candidate Party Votes % Candidate Party Votes %
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Upper Chitral
Lower Chitral
NA-1 Upper Chitral-cum-Lower Chitral Abdul Latif PTI 61,834 38.16 Muhammad Talha Mahmood JUI(F) 42,987 26.53 18,847 53.19%
Swat NA-2 Swat-I Amjad Ali Khan PTI 88,938 52.22 Amir Muqam PML(N) 37,764 22.17 51,174 35.11%
NA-3 Swat-II Salim Rehman PTI 81,490 50.15 Wajid Ali Khan PML(N) 27,941 17.19 53,550 36.20%
NA-4 Swat-III Sohail Sultan PTI 88,085 56.20 Saleem Khan ANP 20,997 13.40 67,119 30.62%
Upper Dir NA-5 Upper Dir Sahibzada Sibghatullah PTI 91,165 44.28 Sahabzada Tariq Ullah JI 49,066 23.83 42,619 36.40%
Lower Dir NA-6 Lower Dir-I Muhammad Bashir Khan PTI 81,229 49.14 Siraj-ul-Haq JI 57,458 34.76 23,714 37.16%
NA-7 Lower Dir-II Mehboob Shah PTI 84,670 49.03 Muhammad Ismail JI 31,104 18.01 53,710 42.76%
Bajaur NA-8 Bajaur Mubarak Zeb Khan Ind. 74,008 40.60 Gul Zafar Khan SIC 47,282 25.94 26,726 28.04%
Malakand NA-9 Malakand Junaid Akbar PTI 113,545 57.83 Syed Ahmad Ali Shah PPP 40,785 20.77 72,773 43.14%
Buner NA-10 Buner Gohar Ali Khan PTI 110,954 54.45 Abdur Rauf ANP 31,056 15.24 79,721 37.80%
Shangla NA-11 Shangla Amir Muqam PML(N) 61,204 41.08 Said Fareen PTI 55,312 37.12 5,552 33.26%
Upper Kohistan
Lower Kohistan
Kolai-Palas
NA-12 Kohistan-cum-Lower Kohistan-cum-Kolai Palas Kohistan Malik Muhammad Idrees PML(N) 28,010 27.69 Malak Salahuddin Khan JUI(F) 23,014 22.75 4,540 52.42%
Battagram NA-13 Battagram Muhammad Nawaz Khan Allai PTI 32,647 35.66 Muhanmad Yousuf JUI(F) 21,542 23.53 10,873 28.88%
Mansehra NA-14 Mansehra Sardar Muhammad Yousuf PML(N) 115,642 45.51 Muhammad Saleem Imran PTI 103,388 40.69 12,211 44.77%
Mansehra
Torghar
NA-15 Mansehra-cum-Torghar Shahzada Muhammad Gushtasap Khan PTI 105,259 44.12 Nawaz Sharif PML(N) 80,413 33.71 24,867 38.41%
Abbottabad NA-16 Abbottabad-I Ali Asghar Khan PTI 105,300 43.52 Murtaza Javed Abbasi PML(N) 86,621 35.80 18,717 44.96%
NA-17 Abbottabad-II Ali Khan Jadoon PTI 97,366 56.21 Mahabat Khan PML(N) 44,760 25.84 52,655 44.51%
Haripur NA-18 Haripur Omar Ayub PTI 194,429 55.39 Babar Nawaz Khan PML(N) 113,079 32.22 80,559 50.04%
Swabi NA-19 Swabi-I Asad Qaiser PTI 115,719 54.37 Fazal Ali Haqqani JUI(F) 45,764 21.50 70,068 40.06%
NA-20 Swabi-II Shahram Khan Tarakai PTI 123,828 57.62 Waris Khan ANP 48,286 22.47 75,430 39.91%
Mardan NA-21 Mardan-I Mujahid Ali PTI 119,068 51.18 Azam Khan JUI(F) 52,222 22.45 66,862 45.56%
NA-22 Mardan-II Atif Khan PTI 115,935 53.83 Haider Khan Hoti ANP 66,952 31.09 49,127 39.68%
NA-23 Mardan-III Ali Muhammad Khan PTI 102,188 51.59 Ahmad Khan ANP 33,922 17.13 68,265 44.35%
Charsadda NA-24 Charsadda-I Malik Anwar Taj PTI 89,841 45.98 Gohar Ali JUI(F) 48,264 24.93 41,256 39.44%
NA-25 Charsadda-II Fazal Muhammad Khan PTI 100,742 45.93 Aimal Wali Khan ANP 68,019 31.01 32,837 39.97%
Mohmand NA-26 Mohmand Sajid Khan Mohmand PTI 41,502 44.20 Muhammad Arif JUI(F) 19,985 21.29 21,559 27.30%
Khyber NA-27 Khyber Mohammed Iqbal Khan Afridi PTI 85,647 62.99 Shahjee Gul Afridi PML(N) 18,979 13.96 66,682 21.98%
Peshawar NA-28 Peshawar-I Noor Alam Khan JUI(F) 138,389 57.39 Sajid Nawaz PTI 65,119 27.00 73,270 62.06%
NA-29 Peshawar-II Arbab Amir Ayub PTI 68,792 56.06 Saqib Ullah Khan ANP 18,888 15.39 49,904 39.72%
NA-30 Peshawar-III Shandana Gulzar PTI 78,971 59.83 Nasir Khan Musazai JUI(F) 20,950 15.87 58,021 33.80%
NA-31 Peshawar-IV Sher Ali Arbab PTI 82,985 58.00 Arbab Alamgir Khan PPP 22,543 15.76 60,442 36.61%
NA-32 Peshawar-V Asif Khan PTI 122,792 55.69 Ghulam Ahmad Bilour ANP 45,846 20.79 76,946 38.38%
Nowshera NA-33 Nowshera-I Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah PTI 93,474 47.43 Pervez Khattak ANP 26,592 13.49 66,856 45.64%
NA-34 Nowshera-II Zulfiqar Ali PTI 95,704 45.98 Imran Khattak Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians 32,732 15.72 62,954 47.14%
Kohat NA-35 Kohat Shehryar Afridi PTI 128,594 52.68 Abbas Khan Afridi PML(N) 59,034 24.18 71,307 37.50%
Hangu
Orakzai
NA-36 Hangu-cum-Orakzai Yousuf Khan PTI 73,347 54.52 Obaidullah JUI(F) 35,178 26.15 38,752 25.03%
Kurram NA-37 Kurram Hameed Hussain MWM 58,661 38.18 Sajid Hussain Turi PPP 54,792 35.66 4,266 37.77%
Karak NA-38 Karak Shahid Ahmed Khattak PTI 117,998 54.56 Shah Abdul Aziz JUI(F) 40,949 18.94 77,091 45.40%
Bannu NA-39 Bannu Nasim Ali Shah PTI 146,667 52.71 Zahid Akram Durrani JUI(F) 111,293 40.00 36,412 39.46%
North Waziristan NA-40 North Waziristan Misbahuddin JUI(F) 43,400 30.50 Aurang Zeb Khan PTI 33,799 23.75 9,169 33.52%
Lakki Marwat NA-41 Lakki Marwat Sher Afzal Marwat PTI 117,988 48.76 Asjad Mehmood JUI(F) 68,303 28.23 49,685 48.10%
Upper South Waziristan
Lower South Waziristan
NA-42 South Waziristan Upper-cum-South Waziristan Lower Zubair Khan Wazir PTI 20,240 26.92 Ali Wazir Ind. 16,302 21.68 3,828 16.68%
Tank
Dera Ismail Khan
NA-43 Tank-cum-Dera Ismail Khan Dawar Khan Kundi PTI 64,575 38.70 Asad Mehmood JUI(F) 64,020 38.36 555 43.85%
Dera Ismail Khan NA-44 Dera Ismail Khan-I Ali Amin Gandapur PTI 92,161 44.17 Fazal-ur-Rehman JUI(F) 59,585 28.56 33,521 54.97%
NA-45 Dera Ismail Khan-II Fatehullah Khan Miankhel PPP 56,944 37.41 Obaid Ur Rehman JUI(F) 48,361 31.77 8,590 50.01%
Islamabad Capital Territory Islamabad NA-46 Islamabad-I Anjum Aqeel Khan PML(N) 82,536 51.18 Amir Mughal PTI 46,313 28.72 37,641 46.30%
NA-47 Islamabad-II Tariq Fazal Chaudhry PML(N) 101,575 40.32 Shoaib Shaheen PTI 87,105 34.58 16,106 58.39%
NA-48 Islamabad-III Khurram Shehzad Nawaz PML(N) 69,701 38.37 Muhammad Ali Bokhari PTI 59,865 32.95 9,848 61.11%
Punjab Attock NA-49 Attock-I Sheikh Aftab Ahmed PML(N) 120,158 37.80 Tahir Sadiq PTI 110,462 34.75 9,497 50.40%
NA-50 Attock-II Malik Sohail Khan PML(N) 118,288 28.47 Eman Waseem PTI 109,908 26.46 9,886 60.05%
Rawalpindi
Murree
NA-51 Murree-cum-Rawalpindi Raja Usama Sarwar PML(N) 149,400 42.76 Muhammad Latasob Satti PTI 113,911 32.60 35,407 52.53%
Rawalpindi NA-52 Rawalpindi-I Raja Pervaiz Ashraf PPP 113,015 34.45 Tariq Aziz Bhatti PTI 91,918 28.02 20,718 50.47%
NA-53 Rawalpindi-II Qamar-ul-Islam Raja PML(N) 72,006 34.64 Ajmal Sabir Raja PTI 58,480 28.14 13,530 53.07%
NA-54 Rawalpindi-III Aqeel Malik PML(N) 85,930 37.25 Azra Masood PTI 73,729 31.96 12,218 50.59%
NA-55 Rawalpindi-IV Malik Ibrar Ahmed PML(N) 112,345 47.80 Muhammad Basharat Raja PTI 96,799 41.18 11,441 55.32%
NA-56 Rawalpindi-V Hanif Abbasi PML(N) 96,655 44.95 Shehryar Riaz PTI 82,619 38.43 14,036 41.85%
NA-57 Rawalpindi-VI Daniyal Chaudhary PML(N) 83,333 46.47 Seemabia Tahir PTI 56,803 31.68 26,542 42.26%
Chakwal NA-58 Chakwal Tahir Iqbal PML(N) 163,873 45.32 Ayaz Amir PTI 152,819 42.26 13,437 61.90%
Chakwal
Talagang
NA-59 Chakwal-cum-Talagang Sardar Ghulam Abbas PML(N) 135,123 40.84 Muhammad Roman Ahmed PTI 125,632 37.97 11,964 55.73%
Jhelum NA-60 Jhelum-I Bilal Azhar Kayani PML(N) 99,973 43.09 Hassan Adeel PTI 90,579 39.04 9,474 44.11%
NA-61 Jhelum-II Chaudhry Farrukh Altaf PML(N) 88,100 37.24 Shaukat Iqbal Mirza PTI 84,636 35.78 4,023 47.57%
Gujrat NA-62 Gujrat-I Muhammad Ilyas Chaudhary PTI 97,436 42.58 Chaudhry Abid Raza PML(N) 71,154 31.10 26,282 43.97%
NA-63 Gujrat-II Chaudhry Hussain Elahi PML(Q) 87,567 33.02 Sajid Yousaf PTI 82,176 30.98 6,429 51.35%
NA-64 Gujrat-III Chaudhry Salik Hussain PML(Q) 100,379 44.92 Qaisara Elahi PTI 89,795 40.18 24,259 41.14%
NA-65 Gujrat-IV Chaudhary Naseer Ahmed Abbas PML(N) 90,772 32.60 Syed Wajahat Hussnain Shah PTI 82,351 29.58 8,571 49.04%
Wazirabad NA-66 Wazirabad Muhammad Ahmed Chattha PTI 160,850 52.81 Nisar Ahmed Cheema PML(N) 100,684 33.06 60,043 48.51%
Hafizabad NA-67 Hafizabad Aneeqa Mehdi PTI 211,044 47.02 Saira Afzal Tarar PML(N) 183,947 40.98 25,923 57.02%
Mandi Bahauddin NA-68 Mandi Bahauddin-I Imtiaz Ahmed Chaudhary PTI 166,229 55.81 Mushahid Raza PML(N) 71,008 23.84 95,167 50.08%
NA-69 Mandi Bahauddin-II Nasir Iqbal Bosal PML(N) 113,506 39.46 Kausar Parveen Bhatti PTI 108,900 37.86 4,517 49.72%
Sialkot NA-70 Sialkot-I Armaghan Subhani PML(N) 123,495 43.28 Hafiz Hamid Raza PTI 112,145 39.30 11,320 52.62%
NA-71 Sialkot-II Khawaja Asif PML(N) 119,017 48.47 Rehana Imtiaz Dar PTI 100,563 40.95 18,519 43.69%
NA-72 Sialkot-III Ali Zahid PML(N) 109,507 37.70 Chaudhry Amjad Ali Bajwa PTI 103,640 35.68 7,130 49.84%
NA-73 Sialkot-IV Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar PML(N) 112,178 44.18 Ali Asjad Malhi PTI 104,190 41.94 8,076 48.45%
NA-74 Sialkot-V Muhammad Aslam Ghumman PTI 130,606 48.79 Rana Shamim Ahmed Khan PML(N) 96,018 35.87 34,516 50.68%
Narowal NA-75 Narowal-I Anwaarul Haq Chaudhary PML(N) 100,116 31.79 Tahir Ali Javed PTI 75,626 24.02 23,999 51.64%
NA-76 Narowal-II Ahsan Iqbal PML(N) 137,042 45.54 Javaid Safdar Kahlon PTI 110,278 36.64 26,970 50.69%
Gujranwala NA-77 Gujranwala-I Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir PML(N) 109,704 44.82 Rashida Tariq PTI 91,825 37.51 14,639 52.20%
NA-78 Gujranwala-II Chaudhary Mubeen Arif Jutt PTI 106,504 45.56 Khurram Dastgir PML(N) 89,478 38.27 17,018 41.85%
NA-79 Gujranwala-III Chaudhary Zulfiqar Bhindar PTI 95,604 34.53 Chaudhary Ahsaanullah Virk PML(N) 92,581 33.44 4,388 50.19%
NA-80 Gujranwala-IV Shahid Usman Ibrahim PML(N) 98,206 41.92 Lala Asad Ullah PTI 94,895 40.51 3,153 39.84%
NA-81 Gujranwala-V Azhar Qayyum PTI 110,057 43.01 Chaudhry Bilal Ijaz PML(N) 106,860 41.76 7,791 52.02%
Sargodha NA-82 Sargodha-I Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath PML(N) 108,954 38.25 Nadeem Afzal Chan PPP 87,458 30.70 21,365 52.16%
NA-83 Sargodha-II Usama Ghias Mela PTI 136,604 50.95 Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha PML(N) 98,700 36.81 37,866 52.57%
NA-84 Sargodha-III Malik Shafqat Abbas Awan PTI 101,949 43.11 Liaquat Ali Khan PML(N) 77,478 32.77 24,467 45.74%
NA-85 Sargodha-IV Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti PML(N) 121,015 44.63 Khuda Dad PTI 111,165 41.00 9,866 54.76%
NA-86 Sargodha-V Miqdad Ali Khan Baloch PTI 105,882 40.59 Syed Javed Hasnain Shah PML(N) 94,487 36.22 11,389 50.84%
Khushab NA-87 Khushab-I Malik Shakir Bashir Awan PML(N) 117,775 43.40 Umer Aslam Awan PTI 108,314 39.91 9,465 55.76%
NA-88 Khushab-II Gul Asghar Khan IPP 82,577 30.19 Muhammad Moazzam Sher Ind. 64,156 23.46 18,421 62.47%
Mianwali NA-89 Mianwali-I Jamal Ahsan Khan PTI 217,427 72.38 Obaidullah Shadikhel PML(N) 34,068 11.34 183,359 93.19%
NA-90 Mianwali-II Umair Khan Niazi PTI 179,956 63.18 Humair Hayat Khan Rokhri PML(N) 51,266 18.00 128,597 58.25%
Bhakkar NA-91 Bhakkar-I Sanaullah Khan Mastikhel PTI 106,153 34.52 Abdul Majeed Khan PML(N) 85,532 27.82 20,574 63.02%
NA-92 Bhakkar-II Rashid Akbar Khan Nawani PML(N) 143,604 41.12 Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla IPP 131,789 37.74 11,585 67.69%
Chiniot NA-93 Chiniot-I Ghulam Muhammad Lali PTI 94,406 41.26 Ghulam Abbas Ind. 59,909 26.18 34,454 54.46%
NA-94 Chiniot-II Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh PML(N) 79,623 32.02 Muhammad Khalid PTI 72,476 29.14 7,272 57.31%
Faisalabad NA-95 Faisalabad-I Ali Afzal Sahi PTI 144,229 52.00 Azad Ali Tabassum PML(N) 93,586 33.74 50,823 55.22%
NA-96 Faisalabad-II Rai Haider Ali Khan PTI 134,724 48.99 Malik Nawab Sher Waseer PML(N) 92,554 33.66 41,981 49.94%
NA-97 Faisalabad-III Saadullah Khan Baloch PTI 72,846 30.02 Ali Gohar Khan PML(N) 70,532 29.07 2,303 51.21%
NA-98 Faisalabad-IV Chaudhry Shehbaz Babar PML(N) 119,599 41.81 Hafiz Mumtaz Ahmed PTI 105,653 36.93 14,009 50.87%
NA-99 Faisalabad-V Malik Umar Farooq Mushtaq PTI 120,797 48.39 Muhammad Qasim Farooq PML(N) 80,401 32.21 40,309 52.76%
NA-100 Faisalabad-VI Nisar Ahmad Jutt PTI 131,980 47.98 Rana Sanaullah PML(N) 112,651 40.95 19,302 55.27%
NA-101 Faisalabad-VII Rana Atif PTI 134,886 52.06 Irfan Ahmed PML(N) 89,612 34.59 45,269 49.68%
NA-102 Faisalabad-VIII Changaiz Ahmed Khan Kakar PTI 132,553 51.04 Abid Sher Ali PML(N) 100,328 38.63 32,206 48.88%
NA-103 Faisalabad-IX Muhammad Ali Sarfraz PTI 147,987 56.78 Akram Ansari PML(N) 86,683 33.26 61,072 48.53%
NA-104 Faisalabad-X Sahibzada Hamid Raza SIC 132,655 51.41 Daniyal Ahmed PML(N) 92,610 35.89 36,093 49.63%
Toba Tek Singh NA-105 Toba Tek Singh-I Usama Hamza PTI 138,494 48.51 Chaudhary Khalid Javed PML(N) 108,003 37.83 30,354 56.73%
NA-106 Toba Tek Singh-II Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry PML(N) 137,779 44.92 Khalid Nawaz PTI 137,105 44.70 705 56.80%
NA-107 Toba Tek Singh-III Riaz Fatyana PTI 129,971 45.27 Asad Ur Rehman PML(N) 96,083 33.47 33,295 58.49%
Jhang NA-108 Jhang-I Sahabzada Mehboob Sultan PTI 169,676 50.65 Faisal Saleh Hayat PML(N) 134,369 40.11 35,308 59.36%
NA-109 Jhang-II Sheikh Waqas Akram PTI 176,699 58.98 Muhammad Yaqub Sheikh PML(N) 61,803 20.63 114,799 52.05%
NA-110 Jhang-III Muhammad Ameer Sultan PTI 199,853 58.81 Muhammad Asif Muavia Sial PML(N) 104,422 30.73 95,419 60.68%
Nankana Sahib NA-111 Nankana Sahib-I Arshad Sahi PTI 113,711 45.83 Barjees Tahir PML(N) 93,467 37.67 20,242 52.89%
NA-112 Nankana Sahib-II Shezra Mansab Ali Khan PML(N) 105,656 43.22 Ijaz Ahmed Shah PTI 93,329 38.18 12,330 54.45%
Sheikhupura NA-113 Sheikhupura-I Rana Ahmed Ateeq Anwar PML(N) 119,407 46.10 Rahat Amanullah PTI 90,872 35.09 28,535 49.88%
NA-114 Sheikhupura-II Rana Tanveer Hussain PML(N) 101,111 44.23 Arshad Mehmood Chaudhry PTI 82,026 35.88 18,013 51.92%
NA-115 Sheikhupura-III Khurram Shahzad Virk PTI 130,416 48.53 Mian Javed Latif PML(N) 94,161 35.04 36,111 50.37%
NA-116 Sheikhupura-IV Syed Zaheer Ul Hassan Bukhari PTI 135,062 45.97 Irfan Dogar PML(N) 89,944 30.62 45,118 51.60%
Lahore NA-117 Lahore-I Aleem Khan IPP 91,490 40.05 Ali Ijaz PTI 80,854 35.40 10,651 44.97%
NA-118 Lahore-II Hamza Shahbaz PML(N) 105,948 41.01 Aliya Hamza Malik PTI 100,984 39.08 5,157 35.87%
NA-119 Lahore-III Maryam Nawaz PML(N) 83,856 42.59 Shahzad Farooq PTI 68,384 34.73 15,479 38.59%
NA-120 Lahore-IV Ayaz Sadiq PML(N) 68,037 42.58 Usman Hamza PTI 49,309 30.86 18,921 44.95%
NA-121 Lahore-V Waseem Qadir PML(N) 78,707 42.76 Shaikh Rohale Asghar PML(N) 70,598 38.35 8,106 40.08%
NA-122 Lahore-VI Latif Khosa PTI 117,124 51.51 Khawaja Saad Rafique PML(N) 77,913 34.27 39,400 40.55%
NA-123 Lahore-VII Shehbaz Sharif PML(N) 63,953 41.09 Afzal Azeem Pahat PTI 48,489 31.15 15,467 47.08%
NA-124 Lahore-VIII Rana Mubashir Iqbal PML(N) 55,391 44.31 Zameer Ahmad PTI 43,603 34.88 11,793 41.22%
NA-125 Lahore-IX Afzal Khokhar PML(N) 65,102 40.68 Javaid Umar PTI 51,144 31.96 13,958 48.12%
NA-126 Lahore-X Malik Saif ul Malook Khokhar PML(N) 67,121 44.36 Malik Touqeer Abbas Khokhar PTI 60,506 39.99 6,638 44.01%
NA-127 Lahore-XI Attaullah Tarar PML(N) 98,214 45.22 Malik Zaheer Abbas PTI 82,282 37.89 15,980 41.68%
NA-128 Lahore-XII Aun Chaudhry IPP 172,578 45.77 Salman Akram Raja PTI 159,026 42.18 13,552 56.27%
NA-129 Lahore-XIII Mian Muhammad Azhar PTI 103,739 49.49 Muhammad Numan PML(N) 71,546 34.13 32,178 40.36%
NA-130 Lahore-XIV Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif PML(N) 179310 59 Yasmin Rashid PTI 104485 34 74,825 52.45%
Kasur NA-131 Kasur-I Saad Waseem Akhtar Sheikh PML(N) 110,556 37.54 Muhammad Maqsood Sabir Ansari PTI 79,545 27.01 30,748 53.46%
NA-132 Kasur-II Shehbaz Sharif PML(N) 137,234 46.08 Sardar Muhammad Hussain Dogar PTI 111,128 37.32 26,115 57.76%
NA-133 Kasur-III Azeemuddin Zahid Lakhvi PTI 130,167 41.17 Rana Muhammad Ishaq PML(N) 119,343 37.75 10,757 56.99%
NA-134 Kasur-IV Rana Muhammad Hayat PML(N) 142,322 46.10 Sidra Faisal PTI 76,887 24.90 65,636 55.85%
Okara NA-135 Okara-I Chaudhry Nadeem Abbas PML(N) 129,281 44.14 Malik Muhammad Akram Bhatti PTI 106,755 36.45 22,518 57.66%
NA-136 Okara-II Riaz-ul-Haq PML(N) 127,806 49.52 Rao Hasan Sikandar PTI 80,191 31.07 47,695 52.15%
NA-137 Okara-III Syed Raza Ali Gillani PTI 132,067 46.89 Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan PML(N) 105,470 37.45 26,544 54.80%
NA-138 Okara-IV Muhammad Moeen Wattoo PML(N) 122,775 43.46 Manzoor Wattoo PPP 79,731 28.22 42,986 55.69%
Pakpattan NA-139 Pakpattan-I Ahmad Raza Maneka PML(N) 121,870 38.54 Rao Omar Hashim Khan PTI 116,746 36.92 4,890 54.12%
NA-140 Pakpattan-II Rana Iradat Sharif Khan PML(N) 139,434 43.11 Raja Talia Saeed PTI 104,915 32.44 34,560 55.78%
Sahiwal NA-141 Sahiwal-I Syed Imran Ahmed Shah PML(N) 118,242 41.76 Rana Amir Shahzad Tahir PTI 107,060 37.81 11,184 49.83%
NA-142 Sahiwal-II Chaudhary Usman Ali PTI 107,498 35.56 Chaudhary Muhammad Ashraf PML(N) 96,126 31.80 11,371 53.74%
NA-143 Sahiwal-III Rai Hassan Nawaz PTI 147,887 45.84 Chaudhry Muhammad Tufail Ind. 83,806 25.98 63,667 56.20%
Khanewal NA-144 Khanewal-I Raza Hayat Hiraj PML(N) 119,133 44.83 Syed Abid Hussain Imam Ind. 78,384 29.50 40,703 59.04%
NA-145 Khanewal-II Muhammad Khan Daha PML(N) 102,952 42.52 Abid Mahmood PTI 56,217 23.22 46,723 53.59%
NA-146 Khanewal-III Zahoor Hussain Qureshi PTI 112,777 41.28 Aslam Bodla PML(N) 104,875 38.39 7,927 53.91%
NA-147 Khanewal-IV Chaudhry Iftikhar Nazir PML(N) 107,933 38.63 Naveed Hameed PTI 83,813 30.00 24,314 57.01%
Multan NA-148 Multan-I Yusuf Raza Gilani PPP 68,110 31.09 Malik Taimur Altaf Mahay PTI 67,969 31.02 293 53.10%
NA-149 Multan-II Malik Aamir Dogar PTI 143,692 61.58 Jahangir Tareen IPP 50,175 21.50 93,447 43.78%
NA-150 Multan-III Zain Qureshi PTI 126,775 51.00 Javed Akhtar Ansari PML(N) 76,760 30.88 50,012 43.31%
NA-151 Multan-IV Meher Bano Qureshi PPP 79,080 33.24 Ali Musa Gilani PTI 71,649 30.12 7,431 53.62%
NA-152 Multan-V Abdul Qadir Gillani PPP 96,998 36.74 Syed Javed Ali Shah PML(N) 71,259 26.99 25,739 51.41%
NA-153 Multan-VI Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon PML(N) 95,202 34.91 Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari Ind. 49,104 18.01 46,107 52.08%
Lodhran NA-154 Lodhran-I Rana Muhammad Faraz Noon PTI 134,937 43.65 Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju| PML(N) 128,438 41.55 6,499 57.69%
NA-155 Lodhran-II Siddique Khan Baloch PML(N) 117,687 40.89 Jahangir Tareen IPP 71,131 24.71 46,543 53.08%
Vehari NA-156 Vehari-I Ayesha Nazir Jutt PTI 119,758 46.97 Chaudhry Nazeer Ahmad PML(N) 90,065 35.33 29,467 53.48%
NA-157 Vehari-II Syed Sajid Mehdi PML(N) 99,615 40.14 Sabeen Safdar PTI 80,187 32.31 19,336 55.17%
NA-158 Vehari-III Tehmina Daultana PML(N) 111,219 42.46 Tahir Iqbal Chaudhry PTI 103,137 39.38 8,144 54.83%
NA-159 Vehari-IV Aurangzeb Khan Khichi PTI 116,302 44.01 Saeed Ahmed Khan PML(N) 96,637 36.57 20,007 54.98%
Bahawalnagar NA-160 Bahawalnagar-I Saad Hussain Rizvi PML(N) 118,116 45.16 Syed Muhammad Asghar Shah PTI 110,294 42.17 7,822 61.00%
NA-161 Bahawalnagar-II Alam Dad Lalika PML(N) 100,679 41.51 Shahid Amin PTI 81,772 33.71 18,994 54.13%
NA-162 Bahawalnagar-III Ehsan Ul Haq Bajwa PML(N) 114,379 42.75 Khalil Ahmed PTI 97,980 36.62 16,413 55.96%
NA-163 Bahawalnagar-IV Ijaz-ul-Haq Pakistan Muslim League (Z) 84,343 30.71 Shaukat Basra PTI 75,198 27.38 9,197 57.30%
Bahawalpur NA-164 Bahawalpur-I Riaz Hussain Pirzada PML(N) 123,377 44.65 Malik Ejaz Ahmad Gaddan PTI 117,176 42.40 6,220 57.79%
NA-165 Bahawalpur-II Tariq Bashir Cheema PML(Q) 116,571 38.93 Saud Majeed Ind. 105,758 35.32 11,241 63.75%
NA-166 Bahawalpur-III Makhdoom Syed Sami Ul Hassan Gillani PML(N) 62,157 29.21 Prince Bahawal Abbas Abbasi Ind. 48,606 22.84 13,549 50.35%
NA-167 Bahawalpur-IV Usman Awaisi PML(N) 88,670 37.96 Aamir Yar Malik Ind. 64,037 27.42 24,833 52.14%
NA-168 Bahawalpur-V Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar PML(N) 122,302 59.30 Sami Ullah Chaudhary PTI 50,360 24.42 72,259 46.74%
Rahim Yar Khan NA-169 Rahim Yar Khan-I Makhdoom Syed Murtaza Mehmood PPP 81,187 31.81 Syed Mobeen Ahmed PML(N) 73,533 28.81 7,109 50.21%
NA-170 Rahim Yar Khan-II Mian Ghous Muhammad PTI 113,336 46.37 Sheikh Fayyaz Ud Din PML(N) 79,144 32.38 35,069 49.06%
NA-171 Rahim Yar Khan-III Mumtaz Mustafa PTI 103,834 43.96 Hashim Jawan Bakht IPP 56,028 23.72 47,804 47.23%
NA-172 Rahim Yar Khan-IV Javed Iqbal Warraich PTI 129,727 51.11 Mian Imtiaz Ahmed PML(N) 84,893 33.45 44,780 50.52%
NA-173 Rahim Yar Khan-V Makhdoom Syed Mustafa Mehmood PPP 83,120 35.10 Muhammad Nabeel Dahir PTI 80,304 33.91 2,816 50.46%
NA-174 Rahim Yar Khan-VI Azhar Laghari PML(N) 78,680 30.84 Syed Usman Mehmood PPP 71,559 28.05 7,121 52.07%
Muzaffargarh NA-175 Muzaffargarh-I Jamshed Dasti PTI 113,391 42.47 Mehr Irshad Ahmed Sial PPP 72,058 26.99 41,256 60.13%
NA-176 Muzaffargarh-II Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar PPP 53,944 23.64 Syed Basit Sultan Bukhari PML(N) 43,711 19.15 10,155 53.30%
NA-177 Muzaffargarh-III Moazam Ali Khan Jatoi PTI 113,892 50.93 Syeda Shehr Bano Bukhari PML(N) 67,964 30.39 45,928 53.72%
NA-178 Muzaffargarh-IV Sardar Aamir Talal Khan Gopang PML(N) 114,678 50.94 Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi PTI 88,404 39.27 25,884 54.38%
Kot Addu NA-179 Kot Addu-I Shabbir Ali Qureshi PTI 104,329 48.46 Malik Ghulam Qasim Hanjra PML(N) 83,581 38.82 16,076 57.46%
NA-180 Kot Addu-II Mian Fayyaz Hussain Chhajrra PTI 96,275 48.42 Raza Rabbani Khar PPP 49,515 24.90 46,759 51.93%
Layyah NA-181 Layyah-I Anbar Majeed Khan Niazi PTI 120,544 36.70 Faiz Ul Hassan PML(N) 95,109 28.95 25,418 59.28%
NA-182 Layyah-II Malik Awais Jakhar PTI 141,973 44.26 Syed Muhammad Saqlain Shah Bukhari PML(N) 118,686 37.00 23,215 60.24%
Taunsa NA-183 Taunsa Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood PTI 134,501 51.23 Amjad Farooq Khan PML(N) 88,489 33.70 46,845 57.40%
Dera Ghazi Khan NA-184 Dera Ghazi Khan-I Abdul Qadir Khan Khosa PML(N) 111,296 45.11 Ali Muhammad PTI 109,856 44.53 1,203 56.36%
NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan-II Zartaj Gul PTI 94,927 51.41 Mehmood Qadir Khan Ind. 39,235 21.25 61,952 49.62%
NA-186 Dera Ghazi Khan-III Awais Leghari PML(N) 100,252 47.18 Sajjad Hussain PTI 97,990 46.12 1,921 56.04%
Rajanpur NA-187 Rajanpur-I Ammar Ahmed Khan Laghari PML(N) 79,811 42.43 Muhammad Atif Ali Drishak PTI 67,321 35.79 11,255 49.53%
NA-188 Rajanpur-II Hafeez-ur-Rehman Dreshak PML(N) 85,979 47.29 Ahmad Ali Khan Dreshak PTI 70,262 38.65 15,630 50.53%
NA-189 Rajanpur-III Shamsher Ali Mazari PML(N) 83,628 45.01 Sardar Riaz Mehmood Khan Mazari PML(N) 73,394 39.50 10,490 52.10%
Sindh Jacobabad NA-190 Jacobabad Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani PPP 126,411 63.44 Muhammad Mian Soomro Ind. 61,555 30.89 66,158 42.65%
Jacobabad
Kashmore
NA-191 Jacobabad-cum-Kashmore Ali Jan Mazari PPP 103,548 48.16 Shazane Khan JUI(F) 101,874 47.38 3,310 46.22%
Jacobabad
Kashmore
Shikarpur
NA-192 Kashmore-cum-Shikarpur Mir Shabbir Bijarani PPP 124,979 58.96 Muhammad Ibrahim Jatoi JUI(F) 76,970 36.31 48,333 54.99%
Shikarpur NA-193 Shikarpur Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar PPP 138,634 64.05 Rashid Mahmood Soomro JUI(F) 59,519 27.50 74,929 44.48%
Larkana NA-194 Larkana-I Bilawal Bhutto Zardari PPP 136,167 74.85 Rashid Mahmood Soomro JUI(F) 35,526 19.53 99,801 43.10%
NA-195 Larkana-II Nazeer Ahmed Baghio PPP 133,830 70.72 Safdar Ali Abbasi GDA 48,893 25.84 84,937 45.92%
Qambar Shahdadkot NA-196 Qambar Shahdadkot-I Bilawal Bhutto Zardari PPP 85,370 63.06 Nasir Mehmood JUI(F) 34,499 25.48 50,871 34.89%
NA-197 Qambar Shahdadkot-II Mir Aamir Ali Khan Magsi PPP 88,130 70.58 Muhammad Uzair Jagirani JUI(F) 24,199 19.38 63,931 32.86%
Ghotki NA-198 Ghotki-I Khalid Ahmed Khan Lund PPP 120,259 51.10 Abdul Haque Alias Mian Mitha PTI 90,629 38.51 29,630 55.16%
NA-199 Ghotki-II Ali Gohar Khan Mahar PPP 154,832 75.25 Abdul Qayoom JUI(F) 40,204 19.54 114,628 46.92%
Sukkur NA-200 Sukkur-I Nauman Islam Shaikh PPP 98,244 56.58 Deedar Ali GDA 41,970 24.17 55,177 39.44%
NA-201 Sukkur-II Khurshid Shah PPP 121,556 66.83 Muhammad Saleh Indhar JUI(F) 53,625 29.48 66,917 50.42%
Khairpur NA-202 Khairpur-I Nafisa Shah PPP 152,511 77.02 Ghous Ali Shah GDA 30,026 15.16 117,470 45.62%
NA-203 Khairpur-II Fazal Ali Shah PPP 128,830 54.89 Pir Sadaruddin Shah GDA 98,236 41.85 30,594 57.05%
NA-204 Khairpur-III Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani PPP 113,022 54.49 Moazzam Ali Khan GDA 87,501 42.18 24,748 43.52%
Naushahro Feroze NA-205 Naushahro Feroze-I Sayed Abrar Ali Shah PPP 126,056 57.73 Asghar Ali Shah PML(N) 55,001 25.19 68,271 46.34%
NA-206 Naushahro Feroze-II Zulfiqar Ali Behan PPP 135,864 60.90 Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi GDA 77,202 34.60 58,039 49.75%
Nawabshah NA-207 Nawabshah-I Asif Ali Zardari PPP 147,465 68.52 Sardar Sher Muhammad Rind Baloch PTI 51,925 24.13 95,073 44.64%
NA-208 Nawabshah-II Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah PPP 127,181 61.37 Syed Zainulabdin GDA 59,402 28.67 66,780 51.00%
Sanghar NA-209 Sanghar-I Shazia Marri PPP 156,723 51.22 Muhammad Khan Junejo GDA 140,370 45.88 16,398 52.33%
NA-210 Sanghar-II Salahuddin Junejo PPP 150,196 54.60 Saira Bano GDA 108,194 39.33 42,001 47.11%
Mirpur Khas NA-211 Mirpur Khas-I Aftab Hussain Shah Jillani PPP 84,512 46.48 Syed Ali Nawaz Shah Rizvi Ind. 53,881 29.64 30,632 43.86%
NA-212 Mirpur Khas-II Mir Munawar Ali Talpur PPP 122,291 62.11 Syed Ali Nawaz Shah Rizvi Ind. 45,359 23.04 76,651 47.37%
Umerkot NA-213 Umerkot Nawab Yousuf Talpur PPP 179,188 62.82 Mir Amanullah Khan Talpur PML(N) 44,961 15.76 130,315 51.39%
Tharparkar NA-214 Tharparkar-I Pir Ameer Ali Shah Jeelani PPP 132,365 61.72 Abdul Razzaque Rahimoon GDA 60,829 28.36 69,747 71.93%
NA-215 Tharparkar-II Mahesh Kumar Malani PPP 135,287 50.07 Arbab Ghulam Rahim GDA 114,329 42.31 18,715 67.96%
Matiari NA-216 Matiari Makhdoom Jamiluzaman PPP 124,536 57.57 Bashir Ahmed PML(N) 80,439 37.19 44,097 53.83%
Tando Allahyar NA-217 Tando Allahyar Zulfiqar Sattar Bachani PPP 119,530 57.32 Rahila Magsi GDA 73,778 35.38 45,752 47.77%
Hyderabad NA-218 Hyderabad-I Syed Hussain Tariq PPP 108,598 81.41 Muhammad Rizwan GDA 7,942 5.95 100,655 40.84%
NA-219 Hyderabad-II Abdul Aleem Khanzada MQM-P 55,050 37.93 Mustansir Billah PTI 38,316 26.40 16,735 34.91%
NA-220 Hyderabad-III Syed Waseem Hussain MQM-P 64,531 36.81 Faisal Mughal PTI 52,025 29.67 12,506 38.60%
Tando Muhammad Khan NA-221 Tando Muhammad Khan Naveed Qamar PPP 111,738 68.58 Muhammad Irfan PTI 23,840 14.63 87,082 48.28%
Badin NA-222 Badin-I Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur PPP 113,989 57.04 Mir Hussain Bux Talpur GDA 67,011 33.53 46,906 44.88%
NA-223 Badin-II Rasool Bakhsh Chandio PPP 115,299 52.28 Muhammad Hassam Mirza GDA 78,711 35.69 36,529 49.54%
Sujawal NA-224 Sujawal Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi PPP 134,056 72.05 Molvi Muhammad Saleh Alhadad JUI(F) 15,314 8.23 118,692 46.94%
Thatta NA-225 Thatta Sadiq Ali Memon PPP 140,773 75.40 Rasool Bux Jakhro PML(N) 28,899 15.48 111,874 37.33%
Jamshoro NA-226 Jamshoro Malik Asad Sikandar PPP 165,044 74.23 Syed Munir Hyder Shah GDA 30,876 13.89 134,168 48.42%
Dadu NA-227 Dadu-I Irfan Ali Leghari PPP 104,141 50.74 Liaquat Ali Jatoi GDA 94,877 46.23 10,057 44.70%
NA-228 Dadu-II Rafiq Ahmed Jamali PPP 98,873 58.25 Karim Ali Jatoi GDA 49,302 29.05 49,348 39.53%
Malir NA-229 Karachi Malir-I Jam Abdul Karim Bijar PPP 55,730 53.74 Qadir Bux PML(N) 21,841 21.06 33,891 45.62%
NA-230 Karachi Malir-II Syed Rafiullah PPP 32,099 32.25 Masroor Ali PTI 23,370 23.48 8,729 40.88%
NA-231 Karachi Malir-III Abdul Hakeem Baloch PPP 43,634 33.54 Khalid Mehmood Ali PTI 43,245 33.24 389 38.71%
Korangi NA-232 Karachi Korangi-I Aasia Ishaque MQM-P 84,592 33.56 Adeel Ahmed PTI 66,753 26.48 17,839 43.06%
NA-233 Karachi Korangi-II Muhammad Javed Hanif Khan MQM-P 103,967 42.20 Muhammad Haris PTI 58,753 23.85 45,214 46.82%
NA-234 Karachi Korangi-III Muhammad Moin Aamir Pirzada MQM-P 72,009 41.60 Faheem Khan PTI 44,487 25.70 29,913 45.40%
Karachi East NA-235 Karachi East-I Muhammad Iqbal Khan MQM-P 20,185 30.01 Saifur Rehman Khan PTI 14,167 21.06 6,018 40.51%
NA-236 Karachi East-II Hassaan Sabir MQM-P 38,871 28.76 Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi PPP 32,231 23.85 6,640 24.93%
NA-237 Karachi East-III Asad Alam Niazi PPP 40,840 28.22 Zahoor Uddin PTI 33,322 23.03 7,515 35.66%
NA-238 Karachi East-IV Sadiq Iftikhar MQM-P 54,885 32.67 Haleem Adil Sheikh PTI 36,885 21.95 18,009 30.49%
Karachi South NA-239 Karachi South-I Nabil Gabol PPP 40,027 30.98 Muhammad Yasir PTI 37,285 28.85 2,843 31.22%
NA-240 Karachi South-II Arshad Abdullah Vohra MQM-P 30,573 26.59 Ramzan Ghanchi PTI 27,318 23.76 3,255 30.22%
NA-241 Karachi South-III Mirza Ikhtiar Baig PPP 52,456 47.58 Khurrum Sher Zaman PTI 48,610 44.10 3,846 23.83%
Keamari NA-242 Karachi Keamari-I Syed Mustafa Kamal MQM-P 71,527 37.89 Dawa Khan PTI 53,770 28.47 18,008 43.69%
NA-243 Karachi Keamari-II Abdul Qadir Patel PPP 60,266 36.08 Shujaat Ali PTI 48,690 29.15 11,576 37.49%
Karachi West NA-244 Karachi West-I Farooq Sattar MQM-P 20,048 33.76 Aftab Jehangir PTI 14,073 23.70 5,975 38.95%
NA-245 Karachi West-II Syed Hafeezuddin MQM-P 57,356 36.05 Attaullah Niazi PTI 36,788 23.12 20,568 43.23%
NA-246 Karachi West-III Syed Aminul Haque MQM-P 74,177 40.37 Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman JI 32,011 17.42 42,340 44.00%
Karachi Central NA-247 Karachi Central-I Khawaja Izharul Hassan MQM-P 65,050 34.69 Syed Abbas Husnain PTI 52,058 27.85 12,992 43.51%
NA-248 Karachi Central-II Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui MQM-P 103,082 38.87 Arslan Khalid PTI 86,342 32.56 16,740 44.36%
NA-249 Karachi Central-III Ahmed Salim Siddiqui MQM-P 77,529 38.68 Uzair Ali Khan PTI 51,152 25.52 26,377 36.63%
NA-250 Karachi Central-IV Farhan Chishti MQM-P 79,925 42.43 Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman JI 43,659 23.18 36,266 34.51%
Balochistan Killa Saifullah
Zhob
Sherani
NA-251 Sherani-cum-Zhob-cum-Killa Saifullah Syed Samiullah JUI(F) 46,210 32.90 Khushal Khan Kakar PNAP 46,117 32.83 93 45.77%
Musakhel
Barkhan
Loralai
Duki
NA-252 Musakhel-cum-Barkhan-cum-Loralai-cum-Duki Sardar Yaqoob Nasar PML(N) 55,003 28.45 Sardar Babar Khan Musakhel PTI 53,125 27.48 791 57.39%
Ziarat
Harnai
Sibbi
Kohlu
Dera Bugti
NA-253 Ziarat-cum-Harnai-cum-Sibbi-cum-Kohlu-cum-Dera Bugti Mian Khan Mondrani PML(N) 54,506 23.29 Mir Dostain Khan Domki PML(N) 45,532 19.45 7,041 53.35%
Kachhi
Jhal Magsi
Nasirabad
NA-254 Nasirabad-cum-Kachhi-cum-Jhal Magsi Khalid Hussain Magsi BAP 79,304 54.72 Nizam Ud Din Lehri JUI(F) 44,814 30.92 34,541 47.02%
Sohbatpur
Jafarabad
Usta Muhammad
Nasirabad
NA-255 Sohbat Pur-cum-Jaffarabad-cum-Usta Muhammad-cum-Nasirabad Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali PML(N) 45,404 24.85 Mir Changez Khan Jamali PPP 39,398 21.56 5,943 37.40%
Khuzdar NA-256 Khuzdar Akhtar Mengal BNP(M) 65,952 48.26 Abdul Rehman PPP 29,074 21.28 36,747 48.46%
Hub
Lasbela
Awaran
NA-257 Hub-cum-Lasbela-cum-Awaran Jam Kamal Khan PML(N) 78,649 43.97 Mohammad Aslam Bhutani Ind. 59,350 33.18 18,573 51.57%
Panjgur
Kech
NA-258 Panjgur-cum-Kech Waja Pullain Baloch NP 22,318 37.47 Noor Ahmed Adil BNP(A) 13,798 23.17 8,499 27.04%
Kech
Gwadar
NA-259 Kech-cum-Gwadar Malik Shah Gorgaij PPP 40,778 35.90 Abdul Malik Baloch NP 22,313 19.65 18,480 38.20%
Chagai
Nushki
Kharan
Washuk
NA-260 Chagai-cum-Nushki-cum-Kharan-cum-Washuk Usman Badini JUI(F) 42,800 25.15 Sardar Fateh Muhammad Muhammad Hassani PML(N) 35,629 20.94 7,045 48.56%
Kalat
Surab
Mastung
NA-261 Surab-cum-Kalat-cum-Mastung Abdul Ghafoor Haideri BNP(M) 31,713 27.89 Akhtar Mengal JUI(F) 27,465 24.15 1,643 39.05%
Quetta NA-262 Quetta-I Adil Khan Bazai PTI 20,278 25.98 Malik Sikandar Khan JUI(F) 12,887 16.51 7,400 33.21%
NA-263 Quetta-II Jamal Shah Kakar PML(N) 27,175 23.48 Salar Khan Kakar PTI 25,372 21.91 1,802 28.35%
NA-264 Quetta-III Jamal Raisani PPP 14,977 24.90 Akhtar Mengal BNP(M) 10,057 16.72 749 31.10%
Pishin NA-265 Pishin Fazal-ur-Rehman JUI(F) 52,436 42.16 Khushal Khan Kakar PNAP 31,438 25.28 20,993 40.91%
Killa Abdullah
Chaman
NA-266 Killa Abdullah-cum-Chaman Mahmood Khan Achakzai PkMAP 67,530 33.34 Maulana Salahuddin Ayyubi JUI(F) 58,590 28.92 8,589 56.81%

Allegations of rigging

The election saw delays in the reporting of results across thousands of polling stations, sparking controversy. Initial reports suggested PTI-backed candidates were leading,[115] but the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) refuted these claims.[177] Instances of alleged tampering emerged, including significant discrepancies in vote counts and unexpected shifts in results.[178][179][180] PTI officials accused the ECP of manipulation and initiated legal challenges.[181][182][183] Concerns grew as delays persisted, with accusations of internet shutdowns aimed at impeding opposition efforts.[184][112] PTI leaders contested official results, claiming widespread irregularities and fabrications, prompting legal action and calls for resignations within the ECP.[185][186] Revelations of electoral fraud surfaced, including admissions from officials implicated in rigging.[187] Despite retractions,[188] doubts lingered, leading to urgent calls for investigations by election monitoring groups like the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).[189] The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) underscored declining fairness in its independent evaluation of the election, advocating for a thorough investigation by the ECP to address systemic issues.[190]

On 17 February, Rawalpindi Division commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha resigned from his post after admitting his role in electoral fraud in the locality where 11 out of a total of 13 national assembly seats were won by PML-N candidates.[187] He claimed his office helped candidates, who were trailing in the actual vote counts by approximately 70,000 votes per candidate, to secure victory using fake stamps.[191][192] He implicated Chief Electoral Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa in the scheme.[193][194][195][196] The ECP denied the allegations, saying that divisional commissioners had no direct role in the electoral process, and said it would launch an inquiry.[193][197] Isa rejected the commissioner's allegation, calling them "baseless".[198] The PTI also called for an investigation.[199] Following his announcement, Chattha surrendered to police, who sealed off his office as part of an investigation.[200] In addition to the PTI, PML-N senator also demanded the resignation of Sikandar Sultan Raja over the rigging allegations.[201]

Following Chattha's statement, X (formerly Twitter) was subsequently blocked in Pakistan,[202][203][204] without explanation. President Alvi commented that the blocking of social media websites in Pakistan reflected a lack of intellectual capacity to manage criticism.[205] The government initially dismissed reports of Twitter being blocked, but a document presented to the court on 20 March revealed that the Ministry of Interior and intelligence agencies had ordered the suspension of the website on 17 February, following a statement of Chattha's alleging election rigging. After more than a month, the government acknowledged on 20 March that Twitter was blocked in Pakistan.[206][207][208]

On 22 February however, Chattha retracted his claims of election rigging and apologised to the ECP, saying that the PTI offered a strong position for making the allegations.[209][210][188] He also said that his mention of the Chief Justice of Pakistan was "taken to create mistrust in general public" against Qazi Faiz Isa.[211]

Disinformation

Rumors spread on social media claiming that international media outlets had reported the PTI winning over 150 seats. However, a fact-check conducted by iVerify found no evidence to support these claims.[212]

The official Twitter account of Imran Khan, the de facto leader of the PTI, was involved in disseminating false information by sharing a fabricated video purportedly showing post-election rigging.[213]

Exit polling

According to Gallup Pakistan's exit poll survey, bachelor and master's degree holders were more likely to support the PTI.[214]

International analysis

Media outlets around the world denounced the election as "fraudulent"[17] with western media characterized the election as already decided, favoring the military-backed candidate Nawaz Sharif.[114]

The New York Times wrote the election results had caught many off guard, as the PML-N was widely anticipated to secure a landslide victory with the backing of the military. The report noted that voters expressed frustration with the military's interference in politics and opted to vote for PTI candidates in defiance of the military generals.[215] It went on to say the election results had humiliated the military establishment and started a new political crisis in the country.[216] Another article by the same newspaper said that the growing public discontent with military interference in politics is likely to pressure Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir, with his only options being to reconcile with Imran Khan or push forward with an anti-Khan coalition, which many analysts believe would be weak and unsustainable.[217]

The Washington Post in its editorial board wrote following the election outcome, the military's control is being questioned more than ever before, possibly in decades as for the first time, the military-preferred candidate, Nawaz Sharif, was unable to win the most seats.[12] In a separate piece, it wrote that the youth of Pakistan caused the most significant election upset in the country's recent history saying that the youth is increasingly discontented with economic uncertainty and blame corruption and political dynasties. This dissatisfaction is now being expressed more openly on social media, potentially straining the relationship between civilian leaders and the military which will have long-lasting effects.[112] It also wrote that the election results were a humiliation for Sharif, despite being seen as the favoured candidate of the Pakistani military, which had held significant influence in determining the prime minister.[218]

France 24 called the election "The 'generals' elections' which turned against the military". It also dubbed the election as the "most rigged" in the country's history saying the military was seen as backing Nawaz Sharif.[219] According to Time, the Pakistani military did everything to "sideline Imran Khan—and failed," but said that the military was continuing to try and prevent the PTI from returning to power[220] calling the election result as an embarrassment for Sharif.[221]

Ryan Grim in an article published by The Intercept wrote the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was poised to manipulate the election outcome to ensure Nawaz Sharif's victory. However, they were overwhelmed by the unexpected surge of PTI support.[114] In a different piece, Grim wrote that the historic turnout in Pakistan was swamping the military's effort to rig the election and that the military has proved unable to suppress the populist movement interrogating its authority.[115] The Economist called the election "botched", but wrote that the military favours the "shabby" result, fearing that it would lose its economic benefits shout it give up power.[222] It also suggested that the despite their efforts, the military leadership did not seem to have as much control as they believed to prevent Khan from winning.[223] It also said the election outcome was a strong message to the military and could potentially mark a shift in its influence over Pakistani politics, while adding that a prolonged period of political instability could occur in the short-term. It called the electoral process "dubious" which was preceded by a coordinated campaign by the military against Imran Khan.[224]

The Guardian noted that suspicions of military rigging arose during election day due to a nationwide mobile phone blackout and the slow counting of results, leading to concerns that the military was exerting influence to secure the PML-N's success.[225] It added that the military's attempts to influence the election appeared to have been thwarted, particularly due to the PTI's effective utilization of social media, given the significant levels of illiteracy in the country.[226] In a separate article, The Guardian noted analysts' views that the election results and potential weak coalition government align with the military's interests, protecting their political and business agendas.[8]

The Financial Times in its editorial called the election results "flawed" and "shocking", at the same time describing it as a rejection of military influence.[113] Pakistani columnist Khurram Husain was quoted in a separate piece in the newspaper as saying that Pakistan will experience not only the influence of the military but also a collaborative endeavour involving the judiciary and major political parties to thwart the PTI from assuming power.[227]

The New York Post, referencing the New York Times article, stated that this election marks the initial instance in Pakistan's history where a party has achieved such success without the support of the military and this will spark a new political chaos in the country.[228] According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation the election results did not unfold as per the military's expectations and had shaken the elite. Hasan Askari Rizvi was quoted as saying, "This is a negative vote for the policies that the military was pursuing.".[229]

Sameer Arshad Khatlani in an opinion piece for the Dhaka Tribune wrote "Election results seem to be blowing up in the military establishment's face which attempted to make Imran Khan irrelevant by jailing him, cracking down PTI".[230] Lipika Pelham wrote for the BBC saying despite PTI-backed independents winning the majority of seats in parliament, they were unlikely to be permitted to form a government.[231]

During an interview with The Wire, Najam Sethi remarked that Imran Khan and the PTI had strongly resisted the influence of the military, which led to the latter resorting to last-minute rigging efforts.[232] Firstpost wrote that the Pakistani military had experienced a setback, at least temporarily, with public sentiment turning against it. It also noted that allegations of electoral fraud by the military put Western countries in a difficult position, given their historic support of the military to ensure the security of the country's nuclear arsenal.[233] It added that "General Asim Munir's tenure may be remembered as one of the darkest for the army, with its reputation suffering greatly under his leadership." It also raised concern over Munir's post-election speech, describing it as uncommon.[234] The Times of India also described Munir as the primary loser of the election.[235] The Indian Express wrote that the unexpected success of the PTI forced the military to manipulate results to avoid an unfavourable outcome. Consequently, there were delays in announcing results, and internet and mobile services were suspended in numerous regions. Meanwhile, Pakistani social media platforms were flooded with videos depicting alleged rigging and manipulation.[236] The Deccan Herald wrote that although the election results represented a significant setback for the military, and would potentially undermine General Munir's position, but it was unlikely that the military will relinquish its influential role in determining the next prime minister.[237]

According to Al Jazeera, numerous analysts suggest that Sharif's return to electoral politics was made possible due to the military's decision to support him in the election. However, despite this tacit support from the military, Sharif failed to win.[238]

Foreign Policy wrote that one clear thing is the old methods used to silence people's voices are no longer effective. A new generation of young voters has emerged in Pakistan who are calling for a departure from the past and seeking the ability to elect their leaders, rather than allowing the military, which has historically dominated politics to maintain control over the country.[91] In a separate piece, it wrote that one key factor in the PTI's success in the election was their refusal to let the military control the election's outcome, despite their efforts to ensure the PTI's defeat, and that the PTI's challenge to break the military's grip on politics, has sparked some hope for the future of Pakistan's democracy and wrote that accusations of military's vote manipulation will further fuel anti-establishment feelings in the country.[239]

Reruns

The ECP ordered elections to be held again on 15 February in twenty-six polling stations of the NA-88 Khushab-II constituency in Punjab after a mob destroyed election materials at the office of the returning officer. Due to security issues re-polling was ordered in six polling stations of NA-43 Tank-cum-Dera Ismail Khan constituency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to be held on 17 February. Elections were also ordered repeated in the provincial assembly constituencies in PS-18 Ghotki-I in Sindh and PK-90 Kohat-I in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after election materials were either stolen or destroyed.[240][241]

International observers

In October 2023, the ECP issued invitations to foreign election observers, emphasizing transparency in the election process.[242] Before the elections, Pakistan received visa applications from 81 foreign journalists and 38 international observers. Visa applications were processed, and accreditation was made mandatory for foreign observers upon arrival in Pakistan.[243] Eligible applicants were in the process of being approved with visas.[244][245] The Pakistan High Commission in London issued visas to 37 British journalists, including prominent figures such as Christina Lamb of The Times, allowing them to cover the election proceedings in Pakistan.[246]

A team from the Commonwealth, led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, was sent to Pakistan to monitor the elections.[247] The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), commended the ECP for its role in maintaining peace and smooth conduct during the elections.[248] Despite the recent suspension of mobile and internet services, the observers confirmed that the voting process in Pakistan remained uninterrupted.[249] Jonathan emphasized the importance of casting votes over internet services. The COG released its initial findings, acknowledging the efforts of the ECP and other institutions in organizing the general elections.[250]

The European Union (EU) did not send a full election observation mission as it had done in previous years. The European Union informed the Pakistani Government that it would not be able to deploy a full mission due to lack of time. Instead, a small team of experts visited Pakistan during the elections. Ambassador of the European Union in Pakistan Ms. Reena Kivinka said that various government officials have been informed about this decision. Despite the absence of a full EU observer group, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) maintained an open-door policy and welcomed an observation mission for the upcoming general elections. The small EU expert mission was still able to provide valuable insight into the electoral process.[251][252]

Aftermath

Protests were held by the PTI and other parties in cities across Pakistan to protest alleged electoral fraud. Dozens were arrested following protests in Lahore while highways were blocked in Balochistan.[253] On 14 February, the JUI-F's leader Fazal-ur-Rehman said that he rejected the election results and announced that his party would stage protests against the ECP.[254] Awami National Party provincial president for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Aimal Wali Khan in a press conference rejected the results of the elections, claiming they were already decided before voting began. He admitted their past cooperation with the establishment was a mistake and vowed not to work with them anymore. He also accused the military of using the country's resources for their benefit.[255]

On 12 February, Jahangir Tareen and Pervez Khattak announced their decision to retire from politics entirely, while Siraj-ul-Haq resigned from his position as the emir of Jamaat-i-Islami.[256] Later, Khattak stepped down as the leader of the PTI-Parliamentarians[257] while Jamaat-e-Islami unanimously refused to accept Haq's resignation as its leader.[258]

On 16 February, the PTI held a press conference where they labelled the election as the "largest voter fraud" in Pakistan's history, targeting the party and its candidates. They asserted that 85 seats had been unfairly taken away from them.[259][260]

The party announced plans for nationwide protests on 17 February to denounce widespread electoral rigging.[261] On the same day, PTI-affiliated candidate Salman Akram Raja was arrested in Lahore while participating in a protest.[262]

During the first Senate session after the election, there were widespread calls by members for an inquiry into the election process, with senators from the JI and the PTI urging legal action against the chief election commissioner.[263]

In September 2025, Imran Khan addressed a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi in which he raised concerns about his imprisonment conditions and broader political developments. In the letter, Khan claimed that PTI had won a "landslide victory" in the 2024 general elections despite political repression, but alleged that the public mandate was "stolen overnight," undermining the democratic process and constitutional order. He also referred to the Commonwealth Observer Group’s report on the elections, which, according to Drop Site News, was "buried" after it found significant problems with the polls.[264]

Formation of a new federal government

On 10 February, in an AI-generated victory speech from prison, Imran Khan claimed that based on completed forms provided by polling agents, his party had won a two-thirds majority.[265][266] On 13 February, the PTI announced that it would try and form a government through its affiliated independent candidates in the national level and in Punjab with the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) party. It also said that it would seek to form a coalition with the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JI) party to lead a government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Khan had previously said that he would not engage with the PML-N's Nawaz Sharif and the PPP's Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, calling them "corrupt".[267] On 14 February, the JI rejected the proposed coalition with the PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing a change in the latter's stance over the formation of the provincial government, as the PTI only offered a coalition at the provincial level, not nationally.[268][269]

Nawaz Sharif, whose party won a plurality of seats in parliament, said that he would seek to build a governing coalition with the PPP.[270] Since the election, at least six winning independent candidates to the National Assembly have announced that they would be joining the PML-N, including PTI-affiliated candidate Waseem Qadir, who was previously a PML-N member until 2018.[271] He alleged he was abducted and therefore he re-joined PML-N, but skeptics suggested he was bribed.[17]

After the election results, both Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who were contenders for the prime minister's position, withdrew from the race.[272] On 13 February, at a press conference at the residence of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q)'s Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in Islamabad, the PML-N's Shehbaz Sharif, the PPP's Asif Ali Zardari, Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan's Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Balochistan Awami Party's Sadiq Sanjrani and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party's Aleem Khan announced that their parties had agreed to form a coalition government.[23] PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that Shehbaz was the prime ministerial nominee following his elder brother Nawaz's recommendation.[22] PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that he would endorse a PML-N nominee for prime minister and that the PPP would not join the next cabinet. He also expressed a desire to see his father Asif Ali Zardari return as president, and said that his party would field nominees for the chairmanship of the Pakistani Senate and the speakership of the National Assembly.[267] A senior PPP leader was quoted as saying that the party preferred to have a minimal role in the coalition government saying that "We don't want to take that heavy responsibility."[273] Analysts suggest that this arrangement seemed to enjoy the backing of the military.[273] JUI-F chief Fazal-ur-Rehman, a long-time ally of the PML-N, declined to support the PML-N and instead suggested that the PML-N should sit on the opposition benches.[272] The coalition agreement between the PML-N and the PPP was finalized on 20 February, with Shahbaz Sharif as prime minister and Asif Ali Zardari as president.[274][275] Media termed this coalition as "PDM 2.0" in reference to the previous coalition led by PML-N and PPP following Imran Khan's removal as prime minister.[276] Khurshid Shah revealed that the PPP initially approached the PTI instead of the PML-N to explore possibilities in forming a government but was turned down by the PTI.[277][278]

Only three weeks before the election, Bhutto Zardari had criticized the PML-N saying their "policies had hurt the country's economy," and remarked "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me", when asked about the possibility of entering into a coalition with the PML-N.[279] In response, Imran Khan called the upcoming coalition a "daylight robbery" and warned "against the misadventure of forming a government with stolen votes."[280] Akhtar Mengal, the president of the Balochistan National Party (Mengal), said that the PML-N and PPP-led coalition would collapse within one and a half years due to the parties "blackmailing" each other, citing previous coalition governments.[281] Observers noted that the increased support for the PTI had changed the power dynamics, making a Sharif-led government seem weak even before it began.[273] A PML-N leader, speaking anonymously, acknowledged that the party might not complete its full five-year term if it forms a government and stated that the party's entire election campaign centred around Nawaz Sharif becoming the prime minister, which resulted in feelings of betrayal and disappointment among supporters when Nawaz chose to nominate Shehbaz for the position instead.[282] JUI-F chief Fazal-ur-Rehman also reiterated his belief that the incoming coalition government is unlikely to complete its full five-year tenure.[283] He further cautioned about the risk of a "system collapse" in the country due to excessive interference from the establishment and added that the establishment aimed to ensure that people aligned with their preferences were elected to the assemblies.[284]

On 27 February, a leaked video surfaced showing MQM-P leader Syed Mustafa Kamal, where he was shown saying during an MQM-P party meeting that PML-N leaders informed him about the PPP's claim that the "MQM-P's mandate is 100% fake". Kamal later confirmed the authenticity of this video.[285][286][287] Later on the same day, Sindh Governor and MQM-P leader Kamran Tessori also acknowledged in another leaked audio recording that the MQM-P "did not get votes in this election," and emphasized the difference from the 2018 general election when MQM-P obtained seven seats, which was their actual vote bank.[288]

On 16 February, senior PTI official Asad Qaiser said that Imran Khan had nominated Omar Ayub Khan, a grandson of former military ruler Muhammad Ayub Khan, as the PTI's nominee for prime minister, despite him being in hiding over charges relating to the May 9 riots.[289] The PTI also nominated Mian Aslam Iqbal and Ali Amin Gandapur as its respective nominees for chief minister in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[290] Later that day however, PTI official Muhammad Ali Saif stated that the party had chosen to be in the opposition both at the federal level and in Punjab, following the directives of Imran Khan.[291]

On 19 February, the PTI announced that it would form an alliance with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) solely to secure its portion of reserved seats in the National, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.[292][293] Following the announcement, nearly all PTI-backed independent candidates in national and provincial assemblies submitted affidavits to the ECP, officially joining the SIC[294] and approached the ECP to claim their reserved seats. However, the PPP, the PML-N, and the MQM-P challenged the allocation of reserved seats to the PTI/SIC bloc, arguing that the latter did not qualify as a "parliamentary party". PTI chair Gohar Ali also emphasized that an NA session could not be called without first notifying the reserved seats for the PTI-backed SIC bloc.[295] The ECP withheld the allocation of 78 out of the total 226 reserved seats for women and minorities in the national and four provincial assemblies. By 26 February, these 78 reserved seats were pending allocation to the PTI/SIC, awaiting the ECP's decision.[296]

Inauguration of the National Assembly

President Arif Alvi declined to convene the National Assembly's inaugural session, which is typically summoned within 21 days of the general elections as per the constitution. He was also of the view that Assembly was not complete and therefore the ECP should distribute the reserved seats for women and minorities to the PTI-backed SIC bloc. As a result, he faced significant criticism from the PPP and the PML-N[297][298] who asserted that the President's action amounts to "abrogating the Constitution" by not convening the session, and warned of potential legal consequences.[299] Imran Khan also endorsed Alvi's decision to decline the summoning of the session and said that they were drafting a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF),[300] urging for the condition that any of its discussions with the incoming PML-N/PPP coalition government should be contingent upon an independent audit of the general election.[301] This action was heavily criticized by the PML-N and the PPP, who argued that sending such a letter would be tantamount to inviting foreign intervention in the country's domestic affairs.[302] On 28 February, the National Assembly Secretariat scheduled the inaugural session for 29 February at 10 a.m., bypassing the need for notification from Alvi.[303] At the very last moment, Alvi relented and approved a summary for calling the inaugural session late at night, albeit with reservations about the tone of the summary from caretaker prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.[304]

On 29 February, a total of 302 newly elected legislators took their oaths, marking the commencement of the 16th National Assembly. The maiden session, however, was disrupted by chaos and slogans in favour of Imran Khan. This was the first time where PTI MNAs were able (due to parliamentary privilege) to chant Imran Khan's name and display his photos on live TV since a ban was imposed on mentioning his name on television. The PTI's nominee for the premiership, Omar Ayub Khan, along with PTI chair Gohar Ali Khan, emphasized during their addresses to the session that the Assembly remained incomplete as MNAs nominated for reserved seats were unable to attend the session and take the oath.[305][306] On 4 March, a five-member bench of the ECP, chaired by CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja, delivered a much-awaited 4-1 verdict to dismiss the plea from the PTI/SIC for reserved seats in the National Assembly. The ruling stated that the bloc is not eligible for reserved seats and asserted that leaving reserved seats vacant is not permissible, and thus these seats would be allocated to other political parties based on their proportional representation. However, the ECP Punjab member disagreed from the majority decision.[307] PTI leaders criticised the verdict and vowed to contest the ECP's ruling in court[308] while several lawyers and activists also criticized the ECP for its decision.[309] Speaking to the media from jail, Imran Khan also criticized the denial of reserved seats to the PTI as unconstitutional, drawing parallels to the disenfranchisement of East Pakistan following the 1970 Pakistani general election which ultimately resulted in the country's disintegration.[310] On 8 March, several members of the provincial and national assemblies who were allocated reserved seats, which were denied tp the PTI/SIC, took their oaths in respective assemblies. This occurred despite PHC injunctions and notices to the ECP instructing lawmakers not to take their oaths.[311] On 14 March, the Peshawar High Court dismissed the PTI/SIC petition challenging the ECP's decision to reject the party's allocation of reserved women and minority seats.[312] After which some PTI party leaders made controversial statements attributing PTI's loss of reserved seats in the parliament to its decision to enter into an alliance with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).[313]

After the allocation of reserved seats, excluding the PTI/SIC bloc, to other political parties, the PML-N emerged as the largest party in the National Assembly, gaining 16 seats to reach 123, while the PPP's count increased to 73 and the JUI-F's to 11. On 6 March, the ECP uploaded Forms 45, 46, 48, and 49 on its website about a month post the election, thereby violating the legal requirement for their release within 14 days after the polls.[314] In a press conference, the PTI leaders including Gohar Ali Khan described the Forms 45 released by the ECP on its website as "heavily tampered", resulting in the outcomes favoring PTI's opponent candidates. They also asserted possession of "original and signed Form-45s," alleging significant "fraud" in the compilation of election results.[315][316] The PTI declared their intention to approach the Supreme Court regarding the purported alteration of Form-45s and called for a comprehensive and independent audit of the election outcomes.[317]

On 10 March, the PTI/SIC officially nominated Omar Ayub Khan as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.[318]

Election of the Prime Minister

←2022 3 March 2024 Next→
Candidate Party Votes Obtained
Required majority → 169 out of 336
Shehbaz Sharif PMLN 201 check
Omar Ayub PTI 92 X mark
Abstentions N/A

On 2 March, Shehbaz Sharif of the PML-N and PTI-backed independent candidate Omar Ayub Khan submitted their nomination papers for the prime ministerial elections.[319] The next day on 3 March, Shehbaz was re-elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan for the second time, securing 201 votes against the 92 votes received by Omar Ayub Khan. Due to the absence of a clear majority for any single party in the assembly, Shehbaz was elected with the joint support from PML-N's allies such as the PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, BAP, PML-Z, IPP, NP among others.[320][24][321] He would soon afterwards be officially sworn in.[322] During the session, PTI-backed SIC MNAs chanted slogans alleging that Shehbaz came to power through rigging[323] with Omar Ayub terming the Shehbaz' PM election as 'illegal'. Omar Ayub Khan also condemned censorship in his speech after the state-run Pakistan Television Corporation was reported to have abruptly ceased live broadcasting as soon as he had started to speak, comparing it with live coverage of Shehbaz's statements.[324][325]

The cabinet of Shehbaz Sharif was formally sworn in by President Asif Ali Zardari on 11 March.[326]

Election of the President

The coalition agreement which was reached also called for Asif Ali Zardari to return as President of Pakistan.[322] On 3 March, the police conducted a raid on Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai who was also a presidential candidate in the 2024 Pakistani presidential election contesting against PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari. The PKMAP claimed that the raid was a reaction following a speech delivered by Achakzai in the National Assembly[327] where he criticized the "establishment" for their interference in the polls.[328][329] On 8 March, Achakzai, in a letter to the ECP requested the postponement of the presidential elections, citing concerns that holding elections without reserved seats in the assemblies would be unconstitutional. However, the ECP dismissed Achakzai's request.[330]

On 9 March, Zardari secured his second term as President of Pakistan with the backing of the PML-N and rest of the ruling coalition in a vote held by the national and provincial assemblies. Zardari received 411 votes, while Achakzai received 181 votes.[331] The PTI denounced the vote as "illegal," asserting that the election of the "king of corruption," referring to Zardari, was forced upon the nation.[332]

Formation of provincial governments

On 23 February 2024, the 18th Punjab Assembly convened approximately 313 newly elected MPAs were sworn in. This included 193 from the PML-N, 98 PTI-backed independents, 13 from the PPP, 10 from the PML-Q, five from the IPP, and one each from the TLP and the PML-Z.[333] On 26 February, Nawaz Sharif's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, was elected as the first female chief minister of Punjab with 220 votes in the assembly,[334] while her opponent PTI-backed candidate Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan boycotted the elections.[335] The next day, the PTI announced that it would convene a separate Punjab Assembly session to select its chief minister, speaker, and deputy speaker, asserting a majority with 250 MPAs, including those from reserved seats for women and minorities. They labeled the election of Maryam Nawaz to the chief ministership "a stolen mandate" and asserted that she was defeated on her provincial assembly seat from PP-159 Lahore-XV by a PTI-backed candidate, Mehr Sharafat.[336]

On 24 February, 147 MPAs of the 16th Sindh Assembly took their oath of office,[337] of which 84 MPAs from the PPP, 28 from the MQM-P, 14 independents, including those backed by the PTI, and two each from the GDA and JI.[338] On 26 February, PPP leader Syed Murad Ali Shah was re-elected as the Sindh Chief Minister for a third consecutive term, receiving 112 votes. His opponent, Ali Khursheedi of the MQM-P, garnered 36 votes.[339]

On 28 February, the 12th Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa convened as more than 115 newly elected MPAs were sworn in. Among those sworn in were 87 PTI-backed SIC lawmakers, nine from the JUI-F, eight from the PML-N, five from the PPP, two from the PTI-Parliamentarians, and four independents.[340] The next day, Ali Amin Gandapur, a PTI backed independent candidate was elected as the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, securing 90 votes. His opponent, Ibadullah Khan of the PML-N, received 16 votes.[341]

On 28 February, 57 newly elected MPAs of the 12th Baloch Assembly were sworn in where the PPP and the PML-N emerged as the two largest parties.[342] On March 2, Sarfraz Bugti was elected unopposed as the new Chief Minister of Balochistan with the joint support of the PPP and the PML-N.[343]

Reactions

Domestic

After polling closed, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said that the elections were a "momentous occasion". He praised the enthusiasm of the people of Pakistan and expressed appreciation for their participation in the polling process, adding that "the high voter turnout is a clear indication of public commitment to shaping the future of our country."[344]

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja thanked the nation for the successful election and expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, including government bodies, security agencies, media, and voters. He urged returning officers to ensure timely results delivery.[345] The Pakistan Armed Forces, through its media wing ISPR, extended congratulations to the nation for the peaceful conduct of the general elections, emphasizing their role in advancing democracy and fulfilling the aspirations of the people.[346] Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir urged citizens to move on from the politics of "anarchy and polarization", adding that a stable hand was needed to unite "Pakistan's diverse polity", and to make "democracy functional and purposeful".[347] During the first Corps Commanders' Conference held at the Pakistani military headquarters following the election and chaired by Asim Munir, the military rejected claims of election interference.[348]

President Arif Alvi, stated that the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) could have averted the uncertainty surrounding the election results and reminded of his efforts to introduce them in the country's electoral process.[349]

In a message from jail, Imran Khan claimed that the PTI won 170 seats, achieving a two-thirds majority in the 2024 elections.[350] He emphasized the power of the electorate and called for the protection of their votes.[350] According to Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, he described the rigging as the "Mother of all rigging" and ridiculed the PML-N, saying "Instead of honouring the vote, the 'selected ones' have honoured the boot," implying that the PML-N prioritized military influence over respecting the electoral process.[351]

The Pakistan Foreign Ministry in a statement expressed surprise at international criticism regarding the elections, citing the complexity of the electoral process and the strong participation of millions of voters.[352][353]

The day after the election, the Pakistan Stock Exchange shed 2,200 points on opening, or 3.6% of its value, as delayed results and prospects of a hung parliament loomed.[354]

Dawn in its editorial titled "Respect the mandate" stated it is becoming increasingly clear that there is widespread anger and resentment towards the military's continuous involvement in civilian affairs, and urged the armed forces to abandon its grudge against the PTI. It added that "though the public's decision was quite evident, some quarters still attempted to stamp their will over the election results." It also noted that "the state must realise that, sometimes, a vote for the underdog is a vote against the establishment".[355] Dawn referred to the largest number of independent candidates winning in a party-based election as a significant development in Pakistan's electoral history, describing it as a "seismic shift" and a clear message from the public that sidelining PTI and depriving them of their election symbol would not alter the election's trajectory.[356]

The Express Tribune in its editorial stated "the fact that the people of Pakistan have made a choice, and have voted for parliamentary democracy must come as a soothing consolation."[357] Hamid Mir stated that PML-N supporters claimed to have received more votes on the day after the election.[358]

Hina Jilani, co-founder of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, expressed her astonishment at the election outcome, stating that she, like everyone else, was taken aback, saying that "It's strange for me to say this, but I don't think the Pakistani public has ever played a strong role in enforcing democracy in this country." and that "we have not seen a public uprising against the military takeover of political space in this country."[359]

The day after the election concluded, several notable Pakistani journalists, which include Syed Talat Hussain, Meher Bukhari, and Hamid Mir, took to Twitter to openly criticize the ECP, labeling its performance as a 'farcical failure' due to its inability to efficiently deliver election results.[360]

International

Following the election, Pakistan's classification in the Democracy Index was revised downward by the Economist Intelligence Unit, shifting it from a hybrid regime to an authoritarian regime.[373]

On 27 February, Moody's retained Pakistan's ratings at 'Caa3' with a stable outlook. Nevertheless, the agency emphasized significantly high risks of liquidity and external vulnerability challenges, terming the election "controversial." The agency suggested that this situation could severely limit the decision-making capacity of the incoming coalition government.[374] Earlier in February 2023, Moody's downgraded Pakistan's rating from Caa1 to Caa3.[375]

On 28 February, at least 31 members of the United States Congress wrote a letter to US President Joe Biden, urging him to withhold recognition of the incoming coalition government until a "thorough, transparent, and credible" audit of the election is conducted. The letter also demanded that the United States cease military and other cooperation with Pakistan.[376][17] Among those critical of the results was Congressman Ro Khanna who also alleged that the Pakistani military was backing Nawaz Sharif.[377] In an interview, Congressman Greg Casar expressed concerns about American hypocrisy regarding Pakistani democracy, stating that he has directly contacted the State Department about it. He also warned Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States that existing laws could be utilized to reduce aid to Pakistan due to its human rights abuses.[378]

On 8 March, in an unusual political statement, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged Pakistani authorities to resolve all electoral disputes fairly and peacefully.[379]

On 20 March, a Congressional hearing titled "Pakistan After the Elections: Examining the Future of Democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan Relationship" took place, during which Donald Lu provided testimony before a subcommittee of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs.[380] Lu stated that the term "free and fair" was never used to describe the 2024 Pakistani elections and recommended that the ECP investigate allegations of election fraud. Additionally, he warned that if the ECP fails to address these allegations, it could negatively impact America's relationship with Pakistan.[381]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 60 seats are reserved for women and 10 for non-Muslims, which are allocated proportionally based on the number of seats held by each party in the National Assembly after the elections.
  2. ↑ Nawaz Sharif led the PML-N election campaign and would have become Prime Minister of Pakistan in the case that they won a majority of seats, with Shehbaz Sharif the candidate otherwise.
  3. ↑ Served as candidate for Prime Minister of Pakistan appointed by Imran Khan.[2]
  4. ↑ PTI members who contested in the general election ran as independent candidates aligned with the party because the Election Commission of Pakistan prohibited the PTI election symbol, which the Supreme Court of Pakistan affirmed.
  5. 1 2 Contested as Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians
  6. ↑ The Supreme Court of Pakistan officially recognised 39 of these seats as won by PTI ticket holders, with the rest recognised as independent of any party affiliation.
  7. ↑ Contested as independent candidates in all constituencies
  8. ↑ Ran as Independent candidates under panel name "Wafa Parast Group"
  9. ↑ Certain polls only include data for the JUI(F) instead of the MMA. In those cases, data for the JUI(F) is used because the JUI(F) is the largest constituent party of the MMA and makes up most of its base.
  10. ↑ This is a column that lists the percentage of undecided voters and non-voters in certain polls that publish this data. As some polls do not publish any data on undecided voters and non-voters, the columns with survey participants who had a preference when polled are all that is needed to reach 100%. In surveys that do include data on non-voters and undecided voters, a scaling factor is applied to the margin of error and the rest of the data (for example, if the number of undecideds and non-voters equals 20%, each party would have their vote share scaled up by a factor of 100/80 (the formula is 100/(100-UndecidedPercentage)). This is done to keep consistency between the different polls and the types of data they provide.
  11. ↑ This poll or crosstabulation did not include any data about undecided voters or non-voters and cut them out completely from the published results.

References

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