Nawaz Sharif's Party poaches PTI-backed independents, PTI firm on no alliance

Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is strategically manoeuvring to secure a coalition government in Pakistan, following the split verdict in the February 8 election. The political landscape is marked by alliances, defections, and accusations of election rigging, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.

The PML-N's recent gains include winning over an independent candidate, Wasim Qadir, previously backed by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Qadir's decision to join PML-N came after a meeting with Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of Nawaz Sharif. This move is part of a broader strategy, with sources within PML-N hinting at ongoing efforts to attract more PTI-backed winners in the coming days.

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party has also floated the idea of a "participatory coalition government" to resolve the deadlock resulting from the election. The proposal suggests that forming a federal government backed by PML-N is essential, given that no single political party secured a majority in the National Assembly, according to Azam Nazeer Tarar, former law minister.

As per constitutional obligations, President Arif Alvi is required to call for a new session of the National Assembly by February 29. The senior National Assembly Secretariat has reportedly made all necessary arrangements to commence the new assembly's first session.

However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has firmly rejected the idea of power-sharing talks with PML-N and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). Khan mentioned the possibility of merging with another political party due to the lack of reserved seats but ruled out collaboration with PML-N or PPP, asserting that PTI believes it has the majority.

Meanwhile, PML-N has initiated talks with the PPP and the Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to explore the formation of a federal government. The discussions involve allocating the prime ministerial post to PML-N, with the positions of president and speaker reserved for its potential allies in the alliance.

PTI Senior Vice President Latif Khosa claims that around 50 independent candidates backed by PTI are winning by large margins, as per Form 45s. Khosa expressed confidence that reclaiming these seats, along with reserved seats for women and minorities, could give PTI the majority needed to independently form the government.

In a significant development, PML-N and PPP have confirmed their "first official contact" for forming a coalition government. PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif reportedly met with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari at Lahore's Bilawal House. While the PPP statement mentioned discussing the proposal, the PML-N press release stated an agreement "in principle to save the country from political instability."

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, addressing concerns about candidates switching loyalties, emphasized that those who had done so in the past had been rejected by the people in the recent polls. He asserted that independent candidates were in touch with PTI and would remain with the party.

The aftermath of the election has also seen a flood of petitions filed by losing candidates challenging the provisional results for their constituencies. Most of these petitions are reportedly from PTI-backed independents, including high-profile politicians such as former Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi and his wife Qaisera, as well as former KP finance minister Taimoor Jhagra and ex-KP speaker Mahmood Jan.

Amidst the political turmoil, PTI supporters in Lahore were detained by the police while protesting against alleged rigging in the elections. PTI had called for a nationwide protest to safeguard the integrity of the vote.

The PTI further claimed attempts to impose a second version of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM-2) and demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner and other members of the election commission. The party alleged rigging and insisted on its right to form a government, citing its widespread representation and decisive public mandate.