Nawaz Sharif Declares Victory in Pakistan Elections: Must Bring the Country Out of the 'Whirlwind'

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, announced on Friday, February 9, that his party, the Muslim League, has won the most seats in the country's general elections held on Thursday. Mr. Sharif stated that he must form a coalition government with other groups as his party has not secured a decisive majority to form a government alone. His remarks came after the results concerning more than three-quarters of the total 265 seats in the Pakistani parliament were announced. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that independents have won the most seats according to the results. Independents, who are largely supported by Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister currently imprisoned, have so far secured 92 seats out of the 225 counted. The Muslim League led by Nawaz Sharif has won 64 seats, and the Pakistan People's Party led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has secured 50 seats. According to the results announced so far, smaller parties and other independents have also won the remaining seats. Nawaz Sharif stated that his party has won the most seats and has the duty to bring Pakistan out of the current 'whirlwind', but if the task of forming a government is given to independents or other parties, he will respect that. This 74-year-old Pakistani politician, who has served three terms as Prime Minister and returned to his country last year after a four-year self-imposed exile, said he will engage in discussions with others, including Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's father, to form a government. One of Imran Khan's senior aides also stated that leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party will discuss with each other and will visit Mr. Khan in prison on Saturday to talk about the election results. The caretaker government of Pakistan cited the unusual delay in announcing election results due to the suspension of mobile services prior to the elections. According to Pakistan's electoral system, independents cannot form a government alone, and seats are allocated to parties based on their victories. However, independents can join any party after the elections. Imran Khan's party was barred from participating in the elections, which is why his supporters ran independently. Explosions near the offices of parliamentary candidates in Pakistan killed 26 people. Continued attacks by militants and the suspension of mobile phones in Pakistan have delayed the counting of parliamentary election votes. At least 10 people were killed in an attack by militants on security forces in Pakistan. Clashes in Balochistan, Pakistan, resulted in the deaths of 24 militants. Imran Khan was sentenced to 10 years in prison just before the general elections in Pakistan.