Pakistan election – live: Imran Khan’s PTI calls for protest amid concerns of fraud in inconclusive polls

The European Union, the US, and the UK have independently expressed serious concerns about Pakistan’s election yesterday and have called for a probe into irregularities reported in the process.

Ex-prime minister Imran Khan is in jail and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was barred from the polls.

Both former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s party and candidates backed by Mr Khan have claimed victory separately.

The EU claimed there was a “lack of a level playing field” in the election with some political parties facing an “inability” to contest.

There were also restrictions to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and internet access, the European Union said.

While the EU said it would work with the next government, it did not congratulate any particular candidate or party.

Pakistan Army’s Chief of Staff Gen Asim Munir congratulated the nation on the successful conduct of the 2024 parliamentary election.

“Free and unhindered participation by Pakistani people to exercise their right of vote demonstrated their commitment to democracy and the rule of law as enshrined in Constitution of Pakistan,” Mr Munir said.

“Leadership and personnel of law-enforcement agencies deserve our highest appreciation for creating a safe and secure environment for the electoral process, despite overwhelming odds,” he said, also congratulating the Election Commission of Pakistan, the caretaker government, political parties, and the winning candidates.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) candidate and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is reportedly planning a coalition government with former allies Pakistan Peoples Party to achieve political stability, Radio Pakistan reports.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Faryal Talpur met with PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore last night, according to the report.

This comes following Nawaz Sharif’s hinting in his premature victory speech at forming a “unity government.”

“It is everyone’s Pakistan. If we work together, only then will Pakistan overcome this crisis,” he said.

Pakistan’s army chief Gen Asim Munir said the country needs “stable hands” and a “healing touch” to move on from the politics of “anarchy and polarisation.”

“Political leadership and their workers should rise above self-interests and synergise efforts in governing and serving the people which is perhaps the only way to make democracy functional and purposeful,” Mr Munir said.

The Army chief wished for the elections to bring in political and economic stability, and bring peace and prosperity to Pakistan.

“As the people of Pakistan have reposed their combined trust in the Constitution of Pakistan, it is now incumbent upon all political parties to reciprocate the same with political maturity and unity,” he added.

Independent candidates, many backed by ex-prime minister Imran Khan, are still in the lead with wins in 99 seats as the polling results in 15 seats remain to be announced.

Meanwhile, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and the co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari reportedly met in Lahore on Friday.

Both sides exchanged views about the formation of a forthcoming government in the country, according to Radio Pakistan.

The Australian government said it was regrettable that the people of Pakistan were restricted in their choice in the election as “not all political parties were allowed to contest.”

“Australia supports a democratic, stable, and prosperous Pakistan which upholds its commitments to democratic principles including human rights, media freedoms, freedom of expression, and freedom of association,” the government said in a statement.

However, the country welcomed the voter turnout in the Pakistan general elections and the increase in the number of women registered to vote.

A wave of protests erupted in Pakistan’s Balochistan as the initial unofficial results, celebrated by some candidates as victories, were overturned the next day.

The previous “winning” candidates fell to second and third positions, as per official results declared in the province.

This led to nearly all major political parties – including the PPP and PML-N – staging sit-ins, Dawn reported.

Pakistan’s foreign office said it was “surprised by the negative tone” of some countries and organisations about the general elections.

“These statements ignore the undeniable fact that Pakistan has held general elections, peacefully and successfully, while dealing with serious security threats resulting primarily from foreign-sponsored terrorism,” the foreign office said in a statement.

“While we value constructive advice from our friends, making negative commentary even before the completion of electoral process is neither constructive nor objective,” it added.

An anti-terror court has granted Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi bail in multiple cases linked to the 9 May riots.

The Rawalpindi court said there was no reason to keep Mr Khan in custody as all accused in the cases have been granted bail.

Independent candidates linked to Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have come on top in the general elections despite several hurdles including the loss of their electoral symbol – a cricket bat – and the detention of the party’s key leaders.

However, no clear winner has emerged in the elections with both Mr Khan and the trailing candidate former prime minister Nawaz Sharif eyeing to form a coalition government.

The US Senate foreign relations committee condemned bombings at campaign offices in Pakistan amid the country’s parliamentary elections.

“I condemn in the strongest terms the deadly bombings at election campaign offices in Balochistan and send my condolences to the victims and their families. These attacks must be investigated and the perpetrators need to be held accountable,” Senator Ben Cardin, chair of the committee, said in a statement.

“While I appreciate those in Pakistan who cast a vote in the electoral process this week, these long overdue elections were sadly overshadowed by actions that prevented the meaningful participation of all political parties and candidates,” he said.