Imran Khan Setback: Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto join forces

Islamabad: Jailed ex-PM Imran Khan's supporters managed to come first in the election battle in Pakistan, but victory remains elusive to them. Those who came second and third have decided to join forces to keep Imran Khan supporters out of the power game.

Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif's PMLN and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's PPP have decided to work together to "bring political stability". Election results have shown that public sentiment in Pakistan is in favor of Imran Khan, but experts believe that the Pakistan army is pulling the strings to deny Imran Khan supporters a chance to form a government.

According to reports, independents won 101 of the National Assembly seats. According to credible sources, 93 of them went to PTI-backed candidates.

Nawaz Sharif's PMLN won 75, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's PPP won 54. The two parties had allied to oust Mr. Khan from power in 2022 and ruled until last August.

Imran Khan's PTI party was barred from taking part in the election, so most of its candidates stood as independents.

The PTI, along with several other political parties, has urged demonstrations in protest of the election results, claiming they were manipulated.

Previously, law enforcement employed tear gas to scatter a gathering of Mr. Khan's followers in Rawalpindi.

On Sunday, authorities barricaded roads surrounding the electoral commission building in Rawalpindi using barbed wire and substantial trucks, effectively obstructing protesters from reaching the site.