Striking conciliatory note, Pakistan’s Nawaz Sharif seeks coalition government, Khan’s PTI rejects offer

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (C) and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) party, along with his younger brother and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif (R) and his daughter Maryam Nawaz (L) speaks with supporters in Lahore on February 9, 2024, a day after Pakistan's national elections. (AFP)
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Updated 10 February 2024
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Striking conciliatory note, Pakistan’s Nawaz Sharif seeks coalition government, Khan’s PTI rejects offer

  • Independent candidates, most of whom are affiliated with ex-PM Imran Khan, are leading in Thursday’s elections
  • In speech in Lahore, Sharif admitted PML-N party did not have the seats to rule alone, would approach other parties

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of Imran Khan said on Friday it had “absolutely no interest” in an offer by prime ministerial hopeful Nawaz Sharif to form a coalition government after his party did not win enough seats to rule alone following general elections on Thursday.

Speaking to a charged crowd of a few thousand supporters from the balcony of his party office in the eastern city of Lahore, his political heartland, Sharif, a three-time former prime minister, struck a conciliatory note. Admitting that his party alone did not have the seats needed, he called on all parties, including independents, most of whom are backed by his archrival Khan, to come together and rule through a coalition set-up.

Thursday’s vote and Sharif’s announcement on Friday were the culmination of an especially contentious election season in which allegations of military meddling took center-stage, casting a shadow over a historic event that marked only the country’s third-ever democratic transition of power. The army, which has ruled for over three decades of Pakistan’s history since independence in 1947, strongly denies interfering in political affairs.

Ahead of the vote, Sharif was seen as a frontrunner in the election due to what was widely believed to be the backing of the army that had smoothed the way for his return to Pakistan after four years in self-imposed exile to lead his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in national polls. Both deny this. 

But as the results of the vote trickled in late into the evening on Friday, it was clear that the PML-N had only bagged 69 out of 241 seats counted so far from 265 total seats in the National Assembly, while independent candidates affiliated with Khan’s PTI had 96 wins. Behind them both was the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) with 52 seats, led by the rising star of national politics, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the son of assassinated former PM Benazir Bhutto. 




Pakistan's former President Asif Ali Zardari (3R) of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) casts his ballot to vote during the country's national elections at a polling station in NawabShah of Sindh province on February 8, 2024. (AFP)

“We don’t have that much majority to make government alone, so we ask the allied parties who have been successful in this election, we invite them that they participate with us and we make the government together,” Sharif said in his first address after the elections.

Appearing cordial, he said the PML-N respected the mandate of all parties.

“Whoever has got the mandate, we respect it with all our hearts, whether they are a party or an individual person, an independent candidate, and we invite them, that in order to take this wounded Pakistan out of difficulties, come and sit with us … It is important that all other parties sit down and together form one government.”

 

 

But a spokesperson for the PTI, Raoof Hassan, told Arab News, the party was “absolutely not interested” in Sharif’s offer of a coalition set-up:

“We are not going to form any alliance or coalition with them. They are not trustworthy people.”

“NO CLEAR WINNER”

With no party meeting the requirement of winning 133 seats, a simple majority, out of 265 National Assembly seats, the days ahead are likely to see political feuding and possible horse trading as the PML-N and the PPP — in their battle to hold sway over parliament where the most important decisions require a two-thirds majority — scramble to form alliances with independents and smaller parties. 

In his speech on Friday, Sharif said he had appointed his brother Shehbaz Sharif, also a former prime minister, to meet with leaders from other parties, including the PPP, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F, to discuss a coalition government. He did not name the PTI.

Though the temptation to jump Khan’s ship and join another party forming the government will be high and could make the independents a political wild card in the coming days, PTI-backed candidates have repeatedly said they will not join the mainstream parties but return into the fold of Khan’s party once it wins back its bat symbol, of which it was stripped ahead of the elections.

The party had lost its symbol because the election commission said it did not hold intra-party elections, a legal requirement to run in polls as a party, forcing all its candidates to run as independents, each with a distinct symbol. 




Supporters of Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif' party 'Pakistan Muslim League-N' celebrate their party victory in the initial results of the country's parliamentary election, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. (AFP)

PTI’s Hassan told reporters on Friday new intra-party elections would be held within a fortnight. 

“We don’t expect this hop-chop sort of government to last very long,” PTI senior leader Zulfi Bukhari and close Khan aide told Arab News, speaking about a possible future coalition government led by the PML-N. 

“Whatever [government] they’re going to form, there will be disputes and fights among each other … So, it’s going to hold zero credibility with zero public support and meaning they won’t be able to take any meaningful decisions for the betterment of the country.”




Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party's chairman and barrister Gohar Ali Khan (L) waves to supporters after casting his ballot to vote during Pakistan's national elections, in Buner on February 8, 2024. (AFP)

“KEY CHALLENGES”

Meanwhile, a delay in the full release of official election results even 24 hours after polling closed has led to widespread concerns about rigging and raised questions about the credibility of the vote. The government has ascribed the delay to the suspension of mobile phone services, imposed as a security measure ahead of Thursday’s election, but opponents, especially the PTI, say it was done to manipulate counting. 

In the run-up to the polls, Khan’s PTI had complained of a widening crackdown against the party, including not being allowed to campaign freely. Khan himself was missing from Thursday’s vote as he has been in jail since August last year and is also disqualified from running for public office for ten years. 

The former premier, already jailed in one corruption case, was convicted in three back-to-back cases a week before the election and faces dozens of other legal challenges, including one case in which he is accused of ordering violent attacks on military installations on May 9, 2023, which could entail the death sentence. Khan says all the cases were politically motivated to sideline him and his party from elections.

Analysts have widely questioned the legitimacy of an election that Khan, arguably the country’s most popular politician, was not allowed to contest. And after the polls, they fear the absence of a clear winner could mean more uncertainty for a country where political temperatures have been excruciatingly high since Khan was ousted in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in April 2022. 

The country has also been grappling for months with a seemingly intractable economic crisis that has left millions disillusioned. 

The Pakistani economy is currently beset by record high inflation, falling foreign exchange reserves, a depreciating currency, low consumer confidence and slow growth caused by tough reforms carried out to meet the conditions of a last-gasp $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved last year. 

One of the key challenges for any new government will be negotiating a new bailout program with the IMF after the ongoing deal expires in three weeks. Another will be tackling rising militancy. 

The election season itself was particularly bloody, with several attacks on rallies, election offices and candidates in the last few weeks while 16 people were killed in violence on polling day itself.

But political analysts Tahir Naeem Malik urged calm and reconciliation between all political stakeholders.

“Election results necessitate political stakeholders to sit together and negotiate regarding the next set up,” he told Arab News. “It will be hard for the weak coalition government to initiate major economic reforms and fight the upsurge of militancy.”

But PML-N supporters outside Sharif’s Lahore office said they hoped he would be the “answer” to Pakistan’s problems, especially on the economic front. 

“I came here to see Nawaz Sharif with great happiness and excitement. God willing, Nawaz Sharif will come in government and he will give laptops to young people and make their future bright,” Mohibullah, who had traveled from the mountainous Gilgit region hundreds of miles away for a glimpse of his leader, told Arab News, as loud speakers blared PML-N anthems in the background and fireworks went off.

“All the young people who are leaving the country, god willing after Nawaz Sharif forms government, they won’t leave and will make a bright future here.”

Supporter Samra Nazeer, who volunteers as a coordinator for the party’s activities in Lahore, said she had personally observed in this election that “people love Nawaz Sharif.”

“Just like his last three tenures [as PM] when Pakistan was prospering,” she said, “for a fourth time also people have high hopes.”

Additional reporting by Aamir Saeed in Islamabad


Pakistan seal final spot in Under-19 cricket tri-series with dominant win over UAE

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Pakistan seal final spot in Under-19 cricket tri-series with dominant win over UAE

  • Pakistan posted their highest total of the tournament, amassing 314 for five in 50 overs
  • UAE’s innings ended at 123 in 37 overs, setting the stage for Pakistan-Afghanistan clash

ISLAMABAD: Half-centuries by Farhan Yousuf, Haroon Arshad, Shahzaib Khan and Usman Khan powered Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team to a commanding 191-run victory over the United Arab Emirates in the fifth match of the U19 tri-series at the ICC Cricket Academy Ground in Dubai on Friday.
The victory secured Pakistan’s place in the final, where they will face Afghanistan U19 on Tuesday, November 26, at the same venue.
This was Pakistan’s second win over UAE in the tournament, having defeated them by 10 wickets in the opening match.
“Pakistan U19 earn an emphatic 191-run win over UAE U19,” the Pakistan Cricket Board announced in a social media post. “They will play the tri-series final on Tuesday.”
The Pakistan team edged Afghanistan by 13 runs in their previous encounter but suffered a loss to them earlier in the series.
After electing to bat, Pakistan posted their highest total of the tournament, amassing 314 for five in 50 overs.
Left-handed openers Shahzaib Khan (71 off 84) and Usman Khan (50 off 64) provided a solid foundation with a 96-run opening stand. Farhan Yousuf (63 off 50) and Haroon Arshad (54 off 34) then built on the momentum with a brisk 75-run partnership for the fourth wicket, while Faham-ul-Haq contributed a steady 37 off 48. For UAE, Noorullah Ayubi and Uddish Suri picked up two wickets each.
Chasing 315, UAE struggled from the outset, collapsing to 52 for five within 16 overs.
Ayaan Misbah (17 off 46) and Uddish Suri (32 not out) attempted to stabilize the innings with a 21-run stand for the sixth wicket, but Misbah fell to Umar Zaib in the 26th over.
UAE’s innings ended at 123 in 37 overs, with Umar Zaib taking four for 51 and Naveed Ahmed Khan claiming three wickets.
The final group match of the series will be played between Afghanistan and UAE on Sunday, November 24.
 


Pakistan PM vows to ‘break any hand’ threatening relations with Saudi Arabia

Updated 22 November 2024
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Pakistan PM vows to ‘break any hand’ threatening relations with Saudi Arabia

  • Statement comes after Imran Khan’s wife released a video message widely viewed as critical of the Kingdom
  • Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close allies, with nearly 3 million Pakistanis living and working in the Kingdon

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday vowed strict action against anyone attempting to undermine Pakistan’s close relations with Saudi Arabia, declaring that his government would “break any hand” threatening ties between the two nations.
Sharif’s statement appeared to reference recent remarks by Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who in a rare public message on Thursday assured state institutions that her jailed husband would not seek revenge against political opponents if he returned to power.
She also made remarks in her video message that were widely viewed as implying that the Saudi government had opposed Khan when he was prime minister from 2018-22.
“Such venom-spitting is an unforgivable crime,” Sharif said while addressing a ceremony on Friday. “I, as the prime minister of Pakistan, want to announce that the nation will break any hand trying to undermine the Pakistan-Saudi friendship.”
“This is not a joke,” he continued. “The allegation is beyond understanding. The biggest national interest is being slaughtered to serve the short-term political interest.”
He criticized the former first lady, whose husband’s PTI party is currently in opposition, saying that the Kingdom had never demanded anything in return from Pakistan for extending economic and diplomatic support but instead always “opened its doors.”
“I think there can be no greater enmity against Pakistan than this [issuing such comments],” he said, adding that Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was sacrificing the country’s interest for its political interests.
Sharif said “no one will be allowed to play” with Pakistan’s interests when it concerned “brotherly allies” such as Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also addressed the issue in a press conference, highlighting that over 2.8 million Pakistanis were working in the Kingdom, sending billions of dollars in remittances back to their country every year.
“Our cordial and friendly relationship with Saudi Arabia should not be affected due to someone’s political gains,” he said. “Such a controversial statement is an effort to save PTI’s sinking ship.”
Khan was ousted from the prime minister’s office in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022, alleging that he was removed by his political rivals and the all-powerful military at the behest of the United States. All three parties deny the accusation.
The cricketer-turned-politician has been in prison since August last year, facing a slew of legal challenges. He denies any wrongdoing, claiming that all cases against him are politically motivated to keep him in jail.
His PTI party is set to kick off a “long march” to stage a protest in Islamabad on Nov. 24, aiming to pressure the government into releasing Khan from prison. Authorities have refused to grant permission to hold the gathering and imposed a ban on public assembly in the capital for two months.


Pakistani stocks break psychological 99,000 barrier on optimism over rates, reserves

Updated 22 November 2024
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Pakistani stocks break psychological 99,000 barrier on optimism over rates, reserves

  • An analyst attributes the intraday rally to broad-based gains across most economic sectors
  • The stock market has remained bullish since the government slashed policy rate in November

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday breached a major psychological barrier, surging past 99,000 points during intra-day trading before settling at 97,798.23, as analysts attributed the rally to investor optimism driven by falling lending rates and higher foreign exchange reserves.
The benchmark KSE-100 index climbed 2,057.40 points by 11:10 am, reaching 99,385.79 points from the previous close. However, the index closed at 97,798.23, marking an increase of 469.84 points or 0.48 percent.
Analyst Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation said bank levies on large deposits, surging global oil prices, and rupee stability were fueling investor optimism.
“Stocks remained bullish, led by scrips across the board, as investors weighed falling lending rates and the imposition of bank levies on large deposits following a drop in government bond yields,” he told Arab News. “Surging global crude oil prices, rupee stability, and higher forex reserves played a catalytic role in the record surge at the PSX.”
Last month, Pakistan’s external current account recorded a surplus of $349 million, marking the third consecutive month of surplus and the highest in this period. The current account reflects a nation’s transactions with the world, encompassing net trade in goods and services, net earnings on cross-border investments and net transfer payments.
A surplus indicates that a country is exporting more than it is importing, thereby strengthening its foreign exchange reserves.
A bullish trend has been observed in the stock market since Pakistan’s central bank cut its key policy rate by 250 basis points, bringing it to 15 percent earlier this month. Economic indicators have also steadily improved since securing a 37-month, $7 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September.
In the past, the country faced a prolonged economic crisis that drained its foreign exchange reserves and saw its currency weaken amid double-digit inflation. Last year, Pakistan narrowly avoided a sovereign default by clinching a last-minute $3 billion IMF bailout deal.


US vows to be ‘steadfast partner’ after deadly attack in Pakistan’s Kurram district

Updated 22 November 2024
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US vows to be ‘steadfast partner’ after deadly attack in Pakistan’s Kurram district

  • American diplomatic mission says Pakistanis deserve to live free from harm, danger and threat
  • It offers condolences to victims’ families after 41 people were killed by unknown gunmen this week

KARACHI: The United States on Friday condemned a deadly attack in Pakistan’s Kurram district that killed 41 people this week, reaffirming its commitment to stand with Pakistan in ensuring the safety of its citizens against such militant attacks.
Unidentified gunmen targeted vehicles carrying Shiite community members in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday, in one of the deadliest sectarian attacks in recent years. The assault, which also left many critically injured, occurred in a region already plagued by deadly clashes in recent months.
“The United States will remain a steadfast partner as Pakistan works to ensure the safety and security of all its citizens,” Jonathan Lalley, the spokesperson of the US diplomatic mission in Pakistan, said in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with Pakistan and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in this difficult time.”
Lalley expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called for a full recovery for the injured.
“The Pakistani people deserve to live free from harm, danger, and threat, and to feel protected and secure in their daily lives,” he added.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which followed the reopening of a key highway in the region after it was closed for weeks due to sectarian violence.
Kurram, a volatile district near the Afghan border, has been a flashpoint for sectarian clashes between Sunni and Shiite communities, adding to the challenges of maintaining security in the area.
The US-Pakistan forged a counterterrorism partnership in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks, to address regional security challenges. Over the years, however, the relationship faced friction, while the US-led international forces were in Afghanistan.
Despite the tensions, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts, especially in the wake of the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
The commitment to security partnership reflects a shared goal of combating extremism and ensuring regional stability.
 


Pakistan, Malaysia agree to enhance military cooperation with focus on air force training

Updated 22 November 2024
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Pakistan, Malaysia agree to enhance military cooperation with focus on air force training

  • Malaysian air chief praises PAF’s advancements in indigenization on his first Pakistan visit
  • His Pakistani counterpart reaffirms commitment to training Malaysian Air Force personnel

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to deepen bilateral military cooperation, with a particular emphasis on joint training and air power collaboration, Pakistan’s military said on Friday.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Royal Malaysian Air Force Chief General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Mohd Asghar Khan bin Goriman Khan at Air Headquarters in Islamabad.
“The [Pakistan] Air Chief reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing military partnership between the two Air Forces through joint training initiatives, particularly within the realm of air power,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. “These initiatives will encompass provisioning of both basic and tactical level training for personnel of the Malaysian Air Force.”
The Malaysian air chief, making his first visit to Pakistan, praised the PAF’s advancements in indigenization and technological innovation. He also expressed interest in bolstering ties through enhanced collaboration in training, maintenance and operational excellence.
The meeting included discussions on defense cooperation, joint exercises and technology sharing, ISPR said, highlighting the robust defense relationship between the two nations.
During his visit, the Malaysian official toured the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park Silicon and the PAF Cyber Command, where he was briefed on Pakistan’s advanced operational capabilities.
He also lauded the innovative projects displayed at the ongoing International Defense Exhibition IDEAS-2024 in Karachi.
Earlier, the Malaysian air chief was presented with a guard of honor upon his arrival, ISPR added.