ISLAMABAD: On Saturday, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reached out to 12 MNAs-elect who had defected from the party.
Party sources indicated that these dissatisfied lawmakers are expected to meet with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif after receiving certain assurances.
Insiders familiar with the situation stated that if these 12 lawmakers return to the PML-N fold, it would significantly bolster the party’s standing.
Additionally, in efforts to solidify alliances and secure necessary numbers post-general elections, PML-N also engaged with the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Moulana Fazlur Rehman.
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif had a phone conversation with JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, during which they discussed matters related to the recent polls.
Both Sharif and Rehman agreed to maintain communication and collaboration moving forward.
Meanwhile, the provisional results from Pakistan’s top electoral authority reveal a significant number of independent candidates securing national and provincial assembly seats. Contrary to public perception, not all independents are affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), founded by Imran Khan.
The perception of widespread PTI backing for independent candidates arose when the party decided to field such candidates after the Supreme Court stripped PTI of its iconic bat symbol.
Before the elections, PTI released lists of independent candidates it supported, adjusting the lists as decisions evolved in the lead-up to the polls.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) list, around 100 independent victories have been elected to National Assembly seats. A comparison between the Election Commission of Pakistan results and PTI’s lists indicates that 92 out of the total independent winners are backed by PTI, leaving eight candidates unaffiliated with Khan’s party.
Notable among the genuinely independent candidates are Raja Khurram Shehzad and Aqeel Malik from NA-48 and NA-54, respectively, in the twin cities.
Reports suggest that Shehzad has connections to Jahangir Tareen’s Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party, while Malik, who defeated Chaudhry Nisar and Ghulam Sarwar combined in NA-48, was reportedly denied a PML-N ticket. In both constituencies, the IPP and PML-N did not field candidates, providing favorable odds for Shehzad and Malik.
