Baghdad-INA
Two of the three largest parties in Pakistan confirmed that they had reached an agreement to form a government coalition that would exclude supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, even though they topped the results of the legislative elections.
The Pakistan Muslim League, led by Nawaz Sharif, and the Pakistan People’s Party, led by Bilawal Zardari, announced in a press conference that they would form the next government with small parties.
Although the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, led by Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned, was subjected to severe repression, the performance of the independent candidates it supported exceeded expectations.
“The parties here represent nearly two-thirds of the elected assembly,” said Shehbaz Sharif, president of the Pakistan Muslim League, along with officials of the Pakistan Peoples Party, two other parties and representatives of two other groups.
After the press conference, an aide to Sharif said that the latter would lead the country.
“The Muslim League’s candidate for prime minister is Shehbaz Sharif,” party spokeswoman Maryam Aurangzeb said in a statement to Geo News.
Sharif expressed his party’s readiness to engage in talks with Khan to include the PTI in the next government.
He added, “We forget and forgive — and we forgive and forget — come and join hands to improve the country,” calling for “sacrificing self-interests and putting pride aside.”
2024-02-14 08:14:43