In a significant political development in Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto have reached a power-sharing agreement to form the next coalition government, as announced in a midnight meet. This coalition between Pakistan's two main parties, PML-N and PPP, aims to navigate the country through a period marked by high debt, low growth, raging inflation, and a lack of public mandate. The agreement effectively sidelines Imran Khan's PTI party, which, despite winning the most seats in the recent contentious election, finds itself out of power with Khan himself jailed. The election has been described as a turning point that challenged the military's longstanding influence over Pakistani politics, with allegations of mass electoral tampering and internet shutdowns drawing US condemnation, including from the United States. This political shift comes amid a backdrop of a hung parliament and public protests against election irregularities, signaling a potentially tumultuous path ahead for the new coalition gov't.
The U.S. should be the world leader in election integrity, so it’s concerning when we hear allegations of election rigging overseas. I look forward to a full accounting of these irregularities and answers for the people of Pakistan and the world. https://t.co/vdpPWibENP
The U.S. government "condemned internet shutdowns in Pakistan, including restrictions on social media platforms, and urged the Pakistani government to lift such restrictions." They were imposed "after protests following claims of election irregularities." https://t.co/FnPVqGxpSb
#ShehbazSharif set to be PM, Pakistan in for 'roller coaster' ride: What it means for India https://t.co/Vlm8LSk6ro
After imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan shocked observers at Pakistan’s election, the new coalition government now faces high debt, low growth, raging inflation and lacks a public mandate https://t.co/SXkgxtU44y https://t.co/fPSEdJre9o
After imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan shocked observers at Pakistan’s election, the new coalition government now faces high debt, low growth and raging inflation and lacks a public mandate https://t.co/SXkgxtU44y https://t.co/XhHUewwaRh
#PAKWatch🇵🇰: PAKISTAN = RIGGED ELECTIONS = MILITARY RUNS THE SHOW. https://t.co/MekOwWBZTN
The U.S. State Department condemns internet shutdowns in #Pakistan, including restrictions on social media platforms, and urged the Pakistani government to lift such restrictions.
US Condemns Internet Shutdowns In Pakistan, Urges To Lift Social Media Ban https://t.co/cYcgsMv2vz https://t.co/lijI0jwWcg
The latest election show the Pakistani military has lost its aura. The Pakistani people are no longer willing to sacrifice their democracy at the order of the generals. https://t.co/o01yG2tORp
National Assembly elections in Pakistan earlier this month returned a hung parliament and were marred by allegations of mass electoral tampering. https://t.co/4e5gBmRvwZ
NEW: US calls on Pakistan to lift X (Twitter) restrictions https://t.co/jChbsmrEoF
Pakistan in for 'roller coaster' ride after parties strike deal https://t.co/oHPDHzMjmu https://t.co/eH12YiBDRN
Imran Khan’s dynastic political rivals have announced a power-sharing agreement to form a coalition government, excluding the jailed former prime minister from returning to power ⬇️ https://t.co/jFzL8SDTFK
News Analysis: Pakistanis once thought of the military as the iron hand controlling the country’s politics. Here's how an election broke that illusion, creating one of the establishment’s biggest crises yet. https://t.co/Gbk89yI6lB https://t.co/DBFixoukqb
#TheNews | Shehbaz Sharif set to become PM as PML-N and PPP strike deal to form government in Pakistan https://t.co/l98iL9G0Ur
Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s 'Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf' party has staked a claim to form government but has neither the numbers nor the allies https://t.co/210DuNYeel https://t.co/zyn72QfTf1
News Analysis: Pakistanis once thought of the military as the iron hand controlling the country’s politics. That illusion has been broken, creating one of the establishment’s biggest crises yet. https://t.co/XFB35Cv7uK
An Election Shatters the Image of Pakistan’s Mightiest Force https://t.co/BknV4Go24L
#PAKWatch🇵🇰: The PML-N & PPP parties have struck a deal to form a coalition gov't. Where’s PAK’s most popular politician Imran Khan? He’s behind bars. PAKISTAN = MILITARY RUNS THE SHOW = HOLDS THE KEYS TO KHAN’S JAIL. https://t.co/WWHrEAxn8e
#Pakistan’s two main parties -- PML-N and PPP -- agree to form a government, breaking a deadlock and likely keeping jailed former premier #ImranKhan’s party out of power even though it won the most seats in the contentious election. https://t.co/sB44qU0XJs
💡 Pakistan: PML-N, PPP reach consensus to form next coalition government - @EmergingMWatch on https://t.co/orvmA6Wqwk Full Story → https://t.co/vpbUd1vpgA
At Midnight Meet, Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Seal Power-Sharing Deal In Pakistan https://t.co/fKRgeyEy5V https://t.co/8ZigU5KrdT