Although former Pakistan prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan have both claimed victory ahead of the results declaration, there seems to be no clear winner in sight as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is yet to announce the final polls result, reported news agency ANI. The unofficial provisional results reported by Geo News for 241 seats out of 266, however, suggest that the independent candidates backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) are leading with 97 seats.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which has reportedly emerged as the single largest party, is following behind with 72 seats, followed by Pakistan Peoples Party at 52 seats, ANI reported. The Muttahuda Qaumi Movement- Pakistan (MQM-P), Jamiat-e-Ulami-Faizal (JUI-F), and Balochistan National Party (BNP) are expected to win 15, 3, and 2 seats, respectively.
The founder of PTI Imran Khan released a 'victory speech' in his AI-enabled voice, in which he said that the 'London Plan' of PML-N Nawaz Sharif has failed because of massive voters' turnout on election day, ANI reported.
In his audio address, ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan stated that the significant turnout of Pakistani citizens in exercising their democratic right to vote has established the groundwork for restoring the freedom to exercise their rights as citizens.
"I congratulate you all on helping us win the elections handsomely. I had full faith in your turning out in such large numbers to cast your ballots. You lived up to my trust and the massive turnout on election day surprised many. The 'London Plan' because of your active participation in the democratic exercise has failed. Nawaz Sharif is a leader of low intelligence who gave a victory speech despite his party trailing in 30 seats," Imran said.
Three-time former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, on the contrary, claimed that his party has emerged as the 'single-largest party' and wants to lead Pakistan to prosperity and develop peaceful relations with neighboring nations, ANI reported.
This came amid an ongoing counting for the general elections held on Thursday which indicated that PML-N is trailing behind the independent candidates backed by PTI.
Nawaz Sharif vowed during a huge rally in Lahore that he would develop the country's infrastructure and work towards fighting against inflation and unemployment in Pakistan. He also said, " We have to do such work that no one should feel the pain while paying electricity, gas bills, school fees or buying petrol or diesel. There should be employment for people...we will distribute laptops for students, give free medicines in hospitals, and build schools and toilets," ANI reported.
Nawaz has also expressed his desire to form a united government with former allies Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam.