Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party has decided to sit in the opposition in Parliament after efforts to form its next government failed.
After no party got absolute majority in the elections held on February 8 in Pakistan, major political parties have intensified efforts to form a federal government.
Independent candidates supported by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party dominated the election results but this lead was not enough to form the government.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) claimed to have sufficient numbers to form the government as some independent candidates joined the Nawaz Sharif-led party after the elections.
Now PTI leader Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif announced on Friday that following the instructions of PTI founder Khan, the party has decided to sit in opposition at the Center as well as in a key province like Punjab.
Speaking to the media on Friday night after a meeting with the Qaumi Watan Party in Islamabad, Saif said, “We decided to sit in the opposition despite the fact that if we had got seats as per our votes and the results had not changed, today perhaps we would have won 180 seats.” Would have been in power at the center with. We have evidence that our candidates have won.”
Imran Khan’s party also released a white paper on Friday against the alleged rigging and has decided to start its protest from Saturday.