Live: Elections 2024

The Australian government has said it was “regrettable” that Pakistanis were “restricted in their choice” of voting during the elections.

In a statement shared by Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Neil Hawkins, the government noted that “not all political parties were allowed to contest these elections”.

It, however, welcomed the “increase in the number of women registered to vote and the fact that millions of Pakistanis chose to vote”.

“Australia supports a democratic, stable and prosperous Pakistan which upholds its commitments to democratic principles including human rights, media freedoms, freedom of expression, and freedom of association,” the statement said.

“PTI as a party and political group, despite significant efforts by the civilian and military establishment, has held on to its vote bank,” AFP quotes Bilal Gilani, the executive director of polling group Gallup Pakistan, as saying.

“It shows that the military does not always get their way — that is the silver lining,” he told AFP.

Digital rights activist Usama Khilji said the mobile service blackout “strengthens the popular perception that the elections are rigged by the deep state”.

The Lahore High Court has restrained the returning officer of the NA-128 constituency from notifying the election result based on Form 47.

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi passed the order on a petition filed by Advocate Salman Akram Raja, a PTI-backed independent candidate from the constituency, against Awn Chaudhry of the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party.

Raja personally appeared before the court along with his counsel. The counsel argued that Mr Raja was not allowed to witness the process of vote count and that his polling agent was not handed over Form 45 by the polling staff.

Raja was even expelled from the polling station by the returning officer with assistance from the police, the counsel said. This incident prompted the candidate to file a complaint with the CCPO of Lahore regarding the polling staff’s behaviour.

Read more here.

Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed has congratulated his party colleague Hafiz Naeemur Rehman for winning the PS-129 provincial seat from Karachi.

In a post on X, he said it was an “insult to the people of Karachi” that an attempt was made to “impose a rejected party by digging it out of the grave of history”, later specifying that party as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement—Pakistan.

Balochistan has witnessed a series of surprises and upsets in the recent national and provincial assembly elections, as reported by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) over the past 24 hours.

The initial unofficial results, celebrated by some candidates as victories, were overturned the following day, with the previously “winning” candidates falling to second and third positions as per new results.

The revised outcomes have prompted a wave of protests across the province, with nearly all major political parties — including the PPP, PML-N, JUI-F, BAP, BNP-Mengal, PkMAP, and PkNAP — staging sit-ins at district returning offices.

The Hazara Democratic Party faced significant losses, with key figures like Chairman Abdul Khaliq Hazara and former MPA Qadir Ali Nayal being ousted from the winners’ circle.

Read more here.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s provisional results, 15 seats are still pending as the country remains on edge over its political future.

The remaining seats are NA-40, NA-43, NA-62, NA-85, NA-88, NA-251, NA-252, NA-253, NA-254, NA-258, NA-259, NA-260, NA-261, NA-263 and NA-266.

The Army chief said, according to the ISPR, that Pakistan’s diverse polity and pluralism will be well-represented by a unified government of all democratic forces imbibed with national purpose.

He added: “Elections and democracy are means to serve people of Pakistan and not ends in themselves. The nation needs stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarisation which does not suit a progressive country of 250 million people.

“Elections are not a zero-sum competition of winning and losing but an exercise to determine the mandate of the people. Political leadership and their workers should rise above self-interests and synergise efforts in governing and serving the people which is perhaps the only way to make democracy functional and purposeful.”

He continued: “As the people of Pakistan have reposed their combined trust in the Constitution of Pakistan, it is now incumbent upon all political parties to reciprocate the same with political maturity and unity.

“As we move forward from this national milestone we must reflect on where the country stands today and where our rightful place should be in the comity of nations.”

The statement added that the Army chief wishes that these elections bring in political and economic stability and prove to be the harbinger of peace and prosperity for our beloved Pakistan.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir has congratulated the nation on the successful conduct of the 2024 general elections.

In a statement issued by ISPR, Gen Munir also congratulated the caretaker government, Election Commission of Pakistan, political parties and all winning candidates.

“Free and unhindered participation by Pakistani people to exercise their right of vote demonstrated their commitment to democracy and the rule of law as enshrined in Constitution of Pakistan,” the statement says.

“Leadership and personnel of law-enforcement agencies deserve our highest appreciation for creating a safe and secure environment for the electoral process, despite overwhelming odds.

“The constructive role played by national media, civil society, members of civil administration and judiciary enabled the successful conduct of the largest electoral exercise in national history.”

US Senator Ben Cardin, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has said he would “continue engaging on the issues that most directly impact the Pakistani people”, including “promoting democracy and human rights in the country”.

In a statement, he said the “elections were sadly overshadowed by actions that prevented the meaningful participation of all political parties and candidates”.

“I condemn in the strongest terms the deadly bombings at election campaign offices in Balochistan and send my condolences to the victims and their families. These attacks must be investigated and the perpetrators need to be held accountable,” Cardin added.

“I look forward to continuing to find opportunities where the United States and Pakistan can advance our shared goals of security, stability and prosperity across South Asia,” the US senator said.

The PPP and the PML-N have agreed to work together to achieve political and economic stability in the country, Radio Pakistan reports.

According to the report, former president Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Faryal Talpur met with ex-premier and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore last night.

“On this occasion, both sides exchanged views about [the] formation of forthcoming government in the country,” it added.

The US State Department has said it is “concerned about allegations of interference in the electoral process” in Pakistan.

According to a statement issued by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, the US joined “credible international and local election observers in their assessment that these elections included undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly”.

“We condemn electoral violence, restrictions on the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including attacks on media workers, and restrictions on access to the Internet and telecommunication services,” the statement added.

“Claims of interference or fraud should be fully investigated.”

It further said the US was “prepared to work with the next Pakistani government, regardless of political party, to advance our shared interests”.

PML-N candidate Muhammad Afzal has won the NA-125 seat from Chiniot with 65,102 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PTI-backed candidate Javed Umar with 51,144 votes.

PML-N candidate Attaullah Tarar has won the NA-127 seat from Lahore with 98,210 votes by beating PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PTI-backed candidate Malik Zaheer Abbas with 82,230 votes.

Former prime minister Imran Khan has claimed that PTI-backed candidates are winning on more than 170 seats according to Form 45 data, adding that a “two-third majority” has been secured.

He also lambasted Nawaz Sharif for making a victory speech despite being 30 seats behind.

“No Pakistani will accept this,” Imran said in an AI-generated speech. “International media is also writing about that stupidity.”

Imran said that according to independent sources, PTI-backed candidates were winning over 150 seats before rigging began taking place.

“You have created history,” he added.

Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan has said that the “London plan” foiled because of the people’s vote.

In an AI-generated speech on X, the former premier apprised his voters that he had faith in all of them.

“I had faith that you all will go out and vote,” Imran said. “Your massive turn out has shocked everyone.”

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari held a meeting in Lahore on Friday, according to sources within the PPP.

The meeting came shortly after Nawaz claimed victory in general elections held a day earlier, and invited his allies to form a coalition government.

The PPP and PML-N were both part of the PDM government that took over from PTI after Imran Khan’s ouster from the prime minister’s office in 2022.

PTI founder Imran Khan has congratulated the public and his party candidates for “winning” the 2024 general elections.

“You have set the foundation for your haqeeqi azaadi by voting yesterday,” the former premier said in an AI-generated speech posted on his official X account. “I congratulate you all for winning the 2024 elections.”

Former prime minister Imran Khan’s official account on X has posted an AI-generated victory speech of the incarcerated PTI founder emphasising that the nation’s “unprecedented fightback” has resulted in a landslide victory for his party in the 2024 general elections.

PTI-backed candidate Umar Farooq has won the NA-99 seat from Faisalabad with 120,686 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PML-N’s Qasim Farooq with 80,377 votes.

PTI-backed candidate Muhammad Saadullah has won the NA-97 seat from Faisalabad with 72,614 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PML-N’s Ali Gohar Khan with 70,311 votes.

PTI-backed candidate Ali Afzal Sahi has won the NA-95 seat from Faisalabad with 144,761 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is Azad Ali Tabassum with 93,938 votes.

PML-N candidate Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh has won the NA-94 seat from Chiniot with 79,456 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PTI-backed candidate Muhammad Khalid with 72,274 votes.

Independent candidate Rashid Akbar has won the NA-92 seat from Bhakkar with 142,761 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is independent candidate Muhammad Afzal Khan with 131,176 votes.

PTI-backed candidate Muhammad Iqbal Ali Khan has won the NA-86 seat from Sargodha with 105,868 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PML-N’s Syed Javed Hasnain with 94,779 votes.

PTI-backed candidate Shafqat Abbas has won the NA-84 seat from Sargodha with 101,944 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PML-N’s Liaquat Ali Khan with 77,477 votes.

PML-N candidate Anwaarul Haq Chaudhry has won the NA-75 seat from Narowal with 99,625 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PTI-backed candidate Tahir Ali Javaid with 75,626 votes.

PTI-backed candidate Muhammad Aslam Ghumman has won the NA-74 seat from Sialkot with 130,504 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PML-N’s Rana Shamim Ahmed Khan with 95,988 votes.

PML-N candidate Khawaja Asif has won the NA-71 seat from Sialkot with 118,566 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PTI-backed candidate Rehana Imtiaz Dar with 100,272 votes.

PML-N’s Chaudhry Subhani has won the NA-70 seat from Sialkot with 123,437 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PTI-backed candidate Hafiz Hamid Raza with 112,117 votes.

PTI-backed candidate Aneeq Mehdi has won the NA-67 from Hafizabad with 208,943 votes, according to provisional results released by the election commission.

The runner-up is PML-N candidate Saira Afzal with 183,020 votes.

PML-N’s Nasir Iqbal Bosal has won the NA-69 seat from Mandi Bahauddin with 113285 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is independent candidate Kausar Parween PTI-backed with 108,768 votes.

Human rights activist and election hopeful Jibran Nasir says an eight-member group of lawyers has been formed to provide legal representation to all candidates from Karachi who “assert proof of winning but have been adversely affected by rigging or manipulation”.

“We are united in our commitment to upholding the integrity of the vote and ensuring that the rights of Karachi’s voters are protected, and their mandates respected in accordance with the laws and constitution of Pakistan,” he writes on X.

PTI-backed Sardar Latif Khosa has won the NA-122 seat from Lahore with 117,109 votes, as per ECP’s provisional results.

PML-N leader Saad Rafique is the runner-up with 77,907 votes.

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif emerged victorious on the NA-130 seat from Lahore with 179,310 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

PTI-backed Yasmin Rashid is the runner-up with 104,485 votes.

PTI-backed candidate Haji Imtiaz Ahmed Chaudhry has won the NA-68 seat from Mandi Bahauddin with 166,093 votes, according to provisional results released by the election commission.

The runner-up is Mushahid Raza of the PML-N with 70,926 votes.

PML-Q candidate Hussain Elahi has clinched the NA-63 seat from Gujrat with 88,069 votes, according to provisional results released by the ECP.

The runner-up is PTI-backed candidate Sajid Yousaf with 81,640 votes.

Two young PTI workers were killed while 12 others suffered injuries in a clash with police in Shangla’s Alpuri district.

A large number of PTI workers took to the streets in the district to protest against alleged rigging.

The deceased and wounded were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital Alpuri, Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr Sajjad Khan told Dawn.com, adding that the injured sustained bullet wounds and were beaten with sticks and stones.

The two dead were identified as Muhammad Hassan, 16 and Mohsin Ali, 21. Hassan was the grandson of former provincial minister and newly elected MPA Abdul Munim from PK-29.