Live: Elections 2024

PML-N’s Anjum Aqeel Khan won the NA-46 seat with 81,958 votes while independent candidate Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz won the NA-48 seat with 69,699 votes in Islamabad, according to the preliminary results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Independent candidates backed by PTI Aamir Masood Mughal and Muhammad Ali Bokhari were runner-ups in NA-46 and NA-48 respectively.

PTI-backed independent candidates Saleem Rehman and Suhail Sultan have won NA-3 and NA-4 in Swat respectively, according to the preliminary results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Rehman won with 81,411 votes while Sultan won with 88,009 votes.

MQM-P’s Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui has won the NA-232 seat with 88,260 votes, according to the preliminary results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Adeel Ahmed, an independent candidate, came second with 66,574 votes.

PTI-backed independent candidate Anwar Taj has won the NA-24 seat from Charsadda with 89,801 votes, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

Meanwhile, Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah, another PTI-backed independent contestant defeated PTI-Parliamentarians’ Pervez Khattak to win from Nowshera’s NA-33.

According to the ECP’s provisional results, Shah bagged 93,429 votes while the former KP chief won 26,574 votes.

PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz has won the NA-119 seat in Lahore with 83,855 votes, according to provisional results announced by the ECP. This is the first NA seat she has won.

Shehzad Farooq, backed by PTI, came second with 68,376 votes.

PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has won the NA-196 seat in Qamber Shahdadtkot-I with 85,370 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The Islamabad police have registered a case against 30 people for preparing a public meeting of PTI in Bhara Kahu.

According to the FIR, a police team got information that 25 to 30 persons, 10 to 15 of them armed with weapons, were present at Dhoke Jillani Ground and preparing for a public meeting of the PTI.

The police reached the ground and found 14 identified and 22 unidentified persons chanting slogans in favour of PTI’s Shoaib Shaheen.

Read more here.

Former president and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari has won the NA-207 seat from Shaheed Benazirabad with 146,989 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Sardar Sher Muhammad Rind Baloch, a PTI-backed independent candidate, was the runner-up with 51,916 votes.

PPP’s Syed Rafiullah has won NA-230 in Malir, Karachi with 32,099 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Masroor Ali, an independent candidate backed by PTI, was the runner-up with 23,370 votes.

PML-N leader and former finance minister stressed that some media channels are “misleading” and “misguiding” the public.

Speaking to Geo News, he underscored that the PML-N was currently “the single largest political party”.

He said that he was “not counting” the independents as a political party as they had 72 hours to pick a political party.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the provisional results of 63 National Assembly seats or 24 per cent of the total.

The results of 202 seats are still awaited; elections were postponed in the NA-8 constituency due to the deaths of contesting candidates.

PPP’s Irfan Ali Leghari has won from NA-227 in Dadu-I with 104,013 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Liaquat Ali Jatoi of the Grand Democratic Alliance was the runner-up with 93,956 votes.

PPP’s Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur has won the NA-222 seat from Badin-I with 113,916 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Grand Democratic Alliance candidate Mir Hussain Bux Talpur came second with 67,010 votes.

PPP’s Jam Abdul Karim Bijar has won Malir’s NA-229 in Karachi with 55,732 votes, according to provisional results released by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Qadir Bux from the PML-N came second with 21,841 votes.

PTI-backed independent candidate Amjad Ali Khan has won the NA-2 seat in Swat-I with 88,938 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PML-N’s Amir Muqam was the runner-up with 37,764 votes.

Former prime minister and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif has won the PP-158 seat in Lahore with 38,642 votes, according to provisional results from the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PPP’s Zulfiqar Bachani has won the NA-217 seat from Tando Allah Yar with 119,530 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Grand Democratic Alliance’s Rahila Magsi came second with 73,778 votes.

PPP’s Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has won the NA-201 seat in Sukkur-II with 120,219 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PTI leader Asad Qaiser has won the NA-19 from Swabi with 115,635 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

JUI-F’s Fazal Ali came second with 45,567 votes.

PPP’s Khalid Ahmed Khan Lund has won from Ghotki’s NA-198 with 120,259 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Abdul Haque Alias Mian Mitha, an independent candidate, came second with 90,629 votes.

PML-N’s Syed Sajid Mehdi has won from NA-157 in Vehari-II with 99,332 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Sabeen Safdar, a PTI-backed candidate, was the runner-up with 79,996 votes.

Independent candidate Muhammad Raza Hayat Hiraj has won NA-144 in Khanewal-I with 118,999 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Syed Abid Hussain Imam, another independent candidate, was the runner-up with 78,296 votes.

PML-N’s Syed Imran Ahmed Shah has won the NA-141 seat in Sahiwal-I with 118,240 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PTI-backed candidate Rana Amir Shahzad Tahir came in second with 107,056 votes.

Nadeem Abbas from PML-N has won the NA-135 seat in Okara with 129,218 votes, according to provisional results announced by the ECP.

PTI-backed candidate Malik Muhammad Akram Bhatti came second with 106,700 votes.

PTI leader Gohar Ali Khan has won NA-10 in Buner with 110,023 votes, according to the preliminary results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

ANP’s Abdul Rauf came second with 30,302 votes.

PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz has won NA-118 in Lahore-II with 105,960 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Aliya Hamza Malik, a PTI-backed independent candidate, came a close second with 100,803 votes.

Ahmad Atteeq Anwar from PML-N has won NA-113 from Sheikhupura-I with 119,407 votes, according to provisional results announced by the ECP.

PTI-backed candidate Amanullah Bhatti came second with 90,877 votes.

PML-N’s Sheikh Aftab Ahmad has won the NA-49 seat from the Attock-I seat with 119,727 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PPP’s Nafisa Shah has won the NA-202 seat from Khairpur-I with 146,083 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Syed Ghaus Ali Shah from the Grand Democratic Alliance came in second with 28,613 votes.

PML-N’s Muhammad Khan Daha has won the NA-145 seat in Khanewal-II with 102,911 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PML-N’s Rana Mubashir Iqbal has won the NA-124 seat in Lahore (VIII) with 55,387 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PML-Q’s Chaudhry Salik Hussain has won in NA-64 (Gujrat III) with 105,205 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PTI-backed independent candidate Qaisara Elahi, the wife of Pervaiz Elahi, came second with 80,946 votes.

PTI-backed candidate Muhammad Atif has won NA-22 in Mardan II with 114,748 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PML-Q candidate Chaudhry Salik Hussain has won in PP-32 (Gujrat-VI) with 55,615 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s benchmark KSE-100 index crashed by more than 2,300 points before recovering as the release of elections results continues to be delayed.

Trade volume reached a low of 61,781.76 — 2,356 points lower than the previous day’s close — before recovering to 62,562.80 by 9:47am.

See the full story here.

PML-Q candidate Chaudhry Shafay Hussain has won in PP-31 (Gujrat-V) with 64,132 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Independent candidate Mudassir Raza was the runner-up with 48,311 votes.

PML-N candidate Sultan Haider Ali Khan has won in PP-20 (Chakwal-I) with 52,450 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Independent candidate Ali Nasir Khan is the runner-up with 43,250 votes.

The interior ministry has said that the media and the public’s concerns about the late processing of the election results have been reviewed.

It attributed the delay to a “lack of communication, which was a result of preventive measures taken to ensure foolproof security”.

In a post on X, it said that the delay was assessed, stating that the situation was now “satisfactory”. It expressed hope that the arrival of results would continue without interruptions.

PPP candidate Sadiq Ali Memon has won from NA-225 Thatta with 140,773 votes, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that the party will form the government in the Centre and Punjab.

In a post on X, she said that the results were still being received by the party’s election cell. “Due to the unavailability of mobile and internet services, it became difficult to get the results,” she said, adding that the party’s position was “strong”.

PTI-backed candidate Fazal Muhammad Khan has won NA-25 Charsadda II, securing a total of 100,713 votes.

According to the provisional results released by the ECP, Awami National Party’s Aimal Wali Khan came in second, with a total of 67,876 votes.

PPP candidate Nazeer Ahmed Bughio has won NA-195 (Larkana), after garnering a total of 133,830 votes.

According to the provisional results released by the ECP, Grand Democratic Alliance’s Safdar Ali Abbasi came in second with 48,893.

PTI-backed candidate Waseem Qadir clinched victory in NA-121 Lahore V by 78,703 votes, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

PTI-backed independent candidates Muhammad Abdul Salam and Sultan Room have won their seats from PK-58 Mardan and PK-9 Swat, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

PML-N candidate Faisal Khan has clinched victory with 42,269 votes in PK-52 Swabi IV, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

PTI-backed independent candidate Iftikharullah Jan has emerged victorious with 39,538 votes in PK-64 Charsadda III, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

PTI-backed candidate Basharat Raja for Rawalpindi’s NA-55 constituency has alleged a discrepancy in between Form 45 and Form 47 results.

He said he had won the seat with a lead of 50,000 seats and his opponent “did not win from any polling station in the entire constituency”.

PPP candidate Makhdoom Jameeluz Zaman has won from NA-216 Matiari with 124,536 votes, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

PML-N candidate Sardar Ghulam Abbas has won from NA-59 Talagang-cum-Chakwal by securing 141,680 votes, accordingto the provisional results released by the ECP.

PTI-backed candidate Fazal Khan has emerged victorious with over 100,000 votes in NA-25 Charsadda, according to the ECP’s preliminary result.

PML-N candidate Tanveer Aslam Malik retained the first position with 83,055 votes in PP-21 Chakwal II, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

PPP candidate Ali Gohar Khan has been successful with 154,832 votes in NA-199 Ghotki, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

Former prime minister and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif has won the NA 123 seat from Lahore with 63,953 votes, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

PML-N’s Abrar Ahmed has successfully won from NA-55 Rawalpindi IV with 78,542 votes while Tahir Iqbal from the same party clinched NA-58 Chakwal I, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

PPP leader Mehboob Ali Khan Bijarani has secured victory in PS-6 Kashmore III with 86,365 votes while Ali Nawaz Khan Mahar won from PS-21 with 63,578 votes.

According to the provisional results released by the ECP, another PPP candidate Sohail Anwar won from PS-12 Larkana.

PTI-backed independent candidate Zubair Khan has come out victorious in PK-34 Battagram with 13,501 votes.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s preliminary result, JUI candidate Shah Hussain Khan lost with 11,628 votes.

BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal has won the National Assembly election from NA-261 Surab-Cum-Kalat-Cum-Mastung by securing 3,404 votes, APP reports.

According to the provisional results released by the ECP, his runner-up was PPP’s Sardar Sanaullah Khan Zehri who bagged 2,871 votes. The overall voter turn-out remained 3.97 per cent.

Estranged PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said the “people of Pakistan have spoken” as results begin to come out for general elections 2024.

He warned that any attempt to “manipulate their mandate will result in unsustainable chaos”.

“The heat of the electoral process has passed; it is time to allow the country to heal.

“The political leadership — Mian Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Imran Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and others — must rise above petty politics and work together to confront the immense challenges our country is facing; they need to recognise that history is not kind to selfish politicians.”

PPP candidate Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Khan Mahar has won the PS-20 Ghotki seat with 87,431 votes, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.

PTI-backed candidate Ali Khan Jadoon has won the NA 17 Abbottabad seat with 97,177 votes, according to the provisional results released by the ECP, APP reports.

PTI-backed independent candidate Hameedur Rahman has won Bajaur’s PK-19 constituency by securing 23,044 votes, APP reports.

According to unofficial results issued by the ECP, his runner-up was independent candidate Khalid Khan, who bagged 13,571 votes.

Overall voters’ turn-out remained 29.48 per cent.

PTI-backed independent candidate Riaz Khan has won Buner’s PK-25 constituency by securing 28,490 votes, APP reports.

According to the unofficial result issued by the ECP, his runner-up was JUI-P’s Fazal Ghafoor, who bagged 12,702 votes.

Overall voters’ turn-out remained 33.25 per cent.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced the unofficial preliminary result of Peshawar’s NA-30, declaring PTI-affiliated candidate Shandana Gulzar as the winner with 78,971 votes.

PTI-backed independent candidate Sher Ali Afridi has bagged Peshawar’s PK-77 constituency as per unofficial results from the Election Commission of Pakistan.

He took 30,544 votes.

PTI-backed independent candidate Ali Shah has bagged Swat’s PK-4 constituency as per unofficial results from the Election Commission of Pakistan.

He took 30,022 votes.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced the “winners” of two seats for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly as per unofficial results.

The commission said that independent candidate Samiullah Khan won 18,888 votes according to results from 37.62 per cent of the polling stations for PK-76.

As for PK-6, independent candidate Fazal Hakeem Khan took 25,330 votes.

The two are PTI-backed candidates.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has begun announcing the provisional results of the general elections 2024.

ECP Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal said the results of two constituencies were received, Peshawar’s PK-76 and Swat’s PK-6.

“Samiullah Khan has been declared the winner from Peshawar’s PK-76,” he said.

He further added that for PK-6, “the winner candidate in this is Fazal Hakeem Khan, an independent.”

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed all the provincial election commissioners and returning officers to announce the results within half an hour or else strict action will be taken against them.

In a press release, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, the electoral watchdog said the statements being run by media channels regarding the ECP were not true.

PTI Central Secretary Information Raoof Hasan has claimed that his party is leading on at least 125 National Assembly seats “by huge margins”.

“In due course of time, we shall be in a position to form governments at the centre and at least two of the four provinces,” he said in a video message posted on party’s X account.

He thanked people for reposing their confidence “in their leadership of Imran Khan”.

PTI lawyer Abuzar Salman Niazi has said that the returning officer (RO) of the NA-128 constituency has issued an order to kick out candidates and election agents from his office.

In a post on X, he posted the alleged order issued by the RO.

UN Secretary General Antonio has urged political leaders and society segments to maintain a “calm atmosphere” as the results of the elections are being tabulated.

“I continue to follow the situation in Pakistan closely, including the general elections that took place today,” the UN chief said in a statement e-mailed to APP.

“I am also concerned about reports of incidents of violence and casualties, and the suspension of mobile communications services,” he said.

“As Pakistan awaits the results of the elections, I encourage all political leaders and society segments to maintain a calm atmosphere, as well as refrain from the use of violence and any actions that could increase tensions.

“It is important that all candidates and supporters ensure that human rights and the rule of law are fully respected in the interest of the Pakistani people and resolve any disputes that might arise through established legal procedures. “

Section 84 of the Election Rules, 2017 outlines the procedure for the announcement of provisional results.

The announcement of the results is still being awaited hours after polling ended at 5pm on Friday for the general elections 2024.

The section is reproduced below:

• (1) The returning officer (RO) shall prepare the provisional consolidated statement of results of the count (excluding postal ballots) of the constituency, as required under section 92, in Form-47 on the basis of the results of the count received by him from presiding officers (PO) electronically under sub-section (2) of section 13 or personally whichever is earlier.
• (2) The RO shall make sure that result of the count furnished by PO is arithmetically error-free before accepting the same.
• (3) In case, the RO finds any error in the form, he shall ask the PO to rectify the error and sign the same in token of the fact that the error has been corrected by the PO himself:
• Provided that in the event of correction of form under this subrule, the PO shall resend electronically the scanned copy of the corrected form to the commission:
• Provided further that the RO shall keep copy of the said corrected Form and also place the same in the relevant packet.
• (4) After preparing the provisional consolidated statement of results of the count under sub-rule (1), the RO shall announce the same in the presence of such of the candidates, their election agents or authorised observers as may be present and shall affix a copy of such results at a conspicuous place in his office for information of general public:
• Provided that the RO shall forthwith communicate the scanned copy of the Form-47 containing provisional results to the commission electronically on or before 2am the day immediately following the polling day and if, for any reason, the results are incomplete by 2am on the day immediately following the polling day, the RO shall communicate to the commission provisional results as consolidated till that time along with reasons for the delay, in writing, while listing the polling stations from which results are awaited and thereafter shall send the complete provisional results as soon as compiled but not later than 10am
• Provided that where the RO forward a case against the defaulting presiding officer(s) that delivery of result has been inordinately delayed, the commission shall initiate disciplinary proceedings under Section 54 and 55 of the Act and remunerations due to presiding officer(s) shall be withheld and in case it is already paid shall be recoverable from his salary.

PPP leader Murad Ali Shah has claimed the party’s lead over 10 National Assembly seats in Karachi.

Talking to Geo News, the former Sindh chief minister took digs at the Muttahida Qaumi movement-Pakistan.

The PTI has said its supporters have “shocked and worried the entire system with the historic turnout” during the general elections 2024.

It has alleged that election results are now being withheld “fearing the historic victory” of the party.

Cellular services have been restored in parts of Karachi after being suspended during the day for voting during the general elections.

A Dawn staffer corroborated that 3G and 4G services were also restored partially.

The PTI has said “unprecedented voter turnout” has stunned the entire system and alleged that attempts were being made to “alter” the poll results.

In a post on X, the party appealed to the voters to head to their respective polling stations in order to prevent the alleged manipulation of election results.

Hammad Azhar has claimed that PTI-affiliated candidates are in the lead according to data from the Election Commission of Pakistan.

“God willing the next government will be led by PTI and Imran Khan will be the prime minister,” Azhar said in a post on X.

The former federal minister thanked all the voters for coming out of their homes to exercise their rights.

“The clouds of oppression will end now,” he added.

MQM-P senior deputy convener Mustafa Kamal has said that the responsibility of Karachi, Hyderabad and other urban areas of Sindh has now been given to the party.

Addressing the media in Karachi, he said: “A very big responsibility the people of Sindh’s urban areas have again given to the MQM-P. This is not a worrying matter. We don’t have the option to fail in serving the people.”

He said that as per reports, even “non-traditional” areas and “no-go areas” for the MQM-P had given votes to the party.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has claimed that as per reports the party is receiving, the party is leading in up to 18 to 19 National Assembly seats of Karachi.

Addressing the media in Karachi, he said: “Apart from two to three seats in the city’s outskirts, on almost all 18 seats and up to 19 according to another report, the MQM is leading and is on its way to breaking its own record.”

Rai Hassan Nawaz, running as an independent candidate affiliated with the PTI, is leading in the vote count for NA-143 (Sahiwal-III) with 73,489 votes, according to unofficial results.

The runner-up right now is independent candidate Chaudhry Tufail Jutt with 65,438 votes. He is 8,051 votes behind Nawaz, according to Geo News, Dawn News and PTV.

According to Geo News, PTV and Dawn News, at least 51 per cent of the polling stations completed their count around midnight.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has pointed out how electoral “results are incredibly slow coming in”.

However, he said the initial results were “very encouraging” with “PPP candidates and independents” performing well.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said that troops stationed outside polling stations are there to provide security till the conclusion of the vote-counting process and have nothing to do with the election process.

In a press release, the ISPR said: “Only the election staff are continuing the vote counting process inside the polling offices.”

It added that the public was expected to fully cooperate with the armed forces till the completion of the process.

PPP leader Saeed Ghani has claimed that voters were not being allowed to enter the office of the returning officer in Karachi East. In a video message, he urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to take immediate notice.

Posts circulating on social media platform X have claimed that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif is departing for London on the night of February 8.

However, no flight is scheduled for London from Lahore.

The iVerify Pakistan platform checked the Flight Radar 24 online tracker to see the flights operating on the night of Feb 8 from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport to London but did not find any.

This fact check has been published in partnership with iVerify Pakistan — a project of CEJ and UNDP.

As voters headed to the polls, the influence of Pakistan’s powerful military and the turbulent state of the country’s politics were on full display.

Few doubted which party would come out on top, a reflection of the generals’ hold on Pakistan’s troubled democracy.

But the military is facing new challenges to its authority from a discontented public, making this an especially fraught moment in the nation’s history.

The tension was underlined as Pakistan’s Interior Ministry announced that it had suspended mobile phone service across the country because of the security situation.

Some analysts in Pakistan cast it as an effort to keep opposition voters from getting information or coordinating activities.

Read more here

After five hours of vote counting, an intriguing battle is unfolding in several constituencies: Yasmeen Rashid versus Nawaz Sharif in NA-130, Afzal Hafeez Pahat against Shehbaz Sharif in NA-123, and Rehana Imtiaz Dar against Khawaja Muhammad Asif in NA-71.

As per unofficial and unconfirmed results from specific polling stations until 10:30pm, the following outcomes have been reported:

• NA-123: Shehbaz Sharif leads with 16,154 votes, while Afzal Azeem Pahat trails behind with 15,893 votes.
• NA-248: PTI-backed independent candidate Arsalan Khalid is ahead with 1849 votes, followed by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui with 241 votes.
• NA-67: Aniqa Mehdi, backed by PTI, holds the lead with 23,008 votes, while Saira Afzal Tarar of PML-N trails with 19,391 votes.
• NA-119: Maryam Nawaz is currently leading with 869 votes, with Shehzad Farooq trailing behind with 438 votes
• NA-19: Asad Qaisar is ahead with 16,167 votes, followed by JUI-F’s Maulana Fazl Ali Sharif with 8,824 votes
• NA-71: Khawaja Asif is ahead with 8,773 votes, followed by Rehana Imtiaz Dar with 8,524 votes.

PTI vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s daughter Meher Bano Qureshi, running as an independent candidate, is leading in the vote count for NA-151 (Multan) with 26,236 votes, according to unofficial results.

The runner-up right now is PML-N’s Abdul Ghaffar with 18,558 votes. He is 7,678 votes behind Meher Bano, PTV reports.

According to Geo News, PTV and Dawn News, at least 61 per cent of the polling stations completed their count at around 10:45pm.

The PTI has claimed that election results across the country are being delayed after Imran Khan’s candidate emerged victorious.

“There are reports of closure of the screens in the offices of returning officers in several circles,” PTI’s Omary Ayub alleged in a video message on social media platform X.

He warned that attacks on the people’s mandate through a “closed-door conspiracy” or tampering would have negative consequences. Ayun urged PTI workers to stay at polling stations and only leave until they were provided with Form-45.

“The election commission should ensure the immediate release of the results instead of facilitating the scandalous process of tampering with the election results,” he added.

Several persons were injured in clashes between rival parties during the voting process in Karachi, officials said.

Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said four persons including three with bullet injuries were brought to different hospitals. She said the victims were injured during poll-related violence and the condition of one of them was serious.

Providing details, she said a 22-year-old man, identified as Badal Mohammed, was shot at and wounded in Sohrab Goth. Meanwhile, Humayun Taj, 56, suffered a gunshot when workers of two parties clashed outside a polling station in Shah Faisal colony.

In Sachal area, Mohammed Asif, 35, suffered bullet injuries on his leg during a firing incident near a polling station. Separately another man suffered injuries during a clash in the NA-232 and PS-91 constituencies.

Some sporadic incidents of violence were also reported after polling concluded in certain areas of the metropolis. A passerby, Ishaq, 62, was shot at and wounded when two groups resorted to firing in Surjani Town.

Amid reports of clashes and delays, mainstream political parties such as the PPP, Jamaat-i-Islami and PTI have urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to take notice of rigging at polling stations across the country.

In Karachi, the PPP claimed ballot papers were snatched from the electoral staff in the PS-105 constituency. The JI also alleged that MQM-P workers tried to sabotage voting at multiple polling stations. Videos circulating on social media also showed masked men entering polling stations in the metropolis.

From Balochistan, Akhtar Mengal wrote a complaint to the ECP, saying that the station house officer of Quetta had taken “900 votes”.

Similarly, former lawmaker Mohsin Dawar alleged “large-scale rigging” was underway in North Waziristan’s NA-40 (Tappi).

In Punjab, PTI-backed candidate for Sialkot Rehana Dar said the returning officer had refused to give her Form 45.

Former PTI leader Maleeka Bokhari claims rigging is taking place in Bahawalpur’s NA-166.

“This clear violation and rigging was reported to RO who is not taking any action against the opposing Candidate Sami Gillani,” she wrote on X. It must be noted that PTI-backed Kanwal Shauzab was contesting polls from the constituency.

After three hours of vote counting, an intriguing battle is unfolding in several constituencies: Yasmeen Rashid versus Nawaz Sharif in NA-130, Afzal Hafeez Pahat against Shehbaz Sharif in NA-123, and Rehana Imtiaz Dar against Khawaja Muhammad Asif in NA-71.

As per unofficial and unconfirmed results from specific polling stations until 9:15pm, the following outcomes have been reported:

• NA-10: Barrister Gohar Ali Khan leads with 3507 votes, while Abdul Rauf trails behind with 1912 votes.
• NA-130: Yasmeen Rashid is ahead with 3029 votes, followed closely by Nawaz Sharif with 2757 votes.
• NA-151: Mehr Bano Qureshi is in the lead with 10,729 votes, while Abdul Ghaffar has 7813 votes.
• NA-71: Khawaja Asif is currently leading with 6979 votes, with Rehana Imtiaz Dar trailing behind with 5452 votes.
• NA-119: Maryam Nawaz is in lead with 736 votes, followed by Shehzad Farooq with 308 votes.

The military’s media affairs wing has congratulated the nation on the “generally peaceful and violence-free conduct of general elections”.

In a press release, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said: “The armed forces and other law enforcement agencies “are proud to have played a pivotal role in providing security during the conduct of the sacred electoral process, in aid of civil power, and in accordance with the constitution of Pakistan.”

“With the deployment of 137,000 army personnel and civil armed forces at approximately 6,000 selected most sensitive polling stations and over 7,800 QRFs, a safe and secure environment for the public was ensured,” it said.

The ISPR stated that “51 cowardly terrorist attacks” were reported mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in which 12 people, including 10 security personnel were martyred and 39 others were injured.

“Through proactive intelligence manoeuvres and swift action, many potential threats were neutralised, underscoring the unwavering commitment of our security agencies to protect the democratic rights of our citizens,” it said, adding that five terrorists were killed in various operations.

“The armed forces remain dedicated to upholding peace and security in the country and stand ready to provide unwavering support in safeguarding the democratic traditions of our state,” the ISPR added.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the suspension of internet and cellular services across Pakistan.

“Cutting off mobile communication services on an election day and preventing journalists from reporting from polling stations severely undermines citizens’ rights to stay informed,” said CPJ’s Asia Program Coordinator Beh Lih Yi.

“These heavy-handed measures raise serious questions about Pakistan’s commitment to democracy and human rights. A free and fair election requires independent media reporting and unhampered access to information.”

PTI has said today’s voter turnout in “unprecedented numbers” is a victory for the nation.

“Even though the illegitimate, fascist regime tried every low tactic to scare & dissuade people from voting, the people of Pakistan came out today in unprecedented numbers to vehemently reject the system of oppression, lawlessness & fraud!” PTI said in a post on X.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has said internet outages will not impact the compilation of election results, affirming that the electoral watchdog has an “exclusive and independent networking system”.

“I want to clarify that our operations are not reliant on the internet,” he said in an interview.

The CEC further stated that he was content with the execution of elections, saying that the electoral process was “seamless and flawless”.

“The electoral process started on time, and we remain satisfied with the ongoing proceedings. Despite minor issues, our teams swiftly resolved grievances in a short time,” Raja said.

He added that the ECP’s complaint and election management systems were functioning seamlessly and providing information to everyone.

The Interior Ministry has said mobile phone services have been partially restored in parts of the country.

Earlier in the day, the ministry said mobile phone and internet services were suspended across Pakistan owing to security threats.

In a post on X a little after 8pm, it said cellular services have been restored in Bhakkar, Sargodha, Taxila, Gujar Khan Chakri, Loralai, Sibi, Jhal Magsi and all of Sindh except Malir and Karachi.

In another post, the ministry said mobile phone services would soon be restored nationwide.

PTI’s Hammad Azhar has questioned the failure in restoring phone networks. “Which security situation is in danger now?” he asked in a social media post.

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal has refuted the allegations that he is involved in the arrest of Daniyal Aziz.

Earlier in the day, Aziz’s wife claimed her husband was badly tortured and picked up by the police. She had named Ahsan Iqbal as the culprit.

In a post on X, Iqbal said Aziz’s supporters carried out violence at various polling stations prompting the police to intervene.

It must be noted that Aziz had earlier accused Iqbal of all the ills being faced by the country. Aziz was subsequently issued a show-cause notice by the PML-N.

PPP leader Saeed Ghani has claimed that workers of Irfanullah Marwat snatched four books of ballot papers at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Girls College in Karachi’s PS-105.

He added that the “goons” stopped the counting of votes after taking over the polling station.

Jamaat-i-Islami has demanded that the results of the polls should not be “imposed” on the public. “We are winning, let us win,” the party said.

MQM has claimed that its National Assembly candidate Arshad Vohra was attacked by armed PPP men on “the direction of Bilawal House chief guard Akram Baloch”.

Several MQM workers have also been injured, the party said in a statement.

According to the spokesperson, MQM workers were attacked when they confronted PPP workers who were allegedly involved in rigging at CMS school on Karachi’s Nishtar road.

“The election commission should take notice of the hooliganism and rigging by the PPP,” the spokesperson said.

MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar has refuted reports of an attack on his life and said he is safe inside his election office.

In a video statement shared by journalist Naimat Khan, Sattar said: “These rumours that my car was attacked and I was injured are false. These fake reports are being spread to create panic.”

PTI-backed candidate Rehana Dar claimed the returning officer in her constituency was not letting her enter the polling station.

“I have a clear understanding of his intentions, he wants to facilitate Khawaja Asif in a closed room,” she alleged, warning no tampering of election results will be tolerated.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has congratulated law enforcement agencies and administration for conducting “overall peaceful elections”.

Tessori said he monitored the election process throughout the day while staying in touch with law enforcement agencies and the administration.

“Contrary to rumours, the overall peaceful conduct of elections in the province is the result of everyone’s joint efforts,” Tessori said, adding that people should be congratulated for voting for their candidates.

“I hope the newly elected government will solve the problems of the people and take measures to restore the economy,” he said.

MQM-P leader Faisal Subzwari says his colleague Farooq Sattar is safe and fine. The confirmation comes after media reports claimed Sattar was injured in firing.

Former minister Zartaj Gul Wazir has expressed her concerns over what she calls a violent incident at a polling station in Dera Ghazi Khan’s NA-185 constituency.

Wazir claimed that the area’s station house officer, Fayyaz Lashari, forcibly removed her polling agent, seized the voting box, and departed in a private car.

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi has congratulated the nation on the successful completion of the general election.

“Today the nation has witnessed another historic event in our democratic journey,” he said in a message broadcast on PTV.

People across Pakistan participated in the electoral process, demonstrating their commitment to democracy, their national responsibility and their belief in the power of the vote, he said.

“This enthusiastic turnout is not only a testament to the strength of our democracy but also marks a significant milestone in our nation’s history,” he added.

Solangi further extended his gratitude to “all those who played a pivotal role in this democratic exercise”.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has said that elections were held in a “100 per cent transparent and peaceful” manner.

“The polling process continued without any interruption,” Raja said, state-run PTV reports.

“No citizen was prevented from voting,” he said, adding that voting was extended at three polling stations in Gujarat upon the request of concerned voters.

ECP spokesperson Haroon Shinwari has said the results of the elections would be announced on time, adding that internet outages would not affect the electoral watchdog’s system.

Pakistan witnessed a countrywide internet and cellular outage during the electoral process. Earlier in the day, the Interior Ministry said services were suspended owing to the security situation.

In a video statement released on X, JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed concern over deteriorating conditions in the city.

He alleged that JI workers were fired upon and injured outside polling stations in NA-232. Rehman claimed that the MQM-P occupied several locations, including Shah Faisal No 2, Malir Khokhrapar, and Nazimabad No 2.

Rehman criticised the presence of Rangers, asserting that their failure to intervene in such incidents was shameful. The JI leader further stated that he tried to contact DG Rangers but his calls went unanswered.

Rehman pledged to protest against such actions, deeming them unacceptable.

Counting of votes is underway after polling ended at 5pm, Radio Pakistan reports.

Voters who were present inside the premises of polling stations before the closing time were allowed to complete the electoral process.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said it has resolved 76 poll-related complaints, which were received throughout the day.

According to the ECP spokesperson, most of the complaints were of a “normal nature” involving confrontations between political workers in different areas which were resolved on the spot.

The PTI has urged supporters not to leave polling stations without collecting the Form 45.

Form 45 is known as the statement of the count, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan. It is supposed to show the number of valid votes for each contesting candidate and ballot papers excluded from the count.

As Pakistan awaits the results of the 2024 general elections, Amnesty International has called the suspension of mobile and internet services throughout the day “a blunt attack on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly”.

Several voters across the country faced difficulties throughout the electoral process, which began at 8am and concluded at 5pm.

“It is reckless to impede access to information as people head out to polling stations on the heels of devastating bomb blasts and what has been an intense crackdown on the opposition in the lead up to the elections in the country,” Amnesty International’s South Asia office said in a statement.

“Unwarranted restrictions on dissemination of information, despite reassurances to the contrary from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority and Election Commission of Pakistan, are in breach of people’s human rights at this critical time in Pakistan.”

Shortly after polling concluded across Pakistan, interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar congratulated the nation for the “successful conduct” of the general elections.

In a post on X, he said the high voter turnout today was a clear indication of the public commitment to shaping the future of the country.

“The voices, expressed through the votes, will contribute to the fortification of our democracy, and for that, people of Pakistan deserve every bit of appreciation,” he wrote.

The premier further commended the efforts of the security personnel, civil administration and the Election Commission of Pakistan for conducting “free and fair elections across the country”.

“Your resolve in the aftermath of the recent terrorism incidents, continuing to participate in the electoral process, is a powerful statement against the forces that seek to destabilize our nation. It underscores our collective desire for peace, stability, and prosperity.” PM Kakar added.

Jamaat-i-Islami Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has claimed that MQM workers have fired on JI party workers and injured them in Shah Faisal Colony Number 5 area of the metropolis.

In a post on X, he claimed the MQM also captured the Shah Faisal Colony Number 2 polling station.

“MQM has been defeated by the people and efforts are being made to force mandate,” he said in a post on X.

PPP’s Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari has told people inside polling stations to exercise their right to vote after the deadline.

“Stand firm and ask for your right to vote,” she said.

The deputy commissioner of Quetta has refuted rumours circulating on social media about missing ballot papers in PB-45.

Upon inquiry with the returning officer, it was discovered that the signatures presented as evidence were fake, he said.

The DC emphasised that the voting process proceeded smoothly at polling stations. Additionally, he stated his intention to file a complaint with the FIA against those responsible for spreading the false claims.

Polling marred by rigging allegations and cellular and internet outages has concluded across Pakistan.

The voting process began at 8am and continued till 5pm.

The Election Commission of Pakistan earlier said that exceptions would only be made for people already inside the polling station.

PTI has claimed that efforts are underway to halt voting in Karachi’s Askari 4. It alleged that only two polling officers were present inside the polling station in the NA-236 constituency.

“Other staff have fled,” the party said in a post on X, adding that polling started just a few minutes ago.

“The Election Commission has failed as always!” the PTI added.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reiterated that polling across the country will end at 5pm.

In a statement on X, the electoral watchdog said exceptions would be made for people already inside the polling station.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar has admitted that the interim government cannot “guarantee” free and fair elections. He passed these remarks in an interview with Sky News on the eve of general elections.

Additionally, he told Sky News that there is no attempt to “target a specific party or group” amid claims of pre-poll rigging and candidate harassment.

The JI claims polling stations in Karachi’s NA-236 constituency are overcrowded and over 200 people are standing outside the office.

The post stated that men were unable to go inside and the women who did go inside complained that polling booths for men and women had been set up in the same room and the book of voter lists is missing.

PTI, in a post on their X account, has alleged that PML-N workers are bullying voters in Punjab’s Khushab district.

“PML-N bullying continues even in Khushab, the journey from ‘respect the vote’ to ‘stealing votes by harassing voters’ continues rapidly!” PTI said in a post on their X account.

Caretaker Federal Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz visited various polling stations along with ICCPO Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, Islamabad Police shared on social media.

The officials met the citizens exercising their right to vote and claimed that “people appreciated the security arrangements made by the Islamabad Police”.

The PTI has demanded an extension in the polling deadline, which ends at 5pm.

In a statement on X, the party’s chief organiser Omar Ayub said a large number of voters came out today despite multiple hurdles. “There have been a lot of complaints from the election staff about the delays in the polling process,” he stated.

He added that the PTI would submit a formal application for the extension in the deadline.

Caretaker Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai has said the electoral process in the province is running smoothly until now and hoped that the same would continue until evening.

“The condition is peaceful in the province and people are coming out to cast their vote,” he said, adding that “terrorists have lost”

“Like other provinces, Balochistan will deliver results after 5pm,” the minister said.

The Election Commission of Pakistan said it received 55 poll-related complaints of which 45 had been resolved while work was underway on the remaining ones.

In a statement, ECP spokesperson Haroon Shinwari said the complaints were regarding clashes, which were solved on the spot.