Pakistan election results: When PML-N joined hands with PPP

The votes are still being counted in Pakistan. ‘Independent’ candidates backed by Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaaf have stormed into a huge lead with 57 seats. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is a distant second with 43 seats and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is lagging far behind with just 28 seats. Remember, the magic number required for a party to form a government in 133 seats in the 265 member National Assembly. While some have speculated that the ‘Independents’ backed by the PTI – which has not been allowed to use the party symbol of a cricket bat and whose leader is behind bars  – could form the government if they achieve a two-thirds majority, this is unlikely to occur. The more likely scenario is that the PML-N and PPP come together yet again in a coalition government to rule Pakistan. But what happened when the PML-N and PPP joined hands? Is an alliance on the cards again? Let’s take a closer look: When PML-N and PPP joined hands First, let’s take a brief look at the two parties. The PML-N is helmed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The three-time prime minister, who returned from exile in October 2023 after years of exile, is eyeing a record fourth term at the helm. The PPP, founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, is headed up by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari – the scion of the famous Bhutto-Zardari family. The PMN-L and PPP have traded power in Pakistan for most of its history in between periods of military rule after the army seized power, which itself accounts for nearly half of the 71 years since independence from Britain. The two parties most recently came together to form a government in April 2022.

That came after the fall of the Imran government.

Bilawal at the time made history as the country’s youngest foreign minister in  the coalition government led by Sharif’s younger brother Shehbaz. The PML-N and PPP were partners in the 16-month government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) in which Shehbaz Sharif was the prime minister. Founded in September 2020, the PDM comprised the PPP, PML-N, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), the Balochistan National Party and the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, as per Carnegie Endowment. But things didn’t go smoothly for the alliance as both parties accused the other of trying to cozy up to the establishment. A deal reportedly being struck between the military and PML-N supremo Nawaz was seemingly the last straw for the PPP [caption id=“attachment_13701182” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif.[/caption] . The PPP announced Bilawal as its candidate for prime minister and Zardari as its candidate for president prior to the Pakistan polls. The PML-N, meanwhile, have projected a return for Sharif to the PM’s chair. Prior to that, both parties joined hands in 2018 to attempt to prevent Imran Khan from becoming prime minister – a task in which they failed. That development came as several political outfits and organisations accused the military of rigging elections in favour of Imran Khan and his Pakistan Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaaf. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA) in 2018  agreed to form a ‘solid’ alliance in the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies. The PPP and PML-N last tied up to form a coalition government in 2008. That election, which was called by an under pressure  Pervez Musharraf, came in the aftermath of the assassination of PPP leader Benazir Bhutto. The death of Bhutto gave a boost to the PPP which emerged as the single-largest party in the general elections.

As per Dawn, the PPP won 95 seats in the House.

The PPP and PML-N together bagged 153 of the 272 seats in the House. As per Indian Express, Musharraf’s PML-Q was the second largest party. The government was formed after frantic negotiations between Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of Bhutto. “We have agreed on a common agenda. We will work together to form a government together in the Centre and in the provinces,” Sharif said at the time in a joint news conference with Zardari. “We have decided to work together for the interest of Pakistan, democracy and supremacy of democratic institutions, and rule of law in the country,” Zardari said. “We intend to strengthen Pakistan together, we are not looking at pro-Musharraf forces. I don"t believe pro-Musharraf forces exist,” Zardari said. Zardari said all of Pakistan’s problems “can be solved by the political forces.” The PPP’s Yousaf Raza Gilani became Prime Minister of Pakistan, while Zardari took over as president. [caption id=“attachment_13709762” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Former Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari.. Reuters[/caption] Musharraf, meanwhile, resigned in August 2008 and fled for London. However, the alliance between the PML-N and PPP lasted just six months. It came to an ignominious end after Nawaz accused Zardari of failing to live up t several promises. As per Indian Express, Zardari in 2012 said he only tied up with the Sharifs to rid the country of Musharraf. “The Sharifs have stiff necks and I know how to humble them,” Zardari had claimed. Is an alliance on the cards again? Not if you believe Sharif and Bilawal. Sharif on Wednesday pleaded with voters to be given a “crucial” majority in Parliament.

He said he would not form a coalition government. Geo News quoted Sharif as saying that Pakistan “needs a one-party majority to bring stability.”

“We rendered sacrifices to witness the day where we are today. We have to end this culture of abuse and indecency,” he said. He added that he hoped that the poll would bring prosperity to the country which is facing grave economic and security challenges. Asked to comment on the formation of a government after the elections, Sharif responded, “For God’s sake! Don’t talk about a coalition government. One-party majority is crucial for the country.” Meanwhile, Bilawal, earlier this week also ruled out such a partnership. “I will not become a foreign minister if Nawaz comes to power again, I can’t participate in the same old politics. If he breaks away from that and creates an environment that benefits democracy in the country, then I can stand with that,” Bilawal was quoted as saying by local media. Bilawal in January said there was no chance of forming a coalition with the PML-N. “Who told you that the PPP will form a coalition government with them [PML-N]? I have stated this before as well: ‘Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me’." “If they were banking on the [PPP] to form their government, then it will be tough for them,” Bilawal added. [caption id=“attachment_13704652” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is vying to become the next Pakistan PM. Reuters[/caption] Bilawal claimed his party would prefer to bring Independent candidates into their fold and form a government. Bilawal also blamed the PML-N for not following up on the commitments made with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which put the country at stake. “Their decision hurt the economy,” he said. He called the PML-N leaders’ claims of “sacrificing politics to save the State” as “a joke.” Last year, there were reports that the PPP was exploring ways to form a political alliance with the PTI. Political pundits also say the PPP may face the wrath of the powerful military establishment if it attempts to do so. Since the announcement of the polls, PPP has been taking shots against its ex-coalition partner over skyrocketing inflation and economic mismanagement.

But then again history shows that such statements ought not to be taken at face value.

Experts agree. “This indeed looks difficult considering Bilawal’s recent criticism of Sharif, but both parties are pragmatic, and, in my opinion, will seriously consider the option,” Abdul Khalique Ali, a Karachi-based political commentator, told Anadolu. Ali in fact said a coalition between PML-N, the PPP and some other regional and religio-political parties was “most likely.” ‘Can’t hold elections again and again’ Sharif’s aide Ishaq Dar today provided the first hint that his party may be open to a coalition government when he spoke of potentially tying up with Independents. Now, Dawn has reported that Sharif has asked Shehbaz to reach out to the other parties including the PPP, JUI-F and MQM-P to come together for a coalition government. “Shehbaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar will hold meetings today,” Sharif said.

“Given the situation right now, Pakistan needs at least 10 years of stability.”

We can’t hold elections again and again,” Sharif added. “We were all sitting together yesterday but didn’t address you because the results were not in.” “All the institutions in this country, every one should together play a positive role in bringing Pakistan out of this crisis.” “This is everyone’s Pakistan, not just PML-N’s. Everyone should sit in harmony and bring Pakistan out of the difficulties.” It remains to be seen how many seats the PMN-L and PPP get and whether Bilawal is receptive to Sharif’s entreaties. What was that about politics making strange bedfellows again? With inputs from agencies