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regular-article-logo Friday, 17 May 2024

Pakistan's jailed ex-PM Imran Khan claims election victory

In the message, which is usually delivered by word through his lawyers, Khan rejected rival Nawaz Sharif's earlier claim to victory

Reuters, PTI Islamabad Published 10.02.24, 05:46 AM
Imran Khan

Imran Khan File Photo

Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday claimed victory in the country's general election in an audio-visual message created using artificial intelligence and shared on his X social media account.

In the message, which is usually delivered by word through his lawyers, Khan rejected rival Nawaz Sharif's earlier claim to victory. Khan called on his supporters to celebrate a win that was achieved despite what he calls a crackdown on his party.

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Independent candidates backed by Khan won the most seats in Thursday's national election, despite him being in jail and his party barred from the polls.

US says looking forward to timely, complete results

The US is looking forward to timely, complete results that reflect the will of the Pakistani people, a State Department spokesperson said on Friday, amidst allegations of vote rigging in the general elections.

According to the latest Election Commission of Pakistan data, results of 224 constituencies out of 265 were declared. Independent candidates (mostly supported by jailed ex-premier Imran Khan's party) bagged 92 seats while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz got 63 and Pakistan Peoples Party 50. Smaller parties secured 19 seats.

"We now look forward to timely, complete results that reflect the will of the Pakistani people," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

"The US is prepared to work with the next Pakistani government, regardless of political party, to advance our shared interests," he said, adding that the US looks forward to bolstering its partnership by supporting Pakistan's economy through trade and investment.

Millions of Pakistanis, he said, made their voices heard by voting in the elections on February 8.

"We commend Pakistani poll workers, civil society, journalists and election observers for their work to protect and uphold Pakistan's democratic and electoral institutions. We now look forward to timely, complete results that reflect the will of the Pakistani people,” Miller said.

The US joins credible international and local election observers in their assessment that these elections included undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, he said.

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