Elections in Pakistan: PMLN and PPP reach agreement on coalition government without Imran Khan

(Patria) - Two political parties in Pakistan have reached an official agreement to form a new government after controversial elections, the BBC reported. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) will be supported by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the new administration, they announced jointly.

Both parties won fewer seats than candidates loyal to the detained former Prime Minister Imran Khan on February 8. On X, Khan's PTI party labeled the coalition "mandate thieves." His movement claims the vote was rigged.

More than six days after reaching an initial agreement to form a coalition, PMLN and PPP announced that a full agreement had been concluded at a press conference on Tuesday.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the PPP, said that "the goal of the coalition is to resolve the country's economic crisis," and former Prime Minister and PMLN President Shahbaz Sharif promised "collective action to address economic and other challenges."

The agreement means Sharif is on track to become prime minister for the second time, while Asif Ali Zardari of the PPP will be the coalition's candidate for president – a position he previously held. The process for electing the prime minister involves a parliamentary vote, expected by the end of February.

Separate elections to decide the next president will be held in the coming weeks. It remains unclear who will take over other important government positions.