Pakistan’s cricket star-turned politician Imran Khan declared victory on Thursday for his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI), in the country’s general election held on Wednesday. Mr Khan promised a “new” Pakistan following a vote that was however, marred by allegations of fraud and militant violence.
Mr. Khan, who aspires to be the next Prime Minister, said in a televised address to the nation, “Thanks to God, we won and we were successful.” “If God wills, we will set an example,” he added.
Commanding lead
Pakistan’s Election Commission has not yet released the official final results, but Mr. Khan has maintained a commanding lead, according to projections by many television stations. It is not clear whether the PTI would get a majority or be forced to form a coalition government.
Election officials said an official count confirming the next government was expected later in the evening.
Mr. Khan’s message of a “new” Pakistan resonated with young voters in a country where 64% of its 200 million people are below the age of 30, according to a UN report.
More than a dozen TV channels, based on official but partial counts, were projecting using their own, undisclosed methodologies that Mr. Khan’s PTI would get as many as 119 of the 270 National Assembly seats that were contested.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Shari’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is projected to win 61 seats, while the Pakistan People’s Party, led by Bilawal Bhutto, could get 40 seats. The remainder in the 342-seat Lower House includes reserved seats for women and minorities.
The election, in which Pakistanis voted for the National Assembly, and the four provincial assemblies, marked only the second time in Pakistan’s 71-year history that a civilian government has handed power to another.
