MQM-P likely to join hands with PTI govt

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is likely to join Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

The decision was taken following consultations between PTI leader Jahangir Tareen and MQM-P convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, The Dawn reported while quoting sources.

The alliance will be formalised after a formal meeting between the leaders of the PTI and MQM-P, sources added. The MQM-P has won six seats in the current general elections so far, according to the ECP.

The ECP has released results of 268 out of 270 National Assembly (NA) constituencies. As per the ECP's preliminary results, PTI has won 115 seats, followed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP), who are in the second (63 seats) and third positions (43 seats) respectively.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan has tasked Tareen with recruiting independent Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPA). The decision was made after an advisory meeting was held in Islamabad.

The PTI will also hold discussions with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) to form the government in Punjab province.

PPP spokesperson Farhatullah Babar has announced that the party would not participate in a multi-party conference called by PML-N and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), in order to form a joint strategy against alleged rigging in the general elections.

The Dawn quoted Babar saying, "The PPP leadership will devise its own political strategy [over alleged poll irregularities]."

The ECP on Thursday announced that final results of Pakistan elections would be out within 24 hours. It further clarified that the Pakistan polls were conducted free and fair. The electoral body said that the overall voter turnout was 51.85 per cent.

An additional director of the ECP said that the voter turnout in Punjab stood at 55.9 per cent, followed by 48.11 per cent in Sindh, 45.52 per cent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 44.79 per cent in Balochistan respectively.