Pakistan Election 2024 Highlights: Counting underway, Imran Khan's party-backed independents ahead

The Election Commission of Pakistan has begun announcing the results of the general elections 2024, after parties expressed concern over the delay in declaring them following the poll process marred by sporadic violence and Internet shutdown. (PTI)

Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has claimed it was emerging as the lead party in polls held Thursday and would form governments both at the centre and in provinces, as it thanked people on his behalf for speaking up via a "massive turnout" despite attempt to undermine their will. (PTI)

Pakistan counted votes after polling ended on Thursday in a general election marred by militant attacks and suspension of mobile phone services, with no indication of a clear leader seven hours after voting closed - an unusual delay compared to previous polls. (Reuters)

Jailed ex-premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party-backed independents were Thursday leading in a number of constituencies across the country, giving a tough challenge to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's PML-N in its stronghold Punjab, according to initial trends of the elections marred by sporadic violence. (PTI)

Jailed ex-premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party-backed independents were Thursday posing a tough challenge to candidates from three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's party in the crucial Punjab province, according to initial trends of the general elections marred by sporadic violence.

Mobile phone services were being gradually restored across Pakistan on Thursday, the interior ministry said, after a day-long blackout during voting in general elections.

PPP Karachi president, Senator Saeed Ghani has shared a video of a presiding officer's shocking claims regarding the Pakistan parliamentary election on Thursday. In the video, the presiding officer is heard claiming that four ballot paper books were looted from his possession.

Pakistan's Balochistan Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said that the province will announce election results later in the evening on Thursday, Dawn reported.

Counting of votes has started after the Pakistan parliamentary election on Thursday, reported news agency Reuters. Earlier, voting closed at 5 p.m on Thursday.

During the election, nine people died in militant attacks across the country.

Voting has concluded in the Pakistan parliamentary election held on Thursday. A countrywide public holiday was declared to enable a total of 128,585,760 registered voters to cast their ballots, reported news agency PTI.

Internet services were shut down in various parts of Pakistan during the election. Political parties have alleged rigging in the election marred by sporadic violence.

While the Pakistan parliamentary election is being held on Thursday, militant attacks have claimed the lives of at least nine people, including two children, reported news agency Reuters. Thousands of troops are deployed on the streets and at polling stations across the country.

A Pakistani politician named Mohsin Dawar has written a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan on Thursday. Mohsin alleged that Taliban took over polling station in Tappi, North Waziristan. He also claimed that three female polling agents were attacked.

A political party in Pakistan, Jamaat e Islami Pakistan has shared video of alleged rigging in the Pakistan parliamentary election on Thursday.

The next government in Pakistan will have to provide solutions to grave economic challenges plaguing the country currently. The new government may have to seek a new bailout programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the current arrangement will expire in March.

Pakistan ex-PM Nawaz Sharif cast his vote in the eastern city of Lahore on Thursday. Talking to reporters, he emphasised the need of a "clear majority" win in Pakistan parliamentary election.

"Don't talk about a coalition government. It is very important for a government to get a clear majority...it should not be relying on others," said Sharif as quoted by news agency Reuters.

The Human Rights Council of Pakistan has demanded restoration of mobile and internet services in the country amid the Pakistan parliamentary election on Thursday.

"The government of Pakistan is shutting down mobile service and internet services in various cities of Pakistan. This is sad and cause for concern," said the Human Rights Council of Pakistan as quoted by news agency PTI.

"Provision of mobile service on voting day is a basic requirement in Pakistan. We request the Election Commission and the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take immediate notice of this issue. Restore mobile service in Pakistan," it said.

Amid the Pakistan parliamentary election on Thursday, Imran Khan's party alleged that the police picked its poll agents in several areas of the country's Punjab province. The party alleged rigging in the elections, reported news agency PTI.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, alleged on Thursday that polling in various areas of Pakistan's Punjab province commenced without the presence of its agents. Some of these agents were reportedly detained by the police, purportedly to facilitate rigging in the elections.

PTI candidates are participating in the polls independently after the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the election commission to revoke the party's iconic election symbol, the cricket 'bat'. The PTI has accused the police of dismantling its polling camps.

Police said that four police officials were killed in a bomb blast and shooting incident in northwest Pakistan, Reuters reported.

According to sources cited by Pakistan-based Dawn, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and several other incarcerated political leaders have cast their votes via postal ballots from Adiala Jail.

Among those who have utilised mail voting are former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid, and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry.

Mobile phone services must be restored immediately across the country have asked my party to approach both ECP and the courts for this purpose: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Polling underway in Pakistan; visual from a polling booth in Peshawar.

Pakistan is set to vote on Thursday, February 8, in the widely anticipated general elections, which will lead to the formation of a new government relieving the crises-ridden country for the next five years.

Being a parliamentary democracy, Pakistan is set to vote in the federal legislature or the House Assembly and four state legislatures. A total of 44 political parties comprising 5,121 candidates are contesting in the federal legislature, whereas 12,695 candidates in state legislatures.

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Pakistanis turning out early for Thursday's election said they believe their votes count, despite allegations of rigging in the nation's most fractious poll in recent history.

AFP