The US, UK, and EU have spoken out about potential irregularities in the recent Pakistan election, with calls for an investigation into the reported issues. The results show a fractured mandate with both the PML-N and PTI parties falling short of a majority. Meanwhile, the PPP and PML-N have announced plans to form a coalition government in order to address the country's political and economic stability.
According to initial trends from the Pakistan general elections, independent candidates supported by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are giving a tough challenge to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the key Punjab province. Incidents of violence and terror attacks have been reported during the elections, which has left at least twelve people dead. PTI's candidate, Dr Yasmin Rashid, is currently leading in Lahore's NA-130 constituency, while Shehbaz Sharif is ahead in Lahore's NA-123. The PTI has alleged that the election results are being delayed and their candidates are emerging victorious, but the results reported by news channels are unofficial and may change as the counting progresses.
Following an attack by Iran on terror bases in Pakistan's Balochistan, Islamabad has responded by striking militant targets in Iranian territory. The tension between the two countries has continued to escalate, with the latest being the retaliatory attacks by Pakistan. In other news, AAP leader Raghav Chadha criticizes BJP after Chandigarh mayoral elections are postponed and chaos ensues as a truck carrying chickens overturns in UP, leading to a scuffle among onlookers for the escaped poultry.