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SCENARIOS: What’s next in Pakistan election deadlock?

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Updated 11 February 2024
Reuters
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SCENARIOS: What’s next in Pakistan election deadlock?

  • Polls marred by violence, political turmoil concluded with no party winning a majority 
  • Ex-PM Sharif could strike a deal with Pakistan Peoples Party to form majority in parliament
Updated 11 February 2024
Reuters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national election ended with no party winning a majority in parliament, in polls marred by militant violence, political turmoil and questions of transparency.

Former prime ministers and bitter rivals Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan both declared victory, adding to the uncertainty as the country faces numerous challenges that need to be addressed quickly, including negotiating a new International Monetary Fund program to keep a struggling $350 billion economy afloat.

Next, a prime ministerial candidate has to show a simple majority of 169 seats in the National Assembly when the house is called in coming days.

The Assembly consists of 336 seats of which 266 are decided through direct voting on polling day. There are also 70 reserved seats — 60 for women and 10 for non-Muslims — allotted according to the strength of each party in the house to determine the final position of parties in the Assembly.

Here are four scenarios on what could happen next:

SHARIF STRIKES DEAL TO HEAD A COALITION GOVERNMENT

Sharif’s party, which won 75 seats, strikes a deal with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of assassinated former premier Benazir Bhutto, which won 53 seats, to pull together a majority in parliament.

The two, along with other smaller parties, form a coalition government in which Sharif or his brother is prime minister and important positions are given to other parties.

The two parties were in government together for 16 months till August, with Bhutto-Zardari as foreign minister and Sharif’s brother Shehbaz as prime minister.

KHAN’S INDEPENDENTS SWEEP TO POWER

Khan’s independent candidates, who won 93 seats, join a smaller party in parliament in order to form a single bloc to fulfill a requirement for them to be allocated reserved seats. 

That would push them closer to a majority and allow them to put up a candidate for prime minister.

They can also strike a deal with other parties to support a consensus candidate, which also means Khan’s supporters are in power, and can push to have their jailed leader released under an agreement. Khan himself is not eligible to become prime minister.

The party will have to push hard for allies to align with Khan’s politics.

BHUTTO ZARDARI PUSHES TO HEAD COALITION GOVERNMENT

While Sharif and Khan’s candidates won the most seats, no party can form government without the PPP. With both looking to keep the other out of power, the PPP strikes a deal to make the young Bhutto Zardari prime minister.

He pushed the idea before the polls, saying he would bring a fresh approach to pull Pakistan out of multiple crises which other aged leaders have been unable to do.

NO DEAL, ARMY STEPS IN

Uncertainty drags on with no one able to form government. Pakistan’s army, the most powerful and organized force in the country, steps in to restore order and takes power as it has done thrice before in the country’s 76-year history — the last time in 1999 to overthrow Sharif’s government.

The army has already called on political parties to show “maturity and unity.”

Topics: elections 2024

UAE’s LuLuFin partners with Pakistan’s ABHI fintech for financial inclusion, remittances 

Updated 4 sec ago
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UAE’s LuLuFin partners with Pakistan’s ABHI fintech for financial inclusion, remittances 

  • Last year, ABHI secured $15 million in debt financing to expand UAE operations
  • In 2023, it was selected as one of the Future 100 companies of the UAE
Updated 4 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistani fintech ABHI, which expanded its operations to the UAE and Saudi Arabia last year, has partnered with leading global financial services conglomerate, LuLu Financial Holdings, to enhance financial inclusion and remittance solutions, ABHI said in a statement on Thursday. 

Founded in 2021, ABHI raised $17 million in a Series A funding round led by Speedinvest. Last year, it secured a whopping $15 million in debt financing through a credit facility by Shorooq partners and Amplify Growth Partnership companies to expand its operations in the United Arab Emirate. It also operates in Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

The fintech company provides employees an opportunity to withdraw their earned salary any day through its Earned Wage Access facility and other products. In 2023, it was selected as one of the Future 100 companies of the UAE.

“As part of the partnership, workers in the UAE will be able to access their earned wages instantly and remit funds to their families back home through LuLu Exchange — without having to wait for payday,” the ABHI statement said on the partnership with LuLuFin.

“Through the initiative, workers in the UAE will benefit from Earned Wage Access and Send Now, Pay Later services, giving them greater financial flexibility and control over their income.”

By offering instant access to earned wages and enabling timely remittances, the partnership addresses a key financial need among expatriate workers, empowering them to support their families with greater ease and security, ABHI said. 

The Pakistani fintech will provide the operational framework for LuLuFin, enabling customers to access their earned wages before their scheduled payday and allowing employees to send money internationally instantly with the flexibility to defer payment. 

The service will be rolled out across all major corridors, with the launch for Pakistani customers scheduled for May.

“This partnership with ABHI represents a bold step toward redefining financial connectivity for global diasporas. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we aim to create a seamless bridge for expatriates to support their families, setting the stage for a future where financial inclusivity knows no borders,” Thampi Sudarsanan, Chief Executive Officer, LuLu Exchange UAE, said.

Omair Ansari, the Co-Founder & CEO of Abhi Middle East Limited, said the partnership with LuLu Financial Holdings marked a “significant step in enabling expatriates to access their hard-earned wages seamlessly and support their families back home without financial strain.”

“By integrating ABHI’s technology with Lulu’s extensive market expertise, we are dedicated to promoting financial inclusion and providing underserved communities with greater flexibility and convenience in managing their finances,” Ansari added. 

In January, ABHI announced it had acquired FINCA microfinance bank to improve financial inclusion for millions of Pakistanis across the country.

FINCA Pakistan, part of a global FINCA network, operates in 108 cities across Pakistan, providing state-of-the-art deposit and payment solutions, including micro-credit facilities aimed at improving livelihoods.

In February, ABHI launched the ABHI Microfinance Bank in collaboration with TPL Corp. 

Topics: LuLu Financial Holdings Abhi Pvt

Pakistan launches second phase of Hajj flight operations

Updated 9 min 48 sec ago
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Pakistan launches second phase of Hajj flight operations

  • Over 89,000 pilgrims to travel under government scheme during 33-day-long Hajj flight operations
  • Pilgrims will travel to Makkah and Madinah via 342 flights, last one to depart Pakistan on May 31
Updated 9 min 48 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched the second phase of Pakistan Hajj flight operations for pilgrims traveling under the government-sponsored scheme, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday.

Over 89,000 pilgrims will travel under the government’s scheme during Pakistan’s 33-day-long Hajj flight operations, which started on April 29. Pilgrims will travel to Makkah and Madinah via 342 flights in total, with the last one departing from Pakistan on May 31.

On Wednesday, as the second phase of operations started, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf received 305 pilgrims at Jeddah airport. They had arrived directly from Islamabad under the Makkah Route Initiative.

“Almost 46,000 pilgrims will arrive in Makkah via Jeddah by the 31st of this month,” Radio Pakistan reported. “They will then proceed to Madinah after performing Hajj.”

The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers. This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again. 

Around 50,500 Pakistani pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia under the initiative this year. The scheme was launched in 2019 by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and has been implemented in five countries: Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco and Bangladesh.

This year’s annual pilgrimage will take place in June, with nearly 89,000 Pakistanis expected to perform Hajj under the government scheme and over 23,620 Pakistanis through private tour operators.

Topics: Pakistan Hajj 2025 Hajj operations

Pakistan PM calls for agricultural innovation amid climate and food security concerns

Updated 24 min 34 sec ago
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Pakistan PM calls for agricultural innovation amid climate and food security concerns

  • Shehbaz Sharif instructs relevant officials to ensure the provision of easy agricultural loans to farmers
  • He asks his administration to present an agricultural innovation plan, promote the use of technology
Updated 24 min 34 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday emphasized the need to strengthen agricultural research and directed the formulation of a national innovation framework amid growing concerns over climate change and food security.

Sharif was chairing a high-level meeting to review reforms in the agriculture sector. He said the government was modernizing farming practices to achieve self-sufficiency and unlock the sector’s full economic potential.

Pakistan has in recent years experienced a series of extreme climate events, including heatwaves, droughts and floods. In 2022, catastrophic floods submerged a third of the country, killing around 1,700 people and causing more than $35 billion in economic losses.

Last year, Pakistan deepened agricultural cooperation with Beijing during Sharif’s visit to China, where both sides agreed to train Pakistani agriculture experts and promote the use of modern technology and innovative farming practices.

“Ensure the provision of agricultural loans to farmers on easy terms,” Sharif instructed relevant officials, according to a statement issued by his office after the meeting.

“Focus on agricultural research to increase national productivity,” he added. “We need a sustainable and long-term agro-industrial development policy to boost both agriculture and forestry, which are essential to tackling climate change.”

During the meeting, the prime minister noted that Pakistan had been blessed with fertile land, capable experts and hardworking farmers, stressing the need for a coordinated strategy in consultation with all stakeholders, including provincial governments.

He instructed relevant ministries to present a National Agricultural Innovation Plan, expedite reforms in the seed certification system and devise an effective strategy to promote high-quality seeds.

He also called for the creation of a comprehensive regulatory framework to support innovation and transparency in the sector.

“Promoting modern technology in agriculture is our priority,” the PM said, reiterating his government’s commitment to transforming the sector to drive economic growth and build climate resilience.

A working group established to develop agricultural reforms also presented its proposals during the meeting, the PMO said.

Topics: pakistan agriculture

Pakistan PM reaffirms commitment to ceasefire with India in meeting with Azerbaijani envoy

Updated 15 May 2025
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Pakistan PM reaffirms commitment to ceasefire with India in meeting with Azerbaijani envoy

  • Shehbaz Sharif calls Pakistan a ‘peace-loving nation’ that is ready to defend its sovereignty
  • He says Azerbaijan’s support during the standoff reflected its ‘enduring friendship’ with Pakistan
Updated 15 May 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a ceasefire understanding with India during a meeting with Azerbaijani Ambassador Khazar Farhadov, while also warning that the country remained ready to defend its sovereignty in case of future aggression.
The meeting came days after cross-border hostilities between Pakistan and India were brought to a halt under a ceasefire agreement announced by US President Donald Trump.
According to state media, Sharif described the development as consistent with Pakistan’s peaceful posture.
“Pakistan is a peace-loving nation and in this spirit, agreed to accept the ceasefire understanding with India,” Sharif said, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
He also praised the armed forces for the successful conduct of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, calling it a “historic victory” for the nation.
The prime minister also thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan for their “unwavering solidarity” during the recent tensions, calling it a reflection of the “enduring friendship” between the two countries.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan maintain close political and defense ties, with expanding cooperation in energy, trade and investment.
Sharif described Aliyev’s visit to Islamabad in July 2024 as a key milestone, followed by his own visit to Baku in February, which helped open new avenues of bilateral collaboration.
Ambassador Farhadov congratulated the prime minister and the Pakistani nation on the success of the military operation and reaffirmed his country’s support for regional peace.
He said President Aliyev placed high importance on bilateral relations and expressed commitment to enhancing cooperation across all areas of mutual interest.

Topics: pakistan azerbaijan ties

Pakistan hails US-Houthi ceasefire at UN, urges inclusive political process in Yemen

Updated 10 min 45 sec ago
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Pakistan hails US-Houthi ceasefire at UN, urges inclusive political process in Yemen

  • US announced Yemen ceasefire on May 6 after Houthis agreed to halt attacks on American vessels in Red Sea
  • Pakistan says only a Yemeni-owned, UN-facilitated political process can lead to peace in the Arab country
Updated 10 min 45 sec ago
Kashaf Rehman

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed the US-Houthi ceasefire as a “diplomatic breakthrough” and called for the momentum to be used to advance an inclusive political process in Yemen, while also condemning attacks that threaten global maritime security.

The remarks by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, came during a UN Security Council briefing on Yemen, days after the United States announced a halt to airstrikes in the region.

US President Donald Trump declared an immediate ceasefire with Yemen’s Houthi rebels on May 6 after the group agreed to stop attacking American vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The agreement, brokered by Oman, aims to reduce tensions and safeguard vital international shipping lanes.

The Houthis have said their attacks were in response to US support for Israel and in solidarity with Palestinians, but the targeting of global shipping has drawn widespread condemnation.

“This opportunity must not be squandered or exploited. It should be used to advance an inclusive, intra-Yemeni political process,” said the top Pakistani diplomat at the UN.

He expressed alarm over the deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where, he said, more than 19.5 million people need assistance, including 17.1 million facing acute food insecurity and 12 million children lacking access to basic services.

Ahmad pointed out that what began as a domestic conflict in Yemen had evolved into a regional and international challenge with serious humanitarian, political, economic and environmental consequences.

He reiterated that only a “Yemeni-owned, Yemeni-led” process facilitated by the United Nations could provide a credible path to lasting peace. Pakistan, he said, fully supports such an initiative.

Welcoming mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia and Oman, the ambassador urged all parties to honor the December 2023 Roadmap, a UN-facilitated plan calling for a nationwide ceasefire, resumption of oil exports and the launch of an inclusive political process, while showing maximum restraint and prioritize diplomatic engagement.

He also condemned attacks on global shipping while urging the international community to remain engaged in preventing further deterioration of the situation in Yemen.

 

Topics: Yemen

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