JUI-F leader holds Maulana Fazlur Rehman holds press conference in Islamabad

Raja Imran Bahadar

Maulana Fazal ur Rehman (L), leader of Islamic political party Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), speaks to journalists during a press conference in Islamabad, Pakistan, 14 February 2024. JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced that his party will sit in the opposition and denounced the poll results, criticizing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for claiming to hold transparent polls. He ruled out forming an alliance with any political party and invited PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif to join hands with him in opposition.The decision comes amidst allegations of post-election rigging and mass electoral misconduct. The hung parliament results have deepened the political deadlock in Pakistan, with no party able to form a government on its own. Independent candidates, largely supported by PTI, dominated with 101 seats in the aftermath of the 08 February elections, followed by PML-N with 75 and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with 54, according to the unofficial preliminary results announced by Election Commission of Pakistan.