Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif has said that independent candidates backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) can form a government in the Centre if they have the required number of seats in the National Assembly.
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif stated that his party would “gladly sit in the opposition benches” if independent candidates could form a government. He acknowledged that independent candidates had garnered more votes, and if they could demonstrate a majority, PML-N would willingly sit in the opposition. Shehbaz emphasized the need for political factions to join hands and tackle the challenges facing Pakistan.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he said:

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“If they can show the majority [in the Assembly] then we will gladly sit in the opposition benches and play the constitutional role. If they cannot make a government, then obviously other political parties will make a decision with consensus and field a candidate. This is the constitutional way […] we need to move forward like this and finalise the upcoming phase.”

“We sacrificed politics to save the country. Otherwise, the PTI government had led the country to default.”

He also commented on allegations of rigging, noting that rigging allegations have been a common occurrence in elections. Regarding a potential deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Shehbaz stated that Pakistan would need another IMF package given the current state of the economy. He also expressed confidence in Nawaz Sharif becoming prime minister for the fourth time.