Highlights: Pakistan: first session of Parliament disrupted by Imran Khan's supporters. They continue to contest the results of the latest legislative elections. At the start of the ceremony, some members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held up portraits of Imran Khan as a sign of defiance. “In a democracy, Parliament is a sacred place ,” Gohar Ali Khan, acting PTI chief, told reporters. ‘Those who do not have the public trust and mandate should not sit here’

This Thursday, February 29, the inaugural session of the new National Assembly resulting from the polls in Pakistan was disrupted by deputies loyal to former Prime Minister Imran Khan. These continue…

Pakistan: first session of Parliament disrupted by Imran Khan's supporters

This Thursday, February 29, the inaugural session of the new National Assembly resulting from the polls in Pakistan was disrupted by deputies loyal to former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

They continue to contest the results of the latest legislative elections.

Members of the security forces in front of the Parliament of Pakistan, in Islamabad, February 29, 2024. AFP - FAROOQ NAEEM

By: RFI with AFP

This Thursday, February 29 in the morning, in Islamabad, the deputies took their seats in the 336-seat National Assembly in Islamabad and took the oath in unison around 11:30 a.m. (6:30 a.m. UT).

At the start of the ceremony, some members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held up portraits of Imran Khan as a sign of defiance, when the leaders of the other major groups entered the chamber.

“

In a democracy, Parliament is a sacred place

,” Gohar Ali Khan, acting PTI chief, told reporters.

“

Those who do not have the public trust and mandate should not sit here

.”

Explosive coalition

Numerous allegations of fraud marred the February 8 elections, in which Imran Khan, imprisoned since August and sentenced to heavy sentences, was not allowed to run.

Despite the repression of the authorities and their inability to campaign, independent candidates affiliated with the PTI, which had not been allowed to appear on the ballots, obtained the largest number of seats in the vote.

But, without an absolute majority and refusing any alliance, they left the field open to a coalition between the two major parties based on family dynasties which have dominated Pakistani political life for decades, the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) of Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's Pakistan People's Party (PPP), as well as other minor groups.

Under the agreement, Nawaz Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz, who had already served as head of government in 2022 and 2023, is to be elected prime minister by MPs in the coming days.

And former President Asif Ali Zardari (2008-2013), husband of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and father of Bilawal, was nominated by the PPP as a joint presidential candidate.

The PML-N and the PPP had already governed together under the orders of Shehbaz Sharif, after ousting Imran Khan from the post of Prime Minister through a motion of no confidence in April 2022.

Serious crisis

Analysts question the solidity of this vast alliance, at a time when

Pakistan

, this country of 240 million inhabitants, is facing serious political, economic and security crises.

Imran Khan claims the election was blatantly rigged at the behest of the powerful military to prevent his party from returning to power.

Read alsoPakistan: the coalition agreement provides for Shehbaz Sharif in power and Asif Ali Zardari as president

Pakistan: first session of Parliament disrupted by Imran Khan's supporters

Pakistan: first session of Parliament disrupted by Imran Khan's supporters

Explosive coalition

Serious crisis

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