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Statement by the Federal Foreign Office on the elections in Pakistan
A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (27 July 2018) on the elections in Pakistan on 25 July 2018:
Following Wednesday’s elections, Pakistan is set to experience a democratic handover of power for the second time in its history.
Millions of Pakistanis exercised their right to vote and did not allow themselves to be deterred by the brutal terror attack in Quetta. The terrorists did not achieve their aim. Our profound sympathy goes out to the families of the victims.
We share the concern expressed by the EU Election Observation Mission, for example about the curtailing of freedom of the media in the run-up to the elections. All allegations of irregularities must be investigated.
Pakistan and its new Government will face great challenges. These include improving the living conditions of all Pakistanis, tackling corruption and fostering regional stability. Germany stands ready to work closely and in a spirit of mutual trust with the new Pakistani Government and to help it overcome the challenges.
Background information:
The opposition party, PTI, led by former cricket star Imran Khan, won the largest number of seats in the National Assembly election. According to the latest official results, the PTI has won 116 seats in the National Assembly so far. The second-strongest party is the current governing party, PML-N, which will hold 64 seats in the National Assembly, as counting now stands.
Of the 342 National Assembly members, 272 are elected directly by the people for a five-year term. Sixty seats are reserved for women and ten for representatives of religious minorities.
Around 106 million Pakistanis, out of a total population of 208 million, were entitled to vote.
The election marks the second democratic handover of power in Pakistan, which was founded in 1947. An elected government completed its term in office for the first time in 2013.