LAHORE: Despite rejecting the results of July 25 polls, all the major political parties of Pakistan have decided to be a part of the parliament, choosing to form an alliance to give a “tough time” to the PTI government-in-waiting.

Mainstream political parties with a smaller number of elected members in the National Assembly than the PTI, namely the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N), have rejected the suggestion by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of a religio-political parties’ alliance, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), to boycott the oath-taking ceremony of the new prime minister and launch an aggressive mass campaign against the poll results.
According to the results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the PTI won 116 National Assembly seats out of 270. The election on two remaining seats will be held later as the total number of constituencies is 272. The former ruling party, the PML-N, could win 64 seats while the PPP could bag only 43.
Similarly, the MMA secured 12 seats, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid e Azam (PML-Q) won four, the Balochistan National Party (BNP) has three, Mutahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has six, and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) bagged four seats in the Lower House.
The Awami National Party (ANP) won just a single seat, and the Awami Muslim League (AML), Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaniyat, and Jamhoori Wattan Party (JWP) also won a seat each. In addition, the number of successful independent candidates is 14, which can play an important role in the formation of the government.
These numbers give an edge to the PTI, but not the two-thirds majority to form a government on its own, and it is forced to knock on the doors of others to install itself in the government. While the PML-Q and independent candidates have pledged support to PTI, the MQM is still mulling over the option. The BAP has also announced it will support the PTI to form a government in the center.
“The results of the 2018 elections in Pakistan have proved all speculations that the country will have a hung parliament,” political analyst Salim Bokhari told Arab News.
The MMA chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman called an all-parties conference in Islamabad and, on its conclusion, announced it would not boycott the parliament by not taking oath. The PML-N, however, sought another day to announce its strategy.
The other considerable political forces, the PML-N, PPP, PkAMP, ANP and others, also voted in favor of being part of the parliament and playing an effective role as an opposition in the House.
After the meeting, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and PPP stalwart Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani told the media: “It is decided that parliament is the best forum for opposition and we will play the role of a strong opposition inside and outside the parliament.
“Joint strategy will be devised for both the houses — the Senate and the National Assembly.” 
His words were endorsed by the PML-N Chairman Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, who alleged that the ECP had failed in its responsibility to hold free and fair elections.
“The PPP believes in the political process and will not boycott the National Assembly. Its members will take oath and play the role of the opposition,” PPP central leader Chaudhry Manzur told Arab News.
The PTI is, however, very optimistic about winning the majority in the National Assembly number game and forming the government.
“We have contacted small parties and independent members. They will soon meet our party leaders in Islamabad,” PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said.
“We expect that Imran Khan will take the oath as prime minister before Aug. 14,” another PTI leader close to Imran Khan, Naeem ul Haq, told the media.