Former prime minister and leader of PML-N Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that independent candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan were welcome to form a government if they can prove their majority in parliament.

“We will gladly take up the role of Opposition,” Shehbaz said while addressing the media at the PML-N’s secretariat in Model Town, Lahore.

If Imran-backed independent candidates cannot show a majority, other parties will go ahead and form a government, the ex-premier said. He said the PML-N was in talks with other groups to form a coalition.

The president of the PML-N questioned the logic behind creating a commotion and forming opinions on winning “when only 10 to 12 percent of the results were available on election night”. He highlighted the irrationality of such actions and questioned “Why did Khawaja Saad lose if there was rigging in the election?”

He pointed out the defeat of his party’s senior politicians in Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, and Abbottabad, emphasising the “absurdity” of rigging allegations and the continuous losses of senior politicians.

Shehbaz recalled the 2018 elections when the RTS system stopped working. He noted that results for urban areas were delayed by at least 66 hours, while results for rural areas were immediate. He highlighted that instead of resorting to street protests, the PML-N chose to sit in parliament and protest peacefully.

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Regarding the allegations against the Election Commission, level-playing field, and rigging, the ex-PM stated that in 2013, accusations of 35 seats were made. It was later clarified that no such incident occurred. He highlighted their focus was on serving the nation within the constitutional framework, “rejecting the narratives of setting parliament on fire or engaging in civil disobedience.”

Discussing major events during Imran’s government, Shehbaz touched upon the denial of discussing Kashmir Day, the Indian Air Force attack, and the handling of the Covid situation.

He expressed how the PML-N endured these challenges with tolerance, and avoided confrontation and provocation. Criticizing the PTI founder’s actions, the PML-N president mentioned the extreme measures taken to avoid contact with the Opposition.

“For four years, the prime minister entered parliament through the back door so that he wouldn’t have to shake hands with the opposition; it was extreme fascism,” Shehbaz said.

Referring to the united opposition’s decision on a vote of no confidence in 2022, the former premier highlighted the unconstitutional actions taken by the president and others. Terming President Alvi’s dissolution of the National Assembly as “a terrible past”, Shehbaz said, “We must unite to handle all of this”.

“In 16 months, we saved the state. The PTI government would have otherwise led the country to default.”

Despite the “violent past”, he highlighted the need for unity to overcome the challenges and save the state.

In a meeting with newly elected members, including Rana Fayyaz from PP-49 Sialkot and Wasim Qadir from NA-121 Lahore, Shahbaz welcomed them into the PML-N. He expressed gratitude for joining the party and highlighted the need for unity, consensus, and national cooperation to face the challenges ahead and make Pakistan prosperous.

Additional input from Reuters.