Pakistan election latest: Khan builds coalition government amid rigging allegations

Mr Khan yesterday appointed Jahangir Tareen to deal with negations among smaller parties, with Mr Tareen announcing almost immediately that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement would top up Mr Khan’s government with an additional six seats.

Last night, the results of poll had still not been announced, with ballot counters citing technical glitches as a major issue in the process.

Initial results however, gave Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party the lead with 151 seats out of 272.

Reports confirmed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which came second in the polls, would act as an opposition party.

Despite the suggestion of the polls, the EU has piled the pressure onto Mr Khan after expression concerns about the restrictions of journalists in the run-up to the election as well as irregularities in the counting process.

An EU observation mission told the Financial Times that the vote had been “overshadowed by restrictions on freedom of expression and unequal campaign opportunities”.

Michael Mahler, the bloc’s chief observer, said: “Despite positive changed to the legal framework with the new Election Act, and a stronger and more transparent election commission, we consider that the electoral process of 2018 was negatively affected by the political environment.”

Other allegations are that the Pakistan army tampered with votes after runners up the PML-N and the Pakistan People’s Party, led by Biliwal Bhutto Zardari – son of late leader Benazir Bhutto – accused military forces of expelling election agents from polling stations.

Mr Khan brushed off allegations and called his win “the most transparent and cleanest in Pakistan’s history”.

He also offered to help investigate the accusations.

Mr Khan has also promised a reform on public institutions, to improve tax collection and spend more on public services.

He said on Thursday: “Today our state is in shambles.

“But all our policies aim to help the less fortunate prosper.”

He also vowed to turn the prime minister’s residence into a place of public use and added that he would be “ashamed” to live in such a large property.