In Pics: Jubilant PTI supporters throng streets as Imran Khan set to become next Pakistan PM
Hundreds of PTI supporters parked their vehicles in the middle of roads, played loud music and danced through the streets in several cities, including the capital Islamabad.
Amid allegations of military bias and election rigging, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's PTI is set to oust PML-N in what will be only the second civilian transfer of power in the Islamic nation's history.
The PML-N called the delayed result an assault on democracy as it warned of protest against what it said "blatant" rigging of the election process. PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif in Lahore outrightly rejected the results, even though the vote count was under way. Sharif warned his party would launch protests against the alleged rigging. He did not say who he believes could have rigged the polls, but allegations of manipulating the elections have been made against the country's powerful military.
The Election Commission of Pakistan rejected the allegations saying it did "our job right."
Analysts predicted tumultuous weeks ahead for Pakistan as a strong opposition to the election results was building up.
As per the latest trends, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf is leading on 113 National Assembly seats, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) trailing behind with lead on 64 seats. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has leads on 43 seats. A party can form the government if it manages to clinch 172 seats out of the total 342. A single party will need at least 137 of the 272 directly-elected seats to be able to form the government on its own.
While the final results are yet to be announced, the Imran Khan-led PTI has already claimed victory.
Supporters of Pakistans Imran Khan celebrate during general election in Lahore on July 25, 2018. Vote-counting was ongoing on July 25 in a knife-edge Pakistan general election as former cricket hero Imran Khan sought power on a day marred by a bloody suicide bombing and claims of military interference. (Photo Credit: AFP)
Sensing victory, hundreds of PTI supporters came out on streets in jubilation in cities across Pakistan. (Photo Credit:AFP)
Pakistani election officials count ballots papers after polls closed at a polling station in Karachi (Photo Credit: AFP)
PTI supporters parked their vehicles in the middle of roads, played loud music and danced through the streets in capital Islamabad. (Photo Credit: AFP)
PTI supporters take out victory march on Islamabad streets as early trends show win for the Imran Khan-led party (Photo Credit: AFP)
Imran Khan's supporters cheer as they take to the street to celebrate after polls closed during Pakistans general election, in Lahore (Photo Credit: AFP)
"We have got our Naya Pakistan," Shahid Ali, one of the supporters, said as he danced euphorically near the busy Faizabad interchange, which links Islamabad with the garrison city of Rawalpindi. (Photo Credit: Reuters)
The wild celebrations led to traffic jams at many places. The victory claim and joy in the PTI camp appeared premature in the wake of rigging allegations.