Khan has drawn thousands to rallies since being ousted, providing lengthy speeches claiming that the government had been imposed on Pakistan by an United States-led conspiracy.
He also blames the current government for soaring inflation, although most analysts concur that Sharif inherited the country’s financial woes – which were given some reduction last week by an agreement with the International Financial Fund (IMF) in order to resume a rescue package.
Pakistan newspapers suggested that this Punjab result was a consequence of the economic hardships currently felt by the country, that is spending nearly fifty percent its income to service dire international debt.
To meet IMF conditions for a resumption of an US$7. 2 billion help package, Sharif had to remove subsidies upon fuel – efficiently raising prices by more than 50 % in less than two months.
“A bitter flavor of unpopular choices, ” read a headline in the influential Dawn newspaper over the front-page analysis.
The Punjab assembly vote was called after the election percentage disqualified 20 associates of the PTI intended for switching party loyalties.
The result means the likely end of a short reign as Punjab main minister by Hamza Sharif, the prime minister’s son.