PTI seeks new allies to form government after rejecting PPP, PML-N

In its bid to form a government at the center and in provinces, Pakistan Tehreeke-e-Insaf (PTI) is actively pursuing several options. One key challenge involves forming an alliance or merging with another party to gain access to reserved seats.

In a recent interview with a private TV channel, PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan ruled out any alliance with either the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) or Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N).

“We don’t feel comfortable with both of them. There will be no talks with anyone to make a government or to make a government together with them. It is better to sit in the opposition than to make a government [with them], but we think we have the majority,” he maintained 

He further stated that if the chances of forming a central government fade, the PTI will serve as a robust opposition in parliament.

The PTI's inability to benefit from reserved seats can pose a significant challenge to form a government.

While PTI won the most directly elected seats, their independent candidates can't claim reserved seats for women and minorities, which are allocated based on party lists submitted before elections.

To form governments at the center and in provinces, joining or forming a parliamentary party is crucial for PTI to access reserved seats, allocated based on final party strength. 

Having ruled out alliances with PML-N and PPP, Imran Khan-led party might explore collaborating with the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), currently holding three seats in the KP assembly. Both parties previously governed together in the coalition government of KP in 2013.

PTI's potential alliance with Majils-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), its long-standing supporter, appears unlikely as MWM hasn’t submitted a list of minority and women, suggesting they cannot access reserved seats. This weakens their chance as an alliance partner for PTI in forming a government.