Next Pakistani general election

Next Pakistani general election

2026
All 336 seats in the National Assembly 169 seats needed for a majority
Leader Shehbaz Sharif Gohar Ali Khan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Party PML(N) PTI PPP Last election 108 seats 94 seats 73 seats Seats needed 61 75 96
Map of Pakistan with National Assembly constituencies
Incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif PML(N)

General elections in Pakistan are mandated to occur within 60 days following the term completion of the National Assembly, which is scheduled to complete on 28 February 2025. Thus, the election must take place by 29 April 2025 in normal circumstances. If the dissolution of the assembly occurs earlier, then elections must be held within 90 days after the dissolution. In the instance if assembly is dissolved on 27 February 2025, then elections must be held by 28 May 2025 (the furthest possible date if complied with the constitution).

Background

The most recent general elections in Pakistan took place on 8 February 2024. During these elections, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML (N)) secured 108 seats, the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) secured 81 seats, and the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) secured 68 seats. This equation occurred after independents had joined various political parties and reserved seats had been allocated. On Election Day, independents won a total of 103 seats, with 93 unofficially backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). However, PTI candidates were unable to contest under the party banner due to the Election Commission of Pakistan's ruling that PTI had failed to conduct intra-party elections in accordance with the party's constitution. Subsequently, 81 members supported by PTI joined SIC after the election.

On 3 March 2024, the election for the position of prime minister occurred. Shehbaz Sharif, representing PML (N), was re-elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan for the second time, securing 201 votes compared to the 92 votes received by Omar Ayub Khan, an Independent candidate. As no single party in the assembly had a clear majority of 169 members, Sharif won with the combined support of PML (N) allies, major of them being the PPPP. Khan had backing from SIC members.

On 3 March 2024, Gohar Ali Khan was elected unopposed as the chairman of PTI, and took on the leadership role in accordance with the party's constitution. On 2 April 2024, Omar Ayub Khan was designated as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

A by-election for a combined total of 22 seats across the National Assembly and three provincial assemblies (Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) took place on 21 April 2024. PML (N) secured the most seats with 12 wins, while PPPP, SIC, and independent candidates each garnered 2 seats. Additionally, Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Awami National Party, Balochistan National Party (Mengal), and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party each claimed one victory.