RAWALPINDI: Former prime minister Imran Khan claimed victory in the country’s general election in an audio-visual message created using artificial intelligence and shared on his X social media account.

In the message, which is usually delivered by word through his lawyers, Khan rejected rival Nawaz Sharif’s earlier claim to victory. Khan called on his supporters to celebrate a win that was achieved despite what he calls a crackdown on his party. Independent candidates backed by Khan won the most seats in Thursday’s national election, despite him being in jail and his party barred from the polls.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, also a declared contender for the slot, has expressed the hope that many independents will join his party. Mr Bhutto-Zardari had previously also ruled out the formation of a coalition government with the PML-N.

Hectic political activity is expected over the next few days, with chances that the independents will be approac­hed by the two parties and offered a share in government. Experts believe that besides ministerial portfolios, they may be offered chairmanships of various standing committees and appointments as parliamentary secretaries — both offices which come with several perks and privileges attached.

Besides a test of the independents’ loyalties, this will also be a test of Barrister Gohar Ali’s leadership, and many will be keeping a close eye to see if he is capable of commanding his brigade.

Under Rule 92(6) of the election rules, independent candidates will have three days following the notification of their victory to join a party. Another option that will be available to them is they may be able to form a group with any name they like.

If they stay united and choose to sit in the opposition, they will be in a comfortable position to clinch the office of opposition leader in the National Assembly.

Rule 92 (6) also reads, “For the purpose of this rule, the expression ‘total number of general seats won by political party’ shall include the independent returned candidate or candidates who may duly join such political party within three days of the publication in the official Gazette of the names of the returned candidates.”

A proviso to the rule reads, “Provided that if the independent candidate applies to the leader of a political party for joining his party, then the leader of that political party will forthwith inform the [Election] Commission of joining of such candidate through a letter to be delivered to the Commission along with the consent of that candidate duly attested by a Notary appointed under the Notaries Ordinance, 1961 (XIX of 1961) or an Oath Commissioner appointed under the Oaths Act, 1873 (X of 1873) or a Government servant in basic pay scale 17 and above: Provided that the consent of the independent candidate so delivered to the Commission shall, in no circumstances, be open to recall or cancellation.”