ALLIES of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan won more seats in last week’s parliamentary elections than the parties that ousted him from power nearly two years ago, according to final results published today.

Thursday’s vote was overshadowed by claims of vote-rigging and the exclusion of Mr Khan and his Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) from the ballot.

Members had to stand as independents as the Election Commission and Supreme Court curbed PTI participation.

Mr Khan, who was removed office by a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022, has been in prison since August. He contends that his sentences and the swathe of legal cases against him are politically motivated.

The final tally showed that independent candidates had secured 101 out of the 266 lower house seats.

The Muslim League-N (PML-N) of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif — Pakistan’s powerful military’s choice — secured 75 seats and the People’s Party (PPP) came third with 54.

The PML-N and the PPP led campaign to end Mr Khan’s premiership.

No party has won a majority, so the next government will be a coalition. The new parliament chooses the country’s next prime minister.