No party won an outright majority in the general elections held in 2018. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Mr. Imran Khan, became the first political force with 157 seats in the 342-member National Assembly. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, came second with 84 seats. Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) led by Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari came third with 54 seats. On 17 August, the National Assembly approved a coalition government led by Mr. Khan (PTI) which was supported by small parties (see note) and independent members.

The 2018 elections were held under Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (PML-N) who had succeeded Mr. Nawaz Sharif in 2017. Mr. Sharif had stepped down in July 2017 following the Supreme Court ruling which disqualified him from holding public office over corruption charges. The key electoral issues in 2018 included anti-corruption measures and economic expansion, as well as the country’s relations with the United States. 

The elections were marked by several violent incidents and terrorist attacks. Several parties, including the PPPP and PML-N, criticized censorship of TV channels, newspapers and social media in the lead-up to the election. The PML-N also claimed that the military intervened to ensure the PTI's victory; an allegation that the PTI and the army denied. Several election observers, including those from the European Union, noted that the post election environment was marred by allegations from the majority of political parties of widespread rigging. Incoming Prime Minister Khan promised that his government would investigate the allegation of irregularities. 

Note:
They included, among others, Muttahida Quami Movement Pakistan (MQMP), Pakistan Muslim League (PML), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and the Awami Muslim League Pakistan (AMLP).