Twenty seats were up for grabs in the Punjab by-election, which was seen as a popularity test for the former international cricket star dismissed by a no-confidence vote in April.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan, during his premiership, conveyed messages to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja for holding a secret meeting, The News reported citing a source close to the latter.
Beijing has for years been chipping away at the pillars of the U.S.-led global order—subverting its foundational institutions, international norms, and liberal ideals—but Chinese President Xi Jinping had not offered a comprehensive vision of how a China-led replacement might work.