Pakistan awaits new coalition government amid uncertainties
Updated: 2008-02-20 22:08
ISLAMABAD - The newly winning Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is seeking the formation of a new coalition government after it won the general elections on Wednesday, but the post-election scenario remains misty.
 Asif Ali Zardari, widower of the late former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, speaks during a Pakistan People Party meeting in Islamabad February 20, 2008. [Agencies]
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According to unofficial results for the 267 seats in the National Assembly, the PPP won 88, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, secured 65 and the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) is on the third position with 42. Other parties and independents shared the remaining 72.
The official election results will be released on March 1, local TV reported on Wednesday.
The PPP won most seats partly attributable to the sympathy votes for the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007. The largest party in Pakistan now needs coalition partners to form a new government.
In the coming days, the parties will conduct intense negotiations in a reconciliatory manner.
The PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said Tuesday that he was contacting with all parties, primarily with PML-N, on the formation of a coalition government. Zardari will hold meeting with Sharif on Thursday in Islamabad. Meanwhile, Zardari met with a top aid of President Prevez Musharraf.
If the PPP joins hands with Sharif's party, they will bring great challenges to Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup.
Bhutto's widower Zardari and Sharif both on Tuesday urged Musharraf to step down since the PML-Q was defeated in the elections. But Musharraf has dismissed the possibility of resignation.
"Not only we, but the whole nation is reminding Pervez Musharraf to resign," said Zardari at a news conference. "The PML- Q has lost. Now we'll take this demand of resignation to the Parliament."
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