Musharraf’s men routed, Pak looks to PPP, Sharif

Bhutto’s husband Asif Ali Zardari, the PPP is emerging as the single largest party with 87 seats while the PML-N has 66 in its kitty so far and the PML-Q is a distant third with only 38 — President Musharraf told a group of US Senators that he would respect the power of the new Prime Minister and hoped the next government would work in a “harmonious manner with all stakeholders”. He said the “post-election scenario had unfolded new political dynamics which hopefully would move in a positive direction”.

PPP’s Zardari told a news conference in Islamabad that his party would try to form a coalition with Opposition groups. “We will form a government of national consensus which will take along every democratic force,” he said. Asked if he would include members of the defeated PML-Q, Zardari said: “We are not interested in any of those people who are part and parcel of the previous government.”

In Lahore, Sharif, who plans to meet Zardari in a day or two, asked Musharraf to step down.

“The people have given their verdict. Musharraf either does not understand their wishes or may be his eyes are closed. He has said he will leave when the people want him to leave. The people have said today what they want… All democratic forces must now sit together and reinstate the judges to restore democracy. I am looking forward to working with all democratic forces. I invite all to sit together and free Pakistan of dictatorship, sit together to say goodbye to dictatorship forever,” Sharif said.

But hours later, Musharraf’s spokesperson dismissed calls for the resignation of the President. “They are way off in their demands,” said Presidential spokesman Major General Rashid Qureshi, adding, “this is not an election for the President. President Musharraf is already elected for five years.”

Reacting to the verdict, the United States said that Pakistan’s election was a step towards the full restoration of democracy and urged all parties to accept the results and work together. “It is certainly clear that Pakistan has taken a step towards the full restoration of democracy. This is something we wanted to see happen,” said State Department spokesman Tom Casey.

Popular resentment against the PML-Q’s governance led to the defeat of the ‘King’s party’ heavyweights, including former Prime Minister and party chief Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Musharraf’s spokesperson Sheikh Rashid. In all, 23 Cabinet minister had to bite the dust. Even Parvez Elahi, the PML-Q’s PM-hopeful, was defeated from two seats, but managed a win in the third.

“We officially concede defeat, we accept the verdict of the nation. This is the basic spirit of democracy,” said PML-Q spokesperson Tariq Azeem.

With none of the parties emerging a clear winner to form a government, the PPP and PML-N, if they do form a coalition, will make for a simple majority in Pakistan’s parliament, the National Assembly. But the Independents, the fourth largest group, as well as smaller parties like MQM and ANP are likely to play crucial roles. The PPP swept the Sindh province, barring MQM-stronghold Karachi, and hardline Islamic parties were voted out in the troubled North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan, giving way to moderates.

One of the interesting developments to watch out for is the Prime Minister’s slot which, as of now, is up for grabs. Makhdoom Amin Fahim, a longtime PPP leader and a Bhutto loyalist who steered the party during Benazir’s exile, is one of the strong contenders for the post and has already found a backer in PPP’s detained leader Aitzaz Ahsan. But Zardari today indicated the issue was wide open. “The leader of the House will be decided after consultations.”

Sharif is expected to play a role in the Prime Ministerial choice as well, besides government formation, since his party has emerged the leader in Punjab which has over half of the NA seats. The PML-N is expected to form a provincial government in Punjab as well.