Ex-prime minister of Pakistan claims victory
ISLAMABAD — Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared victory Saturday as unofficial, partial vote counts showed his party with an overwhelming lead.
If his victory is confirmed, it would be a remarkable comeback for the 63-year-old Sharif, who has twice served as the country’s premier but was toppled in a military coup in 1999. He spent years in exile before returning to the country in 2007. His party weathered a strong campaign by former cricket star Imran Khan that energized Pakistan’s young people.
Sharif expressed a desire to work with all parties to solve the country’s problems in a victory speech given to his supporters in the eastern city of Lahore as his lead in the national election became apparent based on unofficial, partial vote counts announced by local Pakistan state TV.
Despite attacks that killed 29 people Saturday, Pakistanis turned out in large numbers to elect the national and provincial assemblies.
The high participation was a sign of Pakistanis’ desire for change after years of hardship under the outgoing government, and it offered a sharp rebuke to Taliban militants and others who have tried to derail the election with attacks that have killed more than 150 people in recent weeks.
The vote marked the first time a civilian government has completed its full five-year term and transferred power in democratic elections in a country that has experienced three coups and constant political instability since it was established in 1947.
The election is being watched closely by the U.S., which relies on the nuclear-armed country of 180 million people for help fighting Islamic militants and negotiating an end to the war in neighboring Afghanistan.
Passion and energy were seen throughout Pakistan, as millions of people headed to the polls, waving flags and chanting slogans in support of their party.
One man, Bilal Masih, even came to a polling station in the city of Multan in his wedding attire, saying his bride could wait until he voted.
“I thought that this was my national duty,” said Masih, who was wearing a white and red turban and had garlands of flowers around his neck.
The Pakistani Taliban, which has been waging a bloody insurgency against the government for years, tried to disrupt the election because the militants believe the country’s democracy runs counter to Islam. The government responded by deploying an estimated 600,000 security personnel across the country to protect polling sites and voters.
“Yes, there are fears. But what should we do?” said Ali Khan, who was waiting to vote in the city of Peshawar, where one of the blasts took place. “Either we sit in our house and let the terrorism go on, or we come out of our homes, cast our vote, and bring in a government that can solve this problem of terrorism.”