ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Co-Chairman of
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari said Tuesday contacts were under
way with all parties, primarily with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), on
the formation of a coalition government.
Addressing a news conference at the Zardari House in
Islamabad, Zardari said PPP would join hands with democratic forces. He said
dialogue with all parties would be in the interest of strengthening democracy in
the country.
Asif Ali Zardari, widower of slain
opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, casts his ballot inside a polling
station in Nawabshah, 320 km (200 miles) from Karachi, Feb. 18,
2008. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
Zardari said the party after forming a government
would immediately seek UN investigation into the Dec. 27 assassination of
Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Paying homage to his slain wife and party
chairperson, Zardari said she gave her life for the cause of democracy and "we
believe democracy is the best revenge."
The official Associated Press of Pakistan (APP)
quoted Zardari as saying that people rejected Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid
because of failed policies of its patron and now many in that party were
realizing that their defeat was due to that factor.
Winning candidates of slain leader
Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party lay a shawl at her grave a day
after general elections in Garhi Khuda Bukhsh February 19, 2008.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
Zardari
alleged there had been selective rigging in Monday's parliamentary polls.
He said 27 workers of PPP were "martyred" and an
equal number were kidnapped while 300 were injured by rivals.
Zardari said the question of restoration of
pre-emergency judiciary should be left to the incoming parliament.
Zardari said PPP stood for combating terrorism but at
the same time it also believed in the method dialogue to achieve the objective.
Zardari confirmed phone conversation with the leader
of PML-N Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday and said he would meet him on Wednesday.
To a question about working with President Pervez
Musharraf, Zardari said it would be decided in the parliament.
Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf
talks to the U.S. Senators John Kerry (2nd L), Joseph Biden and Chuck
Hagel (L) in Islamabad Feb. 19, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Pervez
Musharraf Tuesday said he hoped the new post-election scenario would move in a
positive direction and the new government would work in a harmonious manner with
all the stakeholders.
Talking to a delegation of U.S. Senators Joseph Biden,
John Kerry and Chuck Hagel, here at the President's House, Musharraf said that
his unswerving commitment to democracy was once again vindicated by holding of
free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections in the country. Full story
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Tuesday that whoever wins Pakistan's parliamentary vote should work with President Pervez Musharraf and other political parties.
"We certainly would hope that whoever becomes prime minister, and whoever winds up in charge of the new government, would be able to work with him (Musharraf) and to work with all other factions," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said. Full story
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Former Pakistani prime
minister and leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif said
Tuesday that his party would hold a parliamentary party meeting on Thursday.
Speaking at a news briefing in Lahore, capital city of
Punjab province, Sharif said he would also meet Asif Zardari, Co-Chairmanof
People's Party (PPP) after the parliamentary party meeting. Full story
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Latest incomplete results
of Pakistan's elections on Tuesday show that Pakistan People's Party (PPP) takes
the lead by winning 77 out of the 228 National Assembly seats, which have gone
to candidates.
So far 228 out of 269 NA seats have been announced, local
TV channel Geo reported, adding that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was
the runner-up with 62 seats and former ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid
gained 34 seats. Full story
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States said
Tuesday that it will continue to work with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf
and whoever wins Pakistan's parliamentary election.
"We are going to continue our work with President
Musharraf and whatever that new government may be on goals of our national
interests," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. Full story
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Initial unofficial results
of Pakistan's general elections show that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
is leading while the counting of votes is still continuing on Tuesday.
As of the filing of this story, PML-N, led by former
prime minister Nawaz Sharif, has already won 54 seats in National Assembly (NA),
followed by Pakistan People's Party which won 52 NA seats, local TV channel Geo
reported. Full story
