Nawaz Sharif set for third term as Pakistan PM

Trends for the 272 parliamentary seats that went to polls Saturday showed that the PML(N) was set to bag between 110 and 130 seats. Sharif needs 137 seats for a majority. Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) was expected to get 32 to 33 seats. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) — which had a tally of 124 in the 2008 elections and ruled for five years with the support of the MQM and the Awami National Party — is likely to get 25 to 31 seats. The MQM could get 15 seats,the Independents between 21 and 25. Related: Experts see a Pak regime conducive for developing ties

Senior PML(N) leader and former foreign minister Sartaj Aziz told the media that Sharif was in “talks with some Independent MPs to get them on board and in discussions to work out a few key portfolios in the cabinet”.

In his victory speech,Sharif had asked his supporters to pray that the Pakistan Muslim League (N) was able to form the government “without crutches”. The results seemed to be an answer to his prayers. Opinion: An extraordinary election

The numbers may vary once the Election Commission issues the official results,which are expected only after the commission resolves complaints of rigging and electoral malpractices. Allegations have surfaced,especially regarding two prestigious constituencies in Lahore. In one of these constituencies,Imran Khan was pitted against a PML(N) leader,and the PTI leader on Sunday talked about poll rigging from his hospital bed.

Rigging,booth capture and other malpractices have also been reported from Sindh.

The May 11 polls witnessed contests for 272 seats of the National Assembly. There are 70 more seats,reserved for women and minorities,and these seats will be filled in accordance with the performance of the political parties in the 272 directly elected constituencies.

Sharif faces the mammoth task of fixing Pakistan’s shattered economy,addressing unemployment,tackling the long power cuts and curbing the rampant violence unleashed by terror groups. Though the US led “war on terror”,especially the drone attacks,was a poll issue,these elections were primarily fought on economy,unemployment,electricity shortage and other bread and butter matters.

Known for advocating economic liberalisation,Sharif has a strong base among the business community and it is clear that he will push for reforms and privatisation. Though Sharif talked about Pakistan needing to “stand on its own feet” and to resolve this “mess”,his close aides admit that the country will need to approach the International Monetary Fund for an immediate bailout.

While his better-than-expected performance will help Sharif in bargaining with smaller parties and Independents for support,it is a double-edged sword — it has already raised the expectations of people,who want an immediate remedy,especially to the economic and energy crisis.

At a dhaba near Lahore’s historic Laxmi chowk,a group of daily wage labourers talked about rising prices and the long power cuts. “We get Rs 350- 400 a day for work and check how much a cup of tea costs here!” said Mohammad Sabir,who has come from Sargodha to Lahore for work. “It wasn’t this way even six-seven years ago. We were able to at least live hand to mouth.”

While Punjab and Lahore are relatively peaceful,Sharif’s challenge would be tackling terrorism in provinces where his party doesn’t have a strong base. Sharif has been advocating negotiations rather than a military option,especially with the Pakistani Taliban. Whether his government is able to weave a consensus on such a strategy in view of the continued attacks by the group is not clear as yet,but it is evident that such a policy shift will be resisted by a big section of the security establishment.

New Delhi,however,will be delighted,both at the elections and on Sharif becoming prime minister — for a record third time — with numbers on his side. There appears to be a consensus among all major political parties in the new National Assembly on stabilisation of relations with India. Sharif will thus not receive any major opposition if he talks peace with India.

‘Separate Karachi,if you dislike mandate’

LAHORE: Reacting to allegations of rigging and violence levelled against Muttahida Quami Movement that has won 17 seats in Karachi,MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday told the Pakistan “establishment”: “Separate Karachi if you dislike its people’s mandate.” Hussain addressed his supporters through telephone from London where he is living in exile since 1992. “If you don’t stop playing with fire,it would burn down the entire Pakistan,” he said. Hussain was quick to add that he was not issuing a threat. “If MQM carried out rigging (in Karachi) then what made the tsunami disappear in Punjab. The nations which are put against the wall usually choose to build their separate home (land),” he said. ENS