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Bhutto Loyalist Frontrunner to Be Pakistan PM

Musharraf's party concedes defeat after drubbing at ballot box

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2008 4:31 AM CST
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(Newser) – President Pervez Musharraf's party has admitted defeat after losing a resounding two-thirds of its seats in parliament in Pakistan's parliamentary elections. Although final results are still not in, Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party and Nawaz Sharif's Muslim League have crushed the president's faction, which placed a distant third. The likely next prime minister is Makhdoom Amin Fahim, 68, a Bhutto loyalist and People's Party vice chairman, reports the Times of London.

A coalition of the two main opposition parties should be forged in the coming days. One key issue is whether the new government will attempt to impeach Musharraf. Sharif and several top People's Party figures have said they want to throw out the president, while Bhutto's widower Asif Ali Zardari has said he could work with him. As for Musharraf, he promised yesterday to work with the new government "in a totally harmonious manner."

Supporters of the party of Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif celebrate the unofficial results for Pakistan's general elections in the street of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence and questions about the political survival...
Supporters of the party of Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif celebrate the unofficial results for Pakistan's general elections in the street of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 18, 2008....   (Associated Press)
Supporters of the party of Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif dance as they celebrate the primary unofficial results for Pakistan's general elections in the street of Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence and questions...
Supporters of the party of Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif dance as they celebrate the primary unofficial results for Pakistan's general elections in the street of Lahore, Pakistan, on...   (Associated Press)
A Pakistani woman, shows her inked thumb to an election worker at a polling station in the village of Sabu Rahu, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in an election shadowed by fears of violence and questions about the political survival of President Pervez...
A Pakistani woman, shows her inked thumb to an election worker at a polling station in the village of Sabu Rahu, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in an election...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani electoral workers count ballots during the country's parliamentary election at a polling station in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections shadowed by fears of violence and questions about the political survival of President Pervez Musharraf, America's key ally in the...
Pakistani electoral workers count ballots during the country's parliamentary election at a polling station in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in elections...   (Associated Press)
Makhdoom Amin Fahim, right, Vice chairman of Benazir Bhutto's party, leaves Parliament with Aitzaz Ahsan, left, as his party announces they are boycotting the presidential elections in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, Oct 6, 2007. Lawmakers were voting Saturday in a presidential election that Pakistan's military ruler is expected to sweep, although...
Makhdoom Amin Fahim, right, Vice chairman of Benazir Bhutto's party, leaves Parliament with Aitzaz Ahsan, left, as his party announces they are boycotting the presidential elections in Islamabad, Pakistan,...   (Associated Press)
Amin Fahim, Presidential candidate of Benazir Bhutto's party who is contesting against Pakistan's military ruler President Pervez Musharraf, leaves the Parliament as his party boycott the elections in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, Oct 6, 2007. Lawmakers were voting Saturday in a presidential election that Pakistan's military ruler is expected to sweep,...
Amin Fahim, Presidential candidate of Benazir Bhutto's party who is contesting against Pakistan's military ruler President Pervez Musharraf, leaves the Parliament as his party boycott the elections in...   (Associated Press)
Sen. Babar Awan, right, helps former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party candidate Makhdoom Amin Fahim sign nomination papers for the presidential elections in Islamabad, Pakistan on Thursday, Spet 27, 2007. Pakistan's military ruler President Pervez Musharraf formalized his candidacy for a new five-year term Thursday as security forces...
Sen. Babar Awan, right, helps former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party candidate Makhdoom Amin Fahim sign nomination papers for the presidential elections in Islamabad, Pakistan...   (Associated Press)
A Pakistani walks pasts a billboard showing the portrait of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, displayed along the road side in Rawalpindi, Pakistan Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. Opposition parties dealt a crushing electoral blow to allies of President Pervez Musharraf, a private TV network reported Tuesday, winning enough seats to...
A Pakistani walks pasts a billboard showing the portrait of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, displayed along the road side in Rawalpindi, Pakistan Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. Opposition parties dealt...   (Associated Press)
A Pakistani journalist sits in front a huge monitor showing the results of parliamentary election at the headquarters of election commission in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. Opposition parties dealt a crushing electoral blow to allies of President Pervez Musharraf, a private TV network reported Tuesday, winning enough...
A Pakistani journalist sits in front a huge monitor showing the results of parliamentary election at the headquarters of election commission in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. Opposition...   (Associated Press)
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Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • Nawaz Sharif • Pakistan People's Party • Pakistan Muslim League • Pakistan elections • Asif Ali Zardari • Makhdoom Amin Fahim

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