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Musharraf Opposition Seek to Build Alliance

Parties of Bhutto, Sharif look to each other, smaller partners

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 20, 2008 2:09 PM CST
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(Newser) – The party of fallen Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto is moving toward an alliance with longtime rival Nawaz Sharif after a strong showing in Monday's parliamentary election, Reuters reports. A coalition of the two parties, along with smaller independents, could control enough of the legislature to oust President Pervez Musharraf, a mutual foe, but bad blood could yet sink the deal.

Musharraf, whose recent unpopularity doomed his allies to grave losses, is already looking for a place in Pakistan's new politics. Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party has rejected advances from Musharraf's camp, but may have to compromise if negotiations with Sharif’s Muslim League falter. The US applauded the mostly peaceful elections, and urged any new government to work with longtime ally Musharraf.

In this photo released by Press Information Department, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf casts his vote at a polling station in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Musharraf promised Monday to work with the new government regardless of which party wins the parliamentary elections. (AP Photo/Press Information Department, HO)
In this photo released by Press Information Department, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf casts his vote at a polling station in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Musharraf promised Monday...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan People's Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, widow of slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, delivers a speech during a meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008. With the vote count nearly complete Wednesday, the opposition parties of two ex-prime ministers, the slain Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, have won...
Pakistan People's Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, widow of slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, delivers a speech during a meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008. With the vote count...   (Associated Press)
U.S. senator Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., left, looks on as Pakistani women vote, during his visit to a polling station in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Vote counting got under way Monday after a lackluster turnout in Pakistan's parliamentary elections, which passed off relatively peacefully despite fears of sabotage...
U.S. senator Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., left, looks on as Pakistani women vote, during his visit to a polling station in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Vote counting got under way Monday after a lackluster...   (Associated Press)
Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party dance to celebrate the unofficial results of their leader in Lahore, Pakistan on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party dance to celebrate the unofficial results of their leader in Lahore, Pakistan on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)   (Associated Press)
Pakistani electoral workers count ballots during the country's parliamentary election at a polling station in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Pakistani electoral workers count ballots during the country's parliamentary election at a polling station in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)   (Associated Press)
Pakistani polling staff count ballots during the country's parliamentary election at a polling station in Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Vote counting got under way Monday after a lackluster turnout in Pakistan's parliamentary elections, which passed off relatively peacefully despite fears of sabotage by Islamic militants. (AP Photo/Emilio...
Pakistani polling staff count ballots during the country's parliamentary election at a polling station in Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Vote counting got under way Monday after a lackluster...   (Associated Press)
A Pakistani woman casts her vote in the parliamentary elections at a mountainside polling station early Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, in the village of Ghora Gali, 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in an election shadowed by fears of violence and...
A Pakistani woman casts her vote in the parliamentary elections at a mountainside polling station early Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, in the village of Ghora Gali, 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of Islamabad,...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani men register with fingerprints to cast a vote in the parliamentary elections at a mountainside polling station early Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, in the village of Ghora Gali, 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistanis voted Monday for a new parliament in an election shadowed by fears...
Pakistani men register with fingerprints to cast a vote in the parliamentary elections at a mountainside polling station early Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, in the village of Ghora Gali, 25 kilometers (15 miles)...   (Associated Press)
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President Bush's response to Musharraf defeat
Associated Press

 
Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • Nawaz Sharif • Pakistan People's Party • Pakistan Muslim League • Pakistan elections • Asif Ali Zardari • Awami National Party

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