Author:
Publication: The Times of India
Date: October 12, 2002
Introduction: Although the religious
parties' impressive showing is unlikely to threaten Gen Musharraf's grip
on power, it may force him to rethink his support to the US
The Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam),
believed to be close to President Pervez Musharraf, emerged as the frontrunner
on Friday as results came in from various parts of the country in the first
general elections since the military leader came to power in a 1999 coup.
However, the President suffered
a setback as pro-Taliban Islamic parties put up their best-ever show. In
fact, exploiting the opposition to Pakistan's decision to join the US-led
war in Afghanistan, religious parties virtually swept the board in the
conservative parts of the north-west.
Although the PML (QA) has won the
largest number of seats-54, it is still less than the majority required
to form the government. The PML (QA) will have to cobble together a coalition
if it is to come to power
Meanwhile, with results for two-thirds
seats in the 342-member National Assembly coming in so far, former prime
minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is also in the
running to form the government, with 37 seats already in its kitty But
to fulfill its dream, the PPP must find partners first.
Former premier Nawaz Sharif's PML
put up a disappointing show, winning just ten seats so far.
World Cup-winning caption Imran
Khan won the lone set for his party, Tehreek-i-Insaf, by defeating his
rival by a margin of 6,000 votes in his home seat of Mianwali. It is the
first time that Imran's six-year-old party has won a seat.
However, what will worry Gen Musharraf
is the fact that independent candidates and Islamic coalition, who have
been urging the government to withdraw its support to the US, could become
the powerbrokers in the event of a multi-party federal government.
According to election officials,
the religious coalition has claimed a clear majority in the North-West
Frontier Province and is all set to join the alliance government in the
south-western Baluchistan province bordering Afghanistan.
Although the religious parties'
impressive showing is unlikely to threaten Gen Musharraf's grip on power,
it may force him to rethink his support to the US. The results indicate
significant opposition to his decision to go with the Bush administration
in its war on terror as well as his promise to stamp out Islamic extremism.
But the outcome, particularly in
the rugged tribal areas near Afghanistan, could be a serious setback to
American efforts to pursue the Taliban and Al Qaida fighters suspected
of being sheltered there.
In Washington, White House press
secretary Ari Fleischer hailed the polls. "This is an important milestone
in Pakistan's ongoing transition to democracy. We are committed to remaining
engaged with Pakistan throughout this transition process," he said.
Meanwhile, a team of Common wealth
observers on Friday said the polling had been well organised and transparent
despite the accusations of Gen Musharraf's opponents of vote rigging and
manipulation.
