Polls in Pakistan: Several Political Stalwarts Fall
‘Pakistan Times’ Election-2008 Cell

ISLAMABAD: With PML-N and PPP – by and large – surfacing victorious in several constituencies – the Election-2008 has taken a number of political stalwarts – to rest amid defeat in their own strongholds.

Among others – they include PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein, Speaker National Assembly Ch. Amir Hussain, former federal ministers Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, KM Kasuri, Sher Afgan Niazi, Hamid Nasir Chathha, Ejaz-ul-Haq, Humayun Akhter, Rao Sikander Iqbal, Wasi Zafar and Liaquat Ali Jatoi.

However, Ch. Pervaiz Elahi of PML-Q has won in one of the two constituencies – from where he had contested.

Reports say that former federal minister and former PPP Secretary General Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar defeated the former ruling PM-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein with a wide margin of at least 13293 votes.

Two other candidates Alhaaj Mirza Saeed Baig and Chaudhry Gul Nawaz were also contesting from the same constituency, but they could not pocket any vote.

Another personality charisma was defeated in Rawalpindi, where Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) defeated Sheikh Rashid.

Former National Assembly speaker, Chaudhry Amir Hussain face defeat against Dr. Firdaus Awan while Dr. Sher Afgan Niazi and Khursheed Mehmodd Kasoori also missed the majority in their respective constituencies.

Details

Unofficial results of the general elections 2008 show that Pakistan Muslim League (N) was set to emerge as the major political party as there were major set backs in the elections with PML (Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain having lost in home town in both the constituencies.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmad also lost on both the seats in Rawalpindi.

However, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has won one of the two constituencies from which he had contested.

Many other major upsets were witnessed on Monday night results as Speaker National Assembly Ch Amir Hussain was defeated by Firdaus Ashaq Awan, former federal minister Sher Afgan Khan Niazi, Hamid Nasir Chattha, former federal defence minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, ex-minister Malik Amin Aslam, Danial Aziz and Maulana Fazl ur Rehman (DI Khan constituency) former foreign minister Khurshid Mehmud Kasuri, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar, former ministers Humayun Akhtar, Wasi Zafar, Ejaz ul Haq, Ch Shahbaz and Liaquat Ali Jatoi also suffered defeat.

In Islamabad two constituencies NA-48 and NA-49, PML-N candidates Anjam Aqeel and Dr Tariq Chaudhry won by defeating Dr Asrar Shah of PPPP and Syed Nayyar Bukhari respectively. PML-Q candidate Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar also lost.

In Rawalpindi Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ch Nisar Ali, Hanif Abbasi, Malik Abrar, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Raja Pervaz Ashraf easily defeated their opponents. Ch Ahmad Mukhtar from Gujrat, Asfandyar Wali, Sardar Assef Ahmad Ali, PPPP central leader Amin Fahim and former NWFP chief minister Akram khan Durrani won the elections.

According to MQM, Muttahida Qaumi Movement has clinched 13 National Assembly seats out of 20. Khush Bakhat Shujat has reached the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, ruling party conceded that opposition parties were doing well in Monday’s parliamentary elections after unofficial returns showed two of its top leaders had lost their seats.

“People have given their verdict. We respect it. We congratulate the PML-N and PPP. They have done well,” said PML-Q spokesman Tariq Azeem, referring to the opposition parties of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and another and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

“As far as we are concerned, we will be willing to sit on opposition benches if final results prove that we have lost. This is the trend.”

National turnout was estimated at 40 percent of Pakistan’s 81 million eligible voters, a senior electoral official said. The figure was 42 percent in the last elections in 2002 and 37 percent in 1997.

PML-Q Reax

Meanwhile, Central leader of PML-Q, Choudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that his party will accept polling results gracefully.

In a telephonic interview, former Punjab Chief Minister said that poll results point to mass judgment and his party will level no accusations of poll rigging.
He said that PML-Q had been saying from the outset that election would not be rigged.

Elahi said he was willing to assume the role of opposition party. “President Musharraf is still our President and we have chosen him for a five year term” he added.

Elahi said he was positive that PML-Q would get votes considering its five years performance, however poll results would be accepted gracefully.

Recap

As reported by ‘Pakistan Times’ [Daily Web Newspaper] in its earlier edition – the polling process for Election-2008 remained across Pakistan – by and large marked by peace – yet coupled by reports of violence in certain vicinities.

The polling started on 8:00 a.m and ended without any break until 5.00 p.m.
The turnout of voters increased gradually at noon as compared to the morning and voters are showing enthusiasm for casting vote to their favorite candidates.

Process progressed peacefully and security arrangements on poll day are quite satisfactory, an elderly person standing in queue said.

Contingents of Police and Rangers had been deployed at the polling stations to deal with any law and order situation, besides army will remain stand-by for their help.

To recap the perspective of polls in Pakistan – as has by now been reported by ‘Pakistan Times’ [Daily Web Newspaper] in its earlier editions – Click Here;

http://www.pakistantimes.net/2008/02/19/top.htm●