Date:18/10/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/10/18/stories/2002101804411200.htm

International

Pak. parties exploring post-poll options

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD Oct. 17. A week after the general election in Pakistan, there is no sign of any party or group of parties moving towards government formation, and it appears that the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, may remain in firm command unless some dramatic developments take place.

With all the major parties exploring the possibility of post-poll adjustments to muster the required numbers in the National Assembly, the process is expected to take some more time. Today, the former President, Farooq Leghari, joined the long list of Prime Ministerial aspirants after he was formally elected leader of the pro-Musharraf National Alliance.

Rebel Muslim Leaguers and the National Alliance have already announced that they would coordinate on government formation. Gen. Musharraf, on his part, has declared that he would have no problem with any party heading the government, and promised to transfer ``executive'' powers to the Prime Minister some time in the first week of November.

Political parties have another week to get their equations right as the Election Commission has said that it was not publishing the results in the official gazette before October 20. And that under the new law, elected members' names could not figure in the gazette unless they submitted the returns of their election expenses.