Nawaz Sharif claims his victory in election

LAHORE: Nawaz Sharif declared victory for his party in landmark elections Saturday, as unofficial partial results put him on course to win a historic third term as premier.

Flanked by his close family, Sharif gave a victory speech to hundreds of jubilant supporters who shouted "prime minister Nawaz Sharif" at his party headquarters in Lahore.

"Whatever promises we made with our youth, I assure you that we fulfill each of them. Results are still coming but there is a confirmation that PML-N will emerge as the largest party," he said, inviting other parties to work with him.

According to the unofficial, partial results it appeared that no single party would win a simple majority of 172 seats in the national assembly, raising the prospect of protracted talks to form a coalition government.

Sharif struck a conciliatory tone following a high-voltage campaign that saw him clash with his main rival, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf Chief Imran Khan, whose promises of reform and ending corruption struck a chord with middle-class and youth voters.

"I appeal for all parties to come to the table and sit with me and solve the country's problems," Sharif said.

It marked the first time an elected civilian administration completed a full term and handed power to another through the ballot box in a country where there have been three military coups and four military rulers.

Earlier in the evening, both Sharif and Khan won seats they had contested in.

An election commission spokesman said turnout was more than 50 percent and expected to reach up to 60 percent, which would make it the highest since 1977.