Sharif Claims Victory in Pakistan Elections

{{Pakistan’s Nawaz Sharif has declared victory in the country’s general elections as preliminary results showed a clear lead for his party, making it almost certain that he will become prime minister for a third time.}}

Turnout in Saturday’s vote was nearly 60 percent, the election commission said, which according to official statistics is the highest since 1977.

The election will bring the first transition between civilian governments in a country that has been ruled by the military for more than half of its turbulent history.

Sharif, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), thanked his supporters as he addressed a crowd of about 300 people at his campaign headquarters in Lahore.

“Through this vote and campaign I have felt how much love Pakistan has for me. And I have twice as much love for you,” he told his supporters.

“Thank God that he has given us the chance to help you, to help Pakistan, to help the young people. We will fulfil all the promises that we have made.”

{Agencies}