The Hindu : Pak. coalition heading for majority?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2003

International

International

Pak. coalition heading for majority?

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD FEB. 25. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q (nicknamed as the King's party) and its allies appeared headed for a majority in the Senate as the four provincial Assemblies elected 80 members of the 100-seat Senate on Monday.

Bagging 44 seats so far, the ruling coalition is likely to get the vital majority with the support of at least four independents elected on Monday and the election for 12 more seats fixed for Thursday.

While affiliation of some smaller groups in Balochistan was not immediately clear, the Opposition parties together have won about 40 seats, including 21 of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and 11 of the People's Party Parliamentarians.

Originally scheduled in the last week of October, the election got postponed due to delay in formation of the national and provincial Governments after the October general election. Run up to the election has been marred by serious charges against the ruling combine at the Centre of attempted inducements to members to change their loyalties.

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