The party of former two-time Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif said Thursday that it had received the support of enough newly elected independent lawmakers to form a majority government, dpa reported. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the single largest party after Saturday's national elections, winning 124 seats out of 272 contestable National Assembly seats. But it fell short of the 137 members needed to form a government with a simple majority. However, some of the 28 independently elected members have thrown their support behind PML-N, party leader Tariq Azeem told dpa. "We have got a majority without any doubt and will form the government," Azeem said. "I cannot give you a number for them (independent members who will join the PML-N), but several of them have met our top leadership and assured their support." Shahbaz Sharif, the former prime minister's younger brother, also said the party had a majority. "By the grace of Allah Almighty, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's majority has been established," Sharif told reporters in Islamabad. Independent candidates can join any political party within three days of the official announcement of results. Traditionally, independents merge with parties likely to form the government. The Election Commission has so far declared the preliminary results of 261 seats. Former governing Pakistan People's Party emerged as the runner-up with 31 seats, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, led by the former cricketer Imran Khan, won 27 seats. The final outcome of the 11 seats yet to be declared may take many days.
