Sharif not to take post in new gov't

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-21 09:47

LAHORE -- Nawaz Sharif will not be the prime minister or take any ministerial post in the new government, Saif Qureshi, Political Convenor of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) said on Wednesday.

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif answers questions during a news conference a day after general elections in Lahore Feb. 19, 2008. Nawaz Sharif will not be the prime minister or take any ministerial post in the new government, Saif Qureshi, Political Convenor of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) said on Wednesday.

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif answers questions during a news conference a day after general elections in Lahore Feb. 19, 2008. Nawaz Sharif will not be the prime minister or take any ministerial post in the new government. [Agencies]

In an interview at Sharif's residence in Pakistan's second largest city of Lahore, Qureshi told Xinhua that the PML-N is likely to form a governing coalition with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) which had taken the lead in the nation's legislative election.

He said the prime minister is likely to be from the PPP and Sharif will not take any ministerial post.

Also on Wednesday, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said he would not become prime minister of Pakistan.

The PPP has won 88 seats, topping a list of contesting parties in the general elections. The PML-N, led by former prime minister Sharif, secured 67 seats as the runner up while the former ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) is on the third position with 42 seats.

Official results of the general elections are expected on March 1, according to local media.



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