ISLAMABAD
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Navaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N claimed an early victory in Saturday's parliamentary elections, according to unofficial results.
Sharif, toppled 14 years ago in military takeover, was ahead with 130 seats while his main rival, the Movement of Justice (PTI) party of former cricketer Imran Khan, won 35 seats in the parliament.
Preliminary results denied Sharif a majority of 272 seats in the assembly, which he needs to secure to form a government on its own.
Sharif's brother Shahbaz Sharif pledged in Lahor that the PML-N government would be transparent and fair as Sharif's supporters took to the streets to celebrate his victory.
President Asif Ali Zardari's Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which ruled the country for past five years, has secured 33 seats.
Muttahida Quami Movement won 11 seats, while Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party has claimed 12 and Islam Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) won 3 seats in the parliament.
Independent candidates won 25 seats and they are expected to play a key role in the formation of a new government.
