Musharraf's success was for sure: Shaukat Aziz

Islamabad, Oct 7: Soon after Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf swept the most votes in the presidential polls that were largely boycotted by the Opposition, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Musharraf's victory was for sure.

"Even if they (Opposition) had been there the victory would have belonged to the Muslim League," Aziz said as hundreds of supporters cheered and raised slogans in favour of Musharraf.

Addressing a rally at the PML House where party's supporters had gathered to celebrate Musharraf's victory, Aziz regretted that the opposition did not turn for the elections, The News reported.

Members of the two-chamber parliament and four provincial assemblies today voted for president in an election largely boycotted by the opposition.

President Musharraf bagged 252 votes of 257 votes cast in the parliament, while Justice Wajih got two votes, and three votes were rejected.

Earlier, dozens of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists marched towards parliament house in support of Musharraf.

Meanwhile, lawyers led anti-government protests in the four provincial capitals -- Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.

Police fired tear gas to disperse lawyers, who pelted stones at the North West Frontier Province Assembly.

However, Musharraf has to wait for the Supreme Court to confirm the legality of his bid before he can be declared winner.

The Supreme Court ruled on Friday the vote could go ahead, but no winner could be declared until it had decided whether Musharraf was eligible to run for office while still army chief.

ANI>