Mush supporters greet him on ecstatic win

Islamabad, Oct 7: Doors of the 'Aiwan-e-Sadr' were thrown open to a seemingly endless stream of visitors, including ministers, politicians, parliamentarians, senior civil officials and members of the civil society who came to felicitate President Pervez Musharraf on his overwhelming win in yesterday's presidential polls.

However, the military ruler has to wait for the Supreme Court to confirm the legality of his re-election bid before he can be declared winner.

Prominent among those who greeted the President were Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Chairman Senate Mohammadmian Soomro, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, PML President Ch. Shujaat Hussain and Minister of State for Information Tariq Azeem.

The visitors hugged the President, shook hands and expressed their full support to his leadership. The President thanked them for their support.

Mr Soomro said Gen Musharraf's win would bring continuity and consistency in the policies. He said the President's re-election will help realisation of the ongoing development projects.

Mr Kasuri termed it ''a major milestone'', saying it was due to Gen Musharraf's efforts that Pakistan today has a booming economy.

He said Pakistan occupied a key place in the international community and has strong ties with the Islamic world, the EU and other major countries.

Ch Shujaat Hussain said the resounding win secured by the President will strengthen Pakistan, which is also the ''citadel of Islam''.

Mr Azeem described the victory as ''a historic win'' and said Gen Musharraf secured more votes in this election than those in 2004.

''All rumours and threats that the President will have no support proved futile..There was no violence and that augurs well for the forthcoming election that is expected in next few months which will further strengthen democracy in the country.

UNI