Secretary-General lauds peaceful conduct of Pakistan polls

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has commended the people of Pakistan for the largely peaceful conduct of yesterday’s parliamentary elections.

Mr. Ban, who has been closely following developments in Pakistan, “is encouraged by the commitment of all concerned to respect the democratic process,” his spokesperson said in a statement.

According to media reports, the Pakistan People’s Party of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has emerged as the largest party in the country’s 342-seat National Assembly but it does not have a majority and will need to seek coalition partners.

Ms. Bhutto was killed during an election rally in the northern city of Rawalpindi on 27 December 2007.