February 14, 2008	Thursday	Safar 06, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Feb 13: The Pakistan Muslim League-Q expressed confidence on Wednesday that it would form the government after next week’s parliamentary elections, despite surveys pointing to a strong victory by President Pervez Musharraf’s opponents.

Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the secretary-general of the party, said it had brought about improvements in the education, health care and other public services during the last five years and was confident going into Monday’s balloting.

“Based on our performance, we are confident that we will win the elections,” Mr Sayed told The Associated Press.

“We are in favour of national reconciliation and would like to muster the support of all political forces after the elections to ensure good governance.”

However, a survey released on Monday by the US government-funded International Republican Institute showed overwhelming support for the opposition and predicted the ruling party would fare poorly.

Opposition optimism has been tempered by fears the government may try to rig the polls — a chronic problem in Pakistani politics. Recently, opposition figures have cited alleged manipulation of voter registration rolls and other irregularities as a sign the vote may be rigged. Government officials deny the allegations.

“If there is no poll day rigging, we still expect to win,” said the spokesman for Bhutto’s party, Farhatullah Babar. Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N and Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party used to be bitter rivals but have agreed to set aside their past differences, vowing to restore democracy.

The elections are aimed at ushering in a new democratic era after years of military rule under Musharraf, who gave up his dual post as military commander two months ago to govern as a civilian.—AP