Lahore: Pakistan’s cricket hero Imran Khan on Thursday declared victory in the country’s controversial elections, as rival parties alleged poll rigging and counting of votes progressed slowly.
“We were successful and we were given a mandate,” said Khan in a televised speech in Islamabad. “I came into politics because I wanted Pakistan to become the country that Jinnah had envisioned. This has been a historic election,” he said, referring to the country’s founding father.
“I want to thank Allah for this opportunity to serve the nation. Through its ups and downs; I am grateful for being given this chance,” he said.
Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party had a commanding lead Thursday amid slow and tedious counting of ballots, but may still need to form a coalition to govern the country.
