Pakistan's ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday appeared confident that his party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, will emerge as winner, as the preliminary vote count put it as the front runner, dpa reported.
Sharif told a charged-up crowd in the eastern city of Lahore, his hometown, that his party had received another opportunity to serve the country.
Unofficial results reported by the Pakistani news channels showed his party leading in the parliamentary votes.
"Now pray that when the results finalize by (Sunday) morning, PML-N is in a position to form its own government without any crutches," Sharif said. "Pray that we do not have to seek anyone's assistance because seats sought in this manner never make a government strong."