Fear and apathy prevented many Pakistanis from voting in crucial parliamentary elections Monday, but initial returns indicated opposition parties could pose a serious challenge to President Pervez Musharraf's rule. The chairman of Pakistan's ruling party, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, lost his parliamentary seat, two private TV networks reported. Hussain, a former prime minister and a close political ally of Musharraf, was defeated in the Gujrat constituency by a candidate from Benazir Bhutto's opposition party, Dawn News and Aaj TV reported, citing unofficial returns.
Hussain is also contesting a seat in another constituency, but the loss in his hometown is a major blow for the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Q party and suggests it could fare badly in the elections. The Election Commission has yet to make a formal announcement, but PML-Q officials confirmed Hussain's defeat.