With Imran Khan-backed independents winning over 100 seats, Pakistan's powerful army calls for unified government
New Indian ExpressRAWALPINDI: Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir on Saturday called for a "unified" government and urged the political leadership to "rise above self-interests" and synergise efforts in governing and serving the people. Springing a surprise, independents backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party won the lion's share of 101 seats in the National Assembly in Thursday's election. "Pakistan's diverse polity and pluralism will be well-represented by a unified government of all democratic forces imbibed with national purpose," he said, adding that elections and democracy are means to serve the people of Pakistan and not end in themselves. General Munir said that the people of Pakistan reposed their combined trust in the Constitution of Pakistan and it was now incumbent upon all political parties to reciprocate the same with political maturity and unity.