41.  The Socialists and four allied parties announced three hours before polling closed that they were withdrawing from the election because of alleged fraud and intimidation against their candidates.

42.  PML parliamentarians and members from allied parties held an emergency meeting here late Wednesday, Haq said, and called for an open trial.

43.  Sharif is to name some ministers from allied parties later.

44.  The legislature is controlled by the ruling Socialist Party and a small allied party, so approval had been seen as a foregone conclusion.

45.  The legal commission is controlled by the ruling Socialist Party and an allied party.