Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday claimed victory in the national election, saying his party had emerged as the largest in the vote and would discuss forming a coalition government.

The latest count published by the election panel showed his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) winning 42 seats, far below the 133 needed to stake claim to form a government.

In an indirect goodwill message to India, Sharif said his government would try to improve relations with neighbouring countries. “We would improve ties with the world and with our neighbours and try to solve all issues with them (neighbours),” he said.