Asif Ali Zardari is expected to be sworn in as Pakistan's president today.
This caps a remarkable rise from jail, exile and his wife Benazir Bhutto's assassination nine months ago.
The controversial frontrunner won more than two-thirds of the vote among law-makers, taking power in the world's only nuclear-armed Islamic state.
In a short TV address, he said his triumph was a victory for democracy, a barbed reference to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, whose resignation triggered the election.
But the militant threat in the country was underscored in the northwestern city of Peshawar during voting, when a suicide car-bomber rammed a police checkpost, killing 35 and wounding more than 80.
The explosives-packed pickup truck blew up at a police checkpoint. Police said a huge amount of explosives was used, so a more important target might have been planned.
TV footage showed a blast crater 1m deep, ruined vehicles and debris scattered widely.
Some buildings in a nearby market collapsed, leading civilians to dig frantically with their hands to find survivors.
Mr Zardari has vowed to be tough on militancy, a stance that plays well in Washington, where officials worried about rising violence in neighbouring Afghanistan have pushed for a clampdown on extremist havens within Pakistan.
But coming down too hard on insurgent activity risks inflaming public opinion.
Tensions rose further last week after a failed assassination attempt on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, whose car was hit by sniper fire.
Ms Bhutto's widower was hailed by world leaders. The US and Britain pledged to work closely to secure stability and economic prosperity.
As Pakistan's 14th president, he will now gain wide powers, including the right to dismiss governments and appoint leaders of the military, which has ruled Pakistan for half of its 61-year existence.
This caps a remarkable rise from jail, exile and his wife Benazir Bhutto's assassination nine months ago.
The controversial frontrunner won more than two-thirds of the vote among law-makers, taking power in the world's only nuclear-armed Islamic state.
In a short TV address, he said his triumph was a victory for democracy, a barbed reference to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, whose resignation triggered the election.
But the militant threat in the country was underscored in the northwestern city of Peshawar during voting, when a suicide car-bomber rammed a police checkpost, killing 35 and wounding more than 80.
The explosives-packed pickup truck blew up at a police checkpoint. Police said a huge amount of explosives was used, so a more important target might have been planned.
TV footage showed a blast crater 1m deep, ruined vehicles and debris scattered widely.
Some buildings in a nearby market collapsed, leading civilians to dig frantically with their hands to find survivors.
Mr Zardari has vowed to be tough on militancy, a stance that plays well in Washington, where officials worried about rising violence in neighbouring Afghanistan have pushed for a clampdown on extremist havens within Pakistan.
But coming down too hard on insurgent activity risks inflaming public opinion.
Tensions rose further last week after a failed assassination attempt on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, whose car was hit by sniper fire.
Ms Bhutto's widower was hailed by world leaders. The US and Britain pledged to work closely to secure stability and economic prosperity.
As Pakistan's 14th president, he will now gain wide powers, including the right to dismiss governments and appoint leaders of the military, which has ruled Pakistan for half of its 61-year existence.
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