ID :
16508
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 08:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16508
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MQM backs Zardari for post of President
Islamabad, Aug 20 (PTI) Backing Pakistan Peoples Party (P.P.P.) chief Asif Ali Zardari for the post of President, Pakistan's opposition Muttahida Quami Movement (M.Q.M.) party Wednesday said he was a suitable candidate as he hailed from "a small province" of Sindh and was capable of handling crisesin "an amicable and judicious way".
Though Zardari recently ruled himself out from the presidential race, M.Q.M. chief Altaf Hussain proposed his name for the post, which fell vacant following the resignationof Pervez Musharraf on Monday.
Hussain said he was backing Zardari -- a Sindhi -- as his selection "would serve the need to find a President from asmall province".
Senior M.Q.M. leader Farooq Sattar said Zardari was a suitable candidate due to his abilities to "handle crises inan amicable and judicious way".
Zardari had also promoted the atmosphere of nationalreconciliation and harmony after winning the polls, he said.
Other M.Q.M. leaders backed Zardari for his "sacrifices" for ushering in democracy and for his role in ensuringMusharraf's ouster from office.
Though the M.Q.M. is in the opposition at the centre, it is a key partner in the PPP-led coalition government in Sindh province. It had also announced that it would abstain if animpeachment motion was moved against Musharraf in Parliament.
Responding to the M.Q.M.'s proposal, Zardari thanked Altaf Hussain for his "positive role during the political developments of the last few days that led to the resignationof Musharraf".
In a statement issued by the P.P.P., Zardari said Altaf Hussain and M.Q.M. played "a crucial role in the mediation efforts towards obtaining the resignation and ensuring apeaceful exit for the former President.
"These efforts for strengthening democracy in Pakistan are commendable and must be appreciated." The P.P.P. and its main ally Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) PML-N have begun lobbying for their candidates for the post vacated by Musharraf on Monday to avoid impeachment bythe ruling coalition.
P.P.P. leaders have been projecting National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza and Zardari's sister Faryal Talpur aspossible candidates for the post.
PML-N leaders have suggested that the coalition's presidential candidate should be from impoverished Balochistan province rather than the more powerful Punjab or Sindh provinces, leading to some quarters backing Baloch nationalleader Ataullah Mengal for the post.
P.P.P. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said recently that the next President would be from his party while Zardari indicated that a woman could be the party's presidential candidate. Zardari also said the P.P.P. had the right to nominate its candidate to the post as it was the largest partyin the ruling coalition.
Meanwhile, Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan has said the ruling coalition should select the next President from one of the smaller provinces in the interest of "national cohesionand strengthening democracy".
He said Musharraf should be held accountable for hisactions.
Though Zardari recently ruled himself out from the presidential race, M.Q.M. chief Altaf Hussain proposed his name for the post, which fell vacant following the resignationof Pervez Musharraf on Monday.
Hussain said he was backing Zardari -- a Sindhi -- as his selection "would serve the need to find a President from asmall province".
Senior M.Q.M. leader Farooq Sattar said Zardari was a suitable candidate due to his abilities to "handle crises inan amicable and judicious way".
Zardari had also promoted the atmosphere of nationalreconciliation and harmony after winning the polls, he said.
Other M.Q.M. leaders backed Zardari for his "sacrifices" for ushering in democracy and for his role in ensuringMusharraf's ouster from office.
Though the M.Q.M. is in the opposition at the centre, it is a key partner in the PPP-led coalition government in Sindh province. It had also announced that it would abstain if animpeachment motion was moved against Musharraf in Parliament.
Responding to the M.Q.M.'s proposal, Zardari thanked Altaf Hussain for his "positive role during the political developments of the last few days that led to the resignationof Musharraf".
In a statement issued by the P.P.P., Zardari said Altaf Hussain and M.Q.M. played "a crucial role in the mediation efforts towards obtaining the resignation and ensuring apeaceful exit for the former President.
"These efforts for strengthening democracy in Pakistan are commendable and must be appreciated." The P.P.P. and its main ally Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) PML-N have begun lobbying for their candidates for the post vacated by Musharraf on Monday to avoid impeachment bythe ruling coalition.
P.P.P. leaders have been projecting National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza and Zardari's sister Faryal Talpur aspossible candidates for the post.
PML-N leaders have suggested that the coalition's presidential candidate should be from impoverished Balochistan province rather than the more powerful Punjab or Sindh provinces, leading to some quarters backing Baloch nationalleader Ataullah Mengal for the post.
P.P.P. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said recently that the next President would be from his party while Zardari indicated that a woman could be the party's presidential candidate. Zardari also said the P.P.P. had the right to nominate its candidate to the post as it was the largest partyin the ruling coalition.
Meanwhile, Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan has said the ruling coalition should select the next President from one of the smaller provinces in the interest of "national cohesionand strengthening democracy".
He said Musharraf should be held accountable for hisactions.
