ID :
16639
Fri, 08/22/2008 - 16:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16639
The shortlink copeid
PPP expected to nominate Zardari for Presidential post By Rezaul H. Laskar
the two main parties in Pakistan's ruling coalition, the Pakistan People's Party is expected to nominate its co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for the post of Presidentfollowing a meeting of the party's top leadership on Friday.
P.P.P. parliamentarians backed Zardari for the post of President during a dinner hosted by him last night, describinghim as the "most suitable candidate".
The move came after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the second largest opposition group in parliament, too saidZardari should be made the President.
In a recent interview, Zardari had ruled himself out of the presidential race but said the P.P.P. had the right to seek the post as it is the largest party in the rulingcoalition.
He told the dinner meeting of party parliamentarians Wednesday that a final decision will be made after consultingthe coalition's leadership.
The P.P.P.'s move to project Zardari as the party's presidential candidate comes in the wake of a threat by Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawaz Sharif to pull his party out of the coalition and sit in the opposition if the judges deposed by former President Pervez Musharraf are notreinstated by Friday.
Sharif told the Wall Street Journal that it would "be a bad day for democracy" if the judges are not restored. The P.M.L.-N. would "be forced to sit in the opposition" if the judges are not brought back to their positions though it would"not try to bring the government down".
The P.M.L.-N. has also said it wants the next President to be from a smaller province like Balochistan or North WestFrontier Province.
Sources said the decision to back Zardari for the post of President was made by the P.P.P.'s top hierarchy and a formal announcement would be made after a meeting of the party'scentral executive committee on Friday.
The M.Q.M. will endorse the P.P.P. C.E.C.'srecommendation to nominate Zardari, the sources said.
In return for its support, the M.Q.M. will continue to hold the office of the Governor of Sindh and also join the coalition in the centre and be given ministerial slots in thefederal cabinet.
The M.Q.M. is part of the opposition at the centre though it is a partner in the P.P.P.-led coalition government inSindh province.
The Awami National Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam are also expected to support Zardari's candidacy. The P.P.P. is also in contact with dissident members of the opposition P.M.L.-Q., some of whom met Premier Yousuf Raza GilaniThursday.
The P.P.P. if hopeful of getting its candidate elected as the President with the support of the M.Q.M., A.N.P., J.U.I., P.M.L.-Q. dissidents, some smaller groups and independentlawmakers even if the P.M.L.-N. does not support it.
Former President Pervez Musharraf resigned on Monday to avoid impeachment by the ruling coalition and his successorhas to be elected by September 17.
The P.P.P. and P.M.L.-N. are also divided on the issue of giving indemnity to Musharraf, with the P.M.L.-N. opposingsuch a move.
The electoral college for the election of the President comprises the four provincial assemblies, the National Assembly and the Senate. PTI RHL
P.P.P. parliamentarians backed Zardari for the post of President during a dinner hosted by him last night, describinghim as the "most suitable candidate".
The move came after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the second largest opposition group in parliament, too saidZardari should be made the President.
In a recent interview, Zardari had ruled himself out of the presidential race but said the P.P.P. had the right to seek the post as it is the largest party in the rulingcoalition.
He told the dinner meeting of party parliamentarians Wednesday that a final decision will be made after consultingthe coalition's leadership.
The P.P.P.'s move to project Zardari as the party's presidential candidate comes in the wake of a threat by Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawaz Sharif to pull his party out of the coalition and sit in the opposition if the judges deposed by former President Pervez Musharraf are notreinstated by Friday.
Sharif told the Wall Street Journal that it would "be a bad day for democracy" if the judges are not restored. The P.M.L.-N. would "be forced to sit in the opposition" if the judges are not brought back to their positions though it would"not try to bring the government down".
The P.M.L.-N. has also said it wants the next President to be from a smaller province like Balochistan or North WestFrontier Province.
Sources said the decision to back Zardari for the post of President was made by the P.P.P.'s top hierarchy and a formal announcement would be made after a meeting of the party'scentral executive committee on Friday.
The M.Q.M. will endorse the P.P.P. C.E.C.'srecommendation to nominate Zardari, the sources said.
In return for its support, the M.Q.M. will continue to hold the office of the Governor of Sindh and also join the coalition in the centre and be given ministerial slots in thefederal cabinet.
The M.Q.M. is part of the opposition at the centre though it is a partner in the P.P.P.-led coalition government inSindh province.
The Awami National Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam are also expected to support Zardari's candidacy. The P.P.P. is also in contact with dissident members of the opposition P.M.L.-Q., some of whom met Premier Yousuf Raza GilaniThursday.
The P.P.P. if hopeful of getting its candidate elected as the President with the support of the M.Q.M., A.N.P., J.U.I., P.M.L.-Q. dissidents, some smaller groups and independentlawmakers even if the P.M.L.-N. does not support it.
Former President Pervez Musharraf resigned on Monday to avoid impeachment by the ruling coalition and his successorhas to be elected by September 17.
The P.P.P. and P.M.L.-N. are also divided on the issue of giving indemnity to Musharraf, with the P.M.L.-N. opposingsuch a move.
The electoral college for the election of the President comprises the four provincial assemblies, the National Assembly and the Senate. PTI RHL
