PPP delays nomination of Pakistan's new PM

Islamabad, Mar 6 (UNI) The Pakistan People's Party, which met here today under the chairmanship of Asif Ali Zardari, delayed a decision on the premiership after it failed to agree on a candidate due to discord over the naming of frontrunner Makhdoom Amin Fahim for the post.

Mr Asif Ali Zardari said the nomination for the office of Prime Minister would be finalised by the time the Assembly session was called.

Party insiders said the dispute on the nomination of Fahim hinged on the fact that he hailed from the southern province of Sindh, the Bhutto clan's power base.

He said, ''Ordinarily, by virtue of my party office, I would have been the candidate for the office of Prime Minister. But, I have decided not to be PM candidate and instead wished to devote time and energy to strengthen the Party.'' APP reports quoting Mr Zardari said major issues had been ironed out with the coalition partners and some pending matters would be resolved soon.

Besides Fahim, three other names mentioned in media and political circles in connection with the race for the prime ministerial office are Ahmad Mukhtar, Yousaf Raza Gilani and Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

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