Fahim proposes Zardari's name for PM

Islamabad, Mar 18: Pakistan People's Party vice-president Makhdoom Amin Fahim has proposed the name of party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for the post of prime minister, asserting that he would remain in the fray for the top job only in the event of the latter opting out.

''I have proposed the name of Asif Ali Zardari and if he agrees I will fully support him...but I will contest for the slot of prime minister if Asif nominated someone else,'' Mr Fahim was quoted by The News as saying after a meeting between the two top PPP leaders. It was the third meeting between the two leaders to settle the issue of party nominee for prime ministership. The paper quoted sources as saying that Mr Fahim has also rejected an offer by Mr Zardari to nominate three ministers of his choice in the federal government and six in the Sindh government in exchange for his withdrawal from the race for prime ministership.

During the meeting Mr Fahim refused to discuss nominees for the post of prime minister, saying he would not accept anyone else as prime minister.

Both the leaders will meet again today to break the deadlock.

The sources said the offer was a last ditch bid by the husband of assassinated party chief Benazir Bhutto to take on board Mr Fahim.

''We will meet again on Tuesday and by that time Zardari would have made a decision,'' Mr Fahim said.

UNI