Zardari should be Pak President: Altaf Hussain

Islamabad, Aug 20: Muttahida Qami Movement leader Altaf Hussain believes that Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari should be the frontrunner for the office of President. Hussain told Geo TV that Zardari was the right person for the Presidential slot.

The ruling coalition, including the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has remained divided over the presidential candidacy after former President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation on Monday, Aug 18.

Zardari has said that his party has the legitimate right over the post as it was the biggest party among the coalition partners.

The PPP, had the right to appoint its own president once Musharraf was gone, said Zardari.

Separately, in an interview with the Dawn News, Zardari said that political differences between the PPP and the PML-N were bound to emerge after Musharraf's removal, but the coalition would not fall apart.

Over the past few days, Nawaz Sharif had also staked his claim for the post, saying that the next President should come from a smaller province.

Geographically, the NWFP is the smallest province, which is being presently ruled by the Awami National Party.

Under the Constitution, the election of the president should be held within thirty days of Musharraf leaving his office.

The MQM was defeated in the February 18 elections and sat on the opposition bench.

ANI