PPP selects Ashraf as leading PM candidate

DHAKA: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has decided that Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will be the party’s leading candidate for prime minister.

This decision was made after the PPP dropped the name of Makhdoom Shahabuddin as its leading candidate, reports Geo TV.

According to Geo News senior anchor Kamran Khan, the name of Makhdoom Shahabuddin was dropped due to his alleged involvement in the Ephedrine scandal case. Earlier an anti-narcotics court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Makhdoom Shahabuddin and Ali Musa Gilani.

It is expected that Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will be introduced as the PPP’s candidate for prime minister to coalition partners later today (Thursday) and a power sharing formula will be discussed.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had earlier been chosen by the PPP to be the covering candidate for Makhdoom Shahabuddin.

Three MNAs from the PPP (Makhdoom Shahbuddin, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira) have filed nomination papers.

Nomination papers have also been filed by Mehtab Abbasi from the PML-N and Maulana Fazlur Rehman from the JUI-F.

The new prime minister of Pakistan will be elected during the National Assembly session on Friday.

The position fell vacant when Yusuf Raza Gilani was disqualified as prime minister, following the Supreme Court’s verdict in the NA Speaker’s ruling case.

BDST: 1938 HRS, JUN 21, 2012

Edited by Robab Rosan, Cultural Affairs Editor