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Bhutto's Party Delays PM Decision

Meeting ends without expected nom; Bhutto widower will decide

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 6, 2008 10:31 AM CST
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(Newser) – Benazir Bhutto's party deferred its choice for PM candidate today, adding greater uncertainty to Pakistan's volatile political landscape, Bloomberg reports. Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the Pakistan People's Party's No. 2 and a longtime Bhutto loyalist, had been expected to take the top job today. But a meeting of the party's newly elected MPs split up without even discussing whom they would nominate.

The final decision on who will become prime minister lies with Asif Ali Zardari, the PPP's leader and Bhutto's widower. Fahim brushed aside reporters' questions about the delay, saying only, "This is democracy." A Pakistan newspaper reported yesterday that the new parliament's first action will be a resolution calling on Pervez Musharraf to face a confidence vote or step down.

Makhdoom Amin Fahim, right, the leading candidate for prime minister of Pakistan. The Pakistan People's Party failed to nominate a head of the government today.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim, right, the leading candidate for prime minister of Pakistan. The Pakistan People's Party failed to nominate a head of the government today.   (Associated Press)
Asif Ali Zardari, widower of Pakistan assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto addresses a news conference in Karachi, Pakistan on Monday, March 3, 2008. Zardari,co-chairman of the Pakistan's People's party told reporters that the party has yet to make a decision about Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
Asif Ali Zardari, widower of Pakistan assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto addresses a news conference in Karachi, Pakistan on Monday, March 3, 2008. Zardari,co-chairman of the Pakistan's People's...   (Associated Press)
Asif Ali Zardari, right, widower of Pakistan's assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto receives former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during a meeting of politicians in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008. The winners of Pakistan's election were assembling their lawmakers Wednesday for the first time to press President Pervez Musharraf...
Asif Ali Zardari, right, widower of Pakistan's assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto receives former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during a meeting of politicians in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday,...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's People's Party leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who is a likely candidate for Pakistan's premiership, listens to a speech by Asif Ali Zardari, unseen, widower of Pakistan's assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto during a meeting of politicians in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008.
Pakistan's People's Party leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who is a likely candidate for Pakistan's premiership, listens to a speech by Asif Ali Zardari, unseen, widower of Pakistan's assassinated opposition...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, left, comforts Amin Fahim, leader of Benazir Bhutto's People's party at a local hospital where Bhutto died, on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. (AP Photo/Mohammad Ali)
Pakistan former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, left, comforts Amin Fahim, leader of Benazir Bhutto's People's party at a local hospital where Bhutto died, on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan....   (Associated Press)
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The PPP's four candidates for prime minister
Associated Press

5 corruption cases against Zardari dropped
Daily Times (Pakistan)

 
Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • Pakistan People's Party • prime minister • Pakistan elections • Asif Ali Zardari • Makhdoom Amin Fahim

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