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Bhutto's Party to Name Next Pakistani PM

Shariz allies drop candidate as 'goodwill gesture' to PPP

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 21, 2008 8:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – The party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said today it will name Pakistan's next premier this weekend, AFP reports. After former PM Nawaz Sharif's party pulled their  candidate as a "goodwill gesture," the PPP candidate will likely be sworn in Tuesday without much debate, the AP reports. Bhutto widower Asif Ali Zardari is a popular choice but remains ineligible; analysts say he may replace a temporary leader later on.

Makhdoom Amin Fahim, a senior Bhutto aide, was a popular choice until former PM Nawaz Sharif's party protested his links to President Musharraf. A month after his party was crushed in a national ballot, the Musharraf remains politically isolated. He faces the likely reinstetement of judges he replaced out of fear they would question the legitimacy of his own re-election.

Pakistan's People's Party leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who is a likely candidate for Pakistan's premiership.
Pakistan's People's Party leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who is a likely candidate for Pakistan's premiership.   (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
Pakistani lawyers burn an effigy of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf during a protest in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008.
Pakistani lawyers burn an effigy of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf during a protest in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Asif Ali Zardari arrives at Parliament House to observe the assembly's first session in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March 17, 2008.
Asif Ali Zardari arrives at Parliament House to observe the assembly's first session in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Muhammad Javed)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, left, speaks as Asif Ali Zardari, right, widower of Benazir Bhutto and co-chairman of Pakistan People's Party looks on.
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, left, speaks as Asif Ali Zardari, right, widower of Benazir Bhutto and co-chairman of Pakistan People's Party looks on.   (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
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