Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Bhutto's Party Nominates New Prime Minister

Ex-speaker once went to jail to avoid cutting deal with Musharraf

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 22, 2008 3:22 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – The party of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto named Yusuf Raza Gillani as its pick for prime minister of Pakistan today, the BBC reports. He is virtually guaranteed to be voted in Tuesday but won’t be PM for long, analysts say. The ex-speaker is expected to step down as soon as Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower, is eligible for the job.

Bhutto’s son was expected to announce the nominee, but the party said its teenage heir-apparent felt ill today—leading some to speculate about political wrangling within the party. Gillani gets the nod over Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who some feared was too close to President Musharraf. Gillani has no such problem: He once went to jail rather than strike a deal with Musharraf.

Yusuf Raza Gillani and late PPP leader Benazir Bhutto wave to the crowd in this October 18, 2007 file photo.
Yusuf Raza Gillani and late PPP leader Benazir Bhutto wave to the crowd in this October 18, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
Yousaf Raza Gillani, a member of Pakistan People's party and a possible candidate to become Pakistan's next prime minister, arrives at Parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. Pakistan's new parliament was set to elect Fehmida Mirza, unseen, the country's first female speaker Wednesday following her nomination by...
Yousaf Raza Gillani, a member of Pakistan People's party and a possible candidate to become Pakistan's next prime minister, arrives at Parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. Pakistan's...   (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
Newly elected lawmaker Yousuf Raza Gillani, center, arrives at Parliament House to attend the assembly's first session in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March 17, 2008.
Newly elected lawmaker Yousuf Raza Gillani, center, arrives at Parliament House to attend the assembly's first session in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Next PM considered a Bhutto loyalist
Reuters

Musharraf's party nominates no one as 'good will gesture'
Al Jazeera

Meet Yusuf Raza Gillani
Times of India (India)

 
Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • Nawaz Sharif • Pakistan People's Party • Asif Ali Zardari • Bilawal Bhutto Zardari • Yusuf Raza Gillani

More Newser Stories

Pakistan Teeters After Ministers Quit Coalition

Bhutto's Party to Name Next Pakistani PM

Pakistan's New Parliament Sworn In

Pakistani Parties Spurn Musharraf, Forge Coalition

Musharraf Pushes Swiss to Prosecute Foe
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne