Pakistan:Reacting to the PPP s announcement, PML-N spokesman Siddique-ul-Farooq said Zardari could not be a "neutral" President as he was the leader of a political party.

The PML-N s future course of action would be decided at a meeting of its parliamentary party and central working committee convened by Sharif here on Monday, Farooq said.

Earlier in the day, Sharif was non-committal on supporting Zardari in the presidential polls. He linked the issue to the restoration of the deposed judges by the PPP-led government by Monday.

The former premier also said an agreement between the PPP and PML-N stated that the PPP could nominate a candidate for the presidential election only if the President s sweeping powers were scrapped through a constitutional amendment.

If these powers were not repealed, the agreement stated that a non-partisan national figure who is removed from party politics should be nominated for the President s post, Sharif said.

After announcing Zardari s candidature, Rabbani thanked the opposition Muttahida Qaumi Movement for supporting the PPP s candidate in the presidential polls. He said the party would decide on a person to succeed Zardari as the party chief after the election.

Rabbani also said the ruling coalition will remain intact as Pakistan needs stability.

Musharraf resigned on August 18,necessitating the holding of presidential polls to choose his successor within 30 days. The Election Commission yesterday announced that the presidential polls would be held on September 6.

The electoral college for the polls comprises the four provincial assemblies and the two houses of parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate.
Source : PTI