Islamabad, Pakistan (BBN)– President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari early Thursday nominated Makhdoom Shahabuddin for the post of prime minister (PM), while, Raja Pervez Ashraf will be a covering candidate.
Raja Pervez Ashraf will file nomination papers in the Election Commission before 2:00 pm on Thursday as a covering candidate for the PM slot, local media reports.
President Zardari has nominated Shahabuddin after consulting the coalition parties and Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Parliamentary Party members for the post which became vacant after disqualification of Yousuf Raza Gilani by the Supreme Court.
Presently a member of the National Assembly (February 2008 onwards) and textiles minister, Shahabuddin has earlier held the portfolios of federal minister for finance and health in the Gilani-led government.
Coming from Punjab province’s Rahim Yar Khan city, Shahabuddin has been politically affiliated with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
BBN/SSR/AD-21June12-9:10 am (BST)
