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Rediff.com  » News » Next Pakistan President from PPP, says Bilawal Bhutto

Next Pakistan President from PPP, says Bilawal Bhutto

Source: PTI
August 18, 2008 18:52 IST
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Ruling Pakistan People's Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said that the country's next president would be from his party.

Bilawal, who arrived in Karachi from Dubai on a personal visit, told reporters that he was not directly involved in the process of selecting the next President, in the wake of the resignation of beleaguered military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

Coverage: Musharraf resigns

When he was pressed by the media, Bilawal said the next president will be from the PPP.

Referring to Musharraf's resignation during a televised address to the nation, Bilawal said the 'biggest hurdle' in the path to democracy had been removed. "I am sure that we can resolve all the issues of the country. The PPP wants to have an independent judiciary and I am sure that we will move forward on this issue," he added.

Musharraf is down but not finished

Bilawal, who was made chief of the PPP shortly after the assassination of his mother Benazir Bhutto in December last year, said, "I am extremely proud of my country today. A few days after the assassination of my mother, I had said that democracy is the best revenge. Indeed, democracy is the greatest revenge."

Bilawal said his visit was not linked to Musharraf's resignation. He said he had come to Pakistan to visit the grave of his mother in Larkana.

 Don't humiliate Musharraf: US tells Pak

Meanwhile, in Islamabad, Law Minister Farooq Naek told  reporters that elections to choose the new president would be held within 30 days of the vacancy arising in the post.

Law Minister Naek parried questions on whether the ruling coalition would give a safe exit to Musharraf and whether it would still use the chargesheet framed against the President. He said decisions in this regard would be made by the leaders of the ruling coalition.

The rise & fall of Pervez Musharraf

Naek said Musharraf no longer faced the prospect of impeachment as he had resigned.

A meeting of the top leaders of the coalition, held in PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari's residence in Islamabad, discussed the restoration of judges deposed by the President during last year's emergency and the choice of a successor to Musharraf.

Musharraf's resignation Pakistan's internal matter: India

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