Pakistan president nominates textile minister for PM 

Asif Ali Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has nominated textile industry minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin for prime minister, state television reported Thursday. Zardari had been locked in crisis talks with allies to select a consensus candidate to take on the premiership after the Supreme Court dismissed Yousuf Raza Gilani for contempt.

“President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the co-chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party, has nominated Makhdoom Shahabuddin as a candidate for the prime minister,” Pakistan Television said. Zardari has already summoned the national assembly to meet on Friday to elect the new premier.

Shahabuddin will file his nomination papers on Thursday.

- channelnewsasia