Pakistan lawmakers to choose Musharraf replacement

by Dave Keating | September 5, 2008 at 12:20 am

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The late Benazir Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari is poised to become the next president of Pakistan, according to initial reports. Zardari is co-chairman of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP), and he has clear majority of support in the two houses of parliament and four provincial assemblies. The election will take place on Saturday.

The real question in Pakistan's presidential election is not who the winner will be but whether the new leader will be any more successful than his predecessor in tackling extremism and economic malaise.

Asif Ali Zardari, head of the ruling Pakistan People's Party and widower of two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, will face off against two lightly regarded opponents when legislators meet Saturday to choose a president.

The winner will replace former military strongman Pervez Musharraf, who resigned under pressure last month.

``It will be an easy victory for Asif Ali Zardari as we have the support of more than 400 lawmakers out of about 700,'' People's Party spokesman Farhatullah Babar told The Associated Press.