Fahim expresses dismay over delay in naming PM

Islamabad: Senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Makhdoom Ameen Fahim voiced his dismay over delay in naming a prime minister, in an interview published here on Saturday.

He told a prominent daily the delay was causing disturbance within the party. "There is a feeling on the streets that I am being insulted, humiliated and betrayed," he was quoted as saying.

Fahim had been widely tipped for the nomination till three other PPP figures from Punjab province - Yousuf Raza Gilani, Shah Mahmoud Qureshi and Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar - entered the race.

According to media speculation and sources, Ahmad Mukhtar, a businessman and former commerce minister, is being considered for the top slot as the PPP co-chairman continues consultations with party lawmakers-elect.

Consultations

Fahim made what the newspaper termed a sort of veiled threat if he was not given the post of prime minister, saying he had "a roadmap in my mind, but I would reveal it once the decision... was announced".

"Mr Zardari should try to keep the PPP intact by avoiding splits in its ranks till the time Bilawal Bhutto Zardari takes over the command of the party from him," Fahim said.

"I don't expect from Asif that he would bring someone else as prime minister forcibly," he said.

Zardari has said the nomination would be made public after the consultations and before the inaugural session of the newly elected National Assembly.

Islamabad (AP) The winners of Pakistan's parliamentary election will meet today to finalise a power-sharing deal amid increasing pressure on the president to quit following the defeat of his political allies at the polls, a party spokesman said.

Aides to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari have been holding talks to discuss how to form a coalition government after the February 18 elections when they routed the allies of President Musharraf.

Zardari's party won the most votes, followed by Sharif's grouping. Zardari is the widow of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. Yesterday, Sadiq-ul-Farooq, a spokesman for Sharif's party, said that the leaders of two winning parties would meet today.