Presidential race hots up in Pakistan

Islamabad: The race for the presidency in Pakistan has accelerated with tension growing over the revival of deposed judges and realignment of political parties after the government coalition falling apart.

Three major political parties have pitched their candidates for the president's post.

Three main candidates who filed their nomination papers for the presidential elections included: Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP); Justice (retd) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, supported by the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), and Mushahid Hussain Syed from Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q), a pro-Pervez Musharraf party.

Zardari's sister Faryal Talpur has also filed her nomination papers as a covering candidate.