Democratic process will continue, says PPP

Islamabad: Lawmakers of the ruling Pakistan People's Party on Thursday pledged the democratic process would continue "without any disruption" after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's disqualification by the Supreme Court, as party leader Makhdoom Shahabuddin remained a front-runner for the post of premier.

A meeting of the PPP's Parliamentary party "decided that the democratic process will continue without any disruption", said a statement issued by the party, as Pakistan's National Assembly was convened on Friday to elect a new Prime Minister.

The meeting, jointly chaired by co-chairman President Asif Ali Zardari and vice-chairman Gilani, discussed the "current situation obtaining in the country after the Supreme Court's verdict".

The lawmakers reposed full confidence in Zardari for "taking appropriate decisions, in consultation with the coalition partners, for ensuring continuity of democracy and democratic process in accordance with the Constitution".

The meeting also lauded Gilani for upholding the supremacy of parliament and the Constitution.

In a related development, Zardari summoned a special session of the National Assembly or lower house of parliament at 5.30 pm on June 22 to elect the new Prime Minister.

Speaker Fehmida Mirza will chair the session.

The National Assembly Secretariat issued the schedule for the election of the new premier, according to which nomination papers will be accepted till 2 pm tomorrow.

The Speaker will scrutinise the papers at 3 pm tomorrow and candidates whose nominations are in order will be eligible to contest the poll.

After the election on Friday, the majority candidate will emerge as the Prime Minister-elect.

PTI