ISLAMABAD, Dec 5: Pakistan will elect a new President on December 31. Even as Finance Minister Sartaj Aziz and Senate chairman Wasim Sajjad, who is acting as President after Farooq Ahmed Leghari's resignation, are emerging as the top two contenders for the post, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) is likely to chose a candidate who is acceptable to the Army.Apart from Aziz and Sajjad, other candidates who have emerged in the fray include Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Ajmal Khattak, former Sindh chief minister Ghous Ali Shah and former Baluchistan chief minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali (Muslim League). Both ANP and Muslim League are allies of the PML.The last date for filing of nomination papers is December 16. The election will be held on December 31 at the Parliament House and four provincial Assembly secretariats. Sharif, having emerged as all powerful after overcoming the recent political crisis with Leghari's exit and suspension of Supreme Court Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, has held deliberations with his top aides on this vital issue. However, according to media reports, the premier is not going to take any ``hasty decision''.``We want to have the best choice as there is no hurdle in exercising this option,'' commented a senior federal minister after a party meeting to finalise the candidate. The PML will not have any difficulty in installing its hand-picked man at the Presidential House, considering it has over two-third majority in the Parliament and also a strong presence in almost all the four provincial assemblies.Observers said since provincial considerations play a crucial role in Pakistani politics, the ruling PML, apart from looking for a ``safe'' candidate, has to keep in mind this point before finalising its choice.
