Date:21/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/21/stories/2008042160221200.htm

International

Zardari: Ready to become PM if need arises

ISLAMABAD: Keeping his options open on becoming the Prime Minister, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Asif Ali Zardari has ruled out any immediate move to impeach embattled President Pervez Musharraf saying the party will think about it only after the coalition musters two-thirds majority.

“We do not want confrontation with anyone for the sake of Pakistan. It does not necessarily mean that we support President Musharraf. Whenever we manage to get a two-thirds majority in Parliament, we will think about impeaching him,” Mr. Zardari, 51, said in an interview to BBC to be aired on Sunday.

Under Pakistan’s Constitution, the President can be impeached only by a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

“If need arises”

Mr. Zardari announced his plans to contest the byelections and refused to give a firm commitment that he would become the Prime Minister but said he would assume the office if the “need arises.”

He had last month nominated Yousuf Raza Gillani for the post of Premier after weeks of wrangling within the PPP.

Mr. Zardari said he and his sister Faryal Talpur would submit nomination papers for bypolls to his wife Benazir Bhutto’s constituency of Larkana in Sindh province.

Responding to a question about his “love-hate” relationship with the President, Mr. Zardari said he neither loved nor hated retired General Musharraf.

Asked whether he and the PPP had accepted the President because of political expediency, he said: “No. We have done so because of our wish to get the requisite political support.” — PTI