Sindh-Punjab row in way of PPP decision

Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, one of the contenders for the post, told reporters: “The people who have to take this decision need more time to finalise the candidate. A lot of things have to be taken into consideration. Due to that, Mr Zardari has decided to hold meetings with members of Parliament from different divisions and take their viewpoints before he makes any decision.”

Mukhtar added: “I don’t think there is uncertainty because of the (prime minister) not being nominated as yet. We still have time.”

It had been widely expected that the PPP, which plans to form government with the backing of PML-N and the Awami National Party, would name its candidate for premiership at today’s meeting. PPP Vice Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim was tipped to be the front-runner for the slot while other leaders being considered for the position were Mukhtar, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Yusuf Raza Gillani.

Kayani: Army not cooling to Musharraf

Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said the Army in Pakistan would stay out of the political process but was in no way distancing itself from President Parvez Musharraf.

• Two suspected terrorists were arrested in Lahore on Thursday by Pakistani police along with suicide jackets and explosive materials.

• A lawyer has challenged the pardon granted to Indian national Kashmir Singh, who was freed after spending 35 years on death row.