Published: August 26, 2008

Pakistan's Zardari to Face Competition in Presidential Race

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By The Media Line Staff

After quitting the coalition government, Nawaz Sharif Tuesday morning presented his party's candidate for the presidential elections, former chief justice of Pakistan, Sa'id A-Zaman Siddiqi.

Presidential hopeful and leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Asif Zardari, urged Sharif to rejoin the coalition "for the sake of country and democracy."

"We seek forgiveness from Nawaz Sharif if his feelings were hurt. I want to take along Nawaz Sharif as there are immense difficulties ahead," Zardari said in a brief statement on state-run television.

Sharif, leader of the PML-N, quit the coalition government on Monday after the expiration of an ultimatum he gave regarding the reinstatement of 60 judges.

After becoming part of the opposition, Sharif withdrew his party's support for Zardari ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for September 6.

Meanwhile, unknown gunmen attempted Tuesday morning to assassinate a United States diplomat in Peshawar, a city located near the border with Afghanistan.

The diplomat, Lynne Tracy, escaped unhurt.