Bhutto's widower to run for president

tauringhuang.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CN*) -- Pakistan People's Party co-chair and widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari, has accepted the nomination to be his party's candidate for the Pakistani presidency, PPP officials said Saturday night.

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf stepped down on Monday. Under the nation's constitution, Pakistan's four provincial assemblies and parliament must elect a new president within 30 days. The election has been scheduled for September 6.

Candidates have until August 26 to indicate whether they will run.


The PPP heads Pakistan's ruling coalition. It decided to nominate Zardari on Friday.

His wife was assassinated during a campaign rally in December.