A list of over 30 leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League and ally parties has been finalised who would propose and second the name of President Pervez Musharraf in the nomination papers to be filed on September 27.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain gave final touches to the list on Saturday, Daily Times reported quoting sources.
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Balochistan Chief Minister Jamm Muhammad Yousaf and Political Affairs Minister Amir Muqam, who is also the North West Frontier Province PML president, will propose the name of President Musharraf from their respective provinces.
Leader of the House in the Senate Wasim Sajjad will propose Gen Musherraf's name from Islamabad, while Senator Khalid Ranjha will second him, the sources said.
Other in the list include Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, State Minister for Education Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Environment Minister Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sher Afgan Niazi, Senators Nisar A Memon and Ihsan Ali Shah, Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghauri, Communication Minister Shamim Siddiqui and some members from the PML, Pakistan People's Party-Sherpao, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
Though it was not mandatory for such a large number of leaders to propose the name of a candidate, all these have decided to show their open support to the president.