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Sharief's move catches Pak unawares

As the nominations closed for the December 31 presidential poll today, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League sprung a surprise by nominating retired Supreme Court Justice Rafiq Ahmad Tarar for the top post, pitting him against the Pakistan People's Party nominee, Aftab Ahmad Shahban.

Though 10 candidates are in the fray, the fight is expected to be between the Muslim League and PPP.

''The people have put a heavy responsibility on me and I will try my best to fulfil my national commitment,'' a surprised Justice Tarar, who is also a senator, said. He said he was informed at the last moment.

Late last night PML chief and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief picked on Justice Tarar, setting at rest speculation that he would opt for Finance Minister Sartaz Aziz.

Justice Tarar, 68, is a former chief justice of the high court of the majority province of Punjab which controls Pakistan's politics, economy and civil and military establishment.

With the electoral college dominated by the Muslim League, the dice seems to be loaded in favour of its candidate.

Justice Tarar's selection as the official nominee came as a surprise to Sharief's friends and foes alike. Even his cabinet colleagues and party MPs did not know of the announcement till it was made by the prime minister.

There were reports that Sharief consulted the powerful army chief, General Jehangir Karamat yesterday before arriving at the decision.

UNI

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