Musharraf's allies withdraw PM candidate

Allies of president Pervez Musharraf withdrew their candidate for Pakistan’s prime minister as a “good will gesture” to followers of murdered opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, who said they would announce their choice for the job later today.

The move clears the way for whoever is nominated by Ms Bhutto’s party to run for premier uncontested.

Ms Bhutto’s widower and her 19-year-old son are expected to announce a candidate tonight, ahead of a vote two days later in parliament.

Mr Musharraf’s allies named their choice for premier, Farooq Sattar, earlier this week.

The decision to withdraw his candidacy was made late last night, said politician Haider Abbas Rizvi.

“We will support the PPP candidate unconditionally,” Mr Rizvi said, referring to Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party.