August 25, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 22, 1429

PESHAWAR, Aug 24: The Awami National Party has announced support for Pakistan People’s Party’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in the presidential election.

ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan said in a statement issued from the Bacha Khan Markaz on Sunday that the PPP had the right to nominate its candidate for the post because it was the largest party in the ruling coalition.

He said that since Mr Zardari belonged to a smaller province and he had been fielded by the coalition partner, the ANP would fully support his candidature. He said Mr Zardari’s election would help to restore peace, strengthen the federal democratic set-up, provincial autonomy and freedom of the media and judiciary.

The ANP chief expressed the hope that after his election on Sept 6, the PPP leader would take decisive steps to eliminate the remnants of dictatorship and prevent dictators from usurping power in future. He said the ANP accorded importance to cooperation among the political forces for advancing democratic process.

He said other parties should also support the coalition’s candidate to pave the way for development of democracy.