Accepted verdict for continuity of democratic process: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday said despite reservations against the judiciary's verdict, disqualifying Yusuf Raza Gilani as Prime Minister, his party accepted it for continuity of the democratic process in the country.

He was chairing the parliamentary party meeting of Pakistan People's Party to discuss the situation arising out of Gilani's disqualification by the Supreme Court.

Reposing its full confidence in President Zardari who is also the Co-chairman of PPP, the parliamentary party authorized him to nominate the next prime minister, sources said. "Your decision will be acceptable to us with a heart and soul," the participants of the meeting said.

On the occasion, Makhdoom Shahabuddin was accorded a protocol befitting for a candidate for the slot of Prime Minister. He went from seat to seat to the members of the National Assembly to shake hands and was greeted in return with felicitations, apparently, for being nominated for the coveted slot.

However, the parliamentary party did not put forth any names for the Prime Minister's slot which fell vacant after Yusuf Raza Gilani's disqualification as a member of national assembly as well as premiership.

On the occasion, the parliamentary party paid rich tributes to Yusuf Raza Gilani for his services and loyalty to the party.

The President said: "We accepted the judiciary's ruling for a continuity of democratic process in the country and we don't want confrontation between institutions."

He assured that PPP will assume any role for strengthening democracy in the country.