Zardari cleared in last case, PPP split over PM post

The last remaining graft case against Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Asif Ali Zardari was quashed on Friday.

With this, the final hurdle to his claim as Pakistan's prime minister gets cleared even as the party continues to be dogged by differences over choosing a nominee to head the new coalition government.

A Pakistani anti-corruption court today dropped the last of the seven graft cases, giving a reprieve to Zardari, who has emerged as a frontrunner to lead the PPP-PML(N) government, elbowing past PPP Vice-Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim.

He was cleared in six other cases by anti-corruption courts in Rawalpindi earlier this month in line with a Supreme Court order last month.

In the case registered in 2004, Zardari, 51, was accused of importing a BMW car while allegedly passing himself off as a student in order to evade paying duties.

Acquitting Zardari, Rawalpindi Judge Sagheer Quadri said there was no proof that he imported the car.

The differences within the PPP over finalising a prime ministerial nominee showed no signs of easing with the once frontrunner and Benazir Bhutto loyalist Fahim insisting he was still a "very strong" contender.

Amin, who met Zardari for the second time last night in as many days, said he was not interested in becoming the president or the speaker of the new National Assembly.

However, in an attempt not to take Zardari head on, Fahim said he would be the first person to support the PPP chairman if he expressed a desire to become prime minister. The PPP is expected to name its candidate on March 17, when the first session of the new National Assembly starts.

Backroom jostling over sharing of power, meanwhile, continued with former premier Nawaz Sharif's PML(N) demanding strategic ministries like defence.