The ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has decided to nominate its co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari as the next president of the country, Pakistani media reported on Thursday.

"This decision (to nominate Zardari) had been taken by the top hierarchy of the PPP," Daily Times newspaper quoted sources as saying.

Zardari, widower of assassinated former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, is now leading the country's largest party which won the February general elections.

The PPP's Central Executive Committee (CEC) would formally announce the decision after its meeting on Friday, the newspaper said.

Musharraf announced his resignation "for the interests of Pakistan" on Monday. But the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has remained divided on the presidential candidacy.

The PML-N, led by former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, wants the next president from a smaller province, like Balochistan or North West Frontier Province. Zardari is from Sindh province.

Altaf Hussain, leader of the opposition party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), on Wednesday also proposed Zardari for the presidential candidate.

According to constitution, the election of the president has to be held within 30 days after Musharraf resigns. The electoral college for the presidential election is the four provincial assemblies, National Assembly and the Senate.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2008)