PML(N) accepts defeat in presidential election

The PML(N), led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, accepted defeat in Saturday's presidential election, saying it hoped winner Asif Ali Zardari would be “apolitical” as head of state. "We accept the results and we hope Zardari will resign from his party position immediately,” Khawaja Saad Rafiq, leader of PML(N) told reporters after the election. PML-N information secretary Ahsan Iqbal added: “We hope Zardari will remain apolitical as president.” One of the PML-N's major criticisms against Zardari's candidature was his political affiliation to the ruling government which in their belief undermined his ability to 'symbolise the unity of the federation.' Iqbal also acknowledged that there existed a "trust deficit" between the PPP and the PML-N after their recent political spat with the ruling Peoples Party.