Choosing a new president in Pakistan

Now that Pervez Musharraf has stepped down, it's up to lawmakers to choose his successor -- and decide how much power he should have.

* Under the constitution, the chairman of the Senate, Mohammedmian Soomro, is now acting president.

* A new president must be elected within 30 days, to a five-year term.

* The president is chosen by an electoral college made up

of members of both houses of parliament and the four provincial assemblies.

* Traditionally in Pakistan,

the president has been a figurehead and the prime minister has held most powers. But the presidency became more powerful during the nearly nine-year rule of Musharraf, who until last fall also commanded the military.

* Musharraf retained the authority to dismiss parliament and make top military and judicial appointments. Coalition partners reportedly are divided about whether to return the presidency to a more ceremonial post, with

the leading Pakistan People's Party resisting the new limits as it seeks the position for one of its own.

Source: Times Staff and Wire Reports