Pakistani politicians have chosen a close ally of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to serve as the country 's president , Pakistani state broadcaster PTV reported Tuesday . Mamnoon Hussain , a well-known businessman from the southern city of Karachi , was elected to the largely ceremonial role in a vote by federal and provincial officials across the country . Pakistan 's Election Commission said a formal announcement would be made later Tuesday . Since the presidency is a nonpartisan role , Hussain would have to resign from the Pakistan Muslim League-N party , which Sharif leads . Hussain would succeed President Asif Ali Zardari , one of Sharif 's longtime political rivals . The presidency was more powerful under Pervez Musharraf , the army general who held the office from 2001 to 2008 after he led a 1999 military coup . But after Zardari became president , a constitutional amendment reduced presidential powers in April 2010 .
Mamnoon Hussain is a well-known businessman from Karachi . He would take over the largely ceremonial presidency from Asif Ali Zardari . Hussain is an ally of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif .