Zardari, widower of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday won majority in the presidential election, according to an unofficial result.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

Sharif, chief of the second largest party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), quit the PPP-led coalition over the judge issue and sat on the opposition bench last month.

Sharif has accepted his party's defeat in the presidential race and assured his support for the federal government, but he urged the new president to be neutral.

Zardari has been blamed for bidding for presidency as the PPP co-chairman. He still has the power to dismiss parliament and appoint the heads of the army. 

Supporters of ruling party Pakistan People's Party celebrate the victory of Asif Ali Zardari in the presidential election in Lahore September 6, 2008. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]