ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is scheduled to scrutinise the nomination papers of candidates for the slot of the country’s president on Wednesday (today).
Presidential candidates are advised to appear along with their proposer and seconder before the electoral body in Islamabad at 10:00 am.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Dr. Arif Alvi, Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Aitzaz Ahsan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman have submitted their nomination papers for the office of president of Pakistan.
As the opposition remains divided over fielding a joint presidential candidate, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Tuesday decided not to support Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rahman and take part in the upcoming presidential election with own candidate, a private TV channel reported.
PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari had summoned a party meeting to discuss cooperation sought by Fazl vis-à-vis a consensus candidate by the grand opposition alliance and take a final decision on the presidential nominee of the party.
The meeting reportedly reviewed possible repercussions as well as political gains out of supporting Fazl as opposition’s consensus candidate for the presidential election. However, PPP members opposed Aitzaz Ahsan’s withdrawal from the race.
Also read Presidential election
Fazl was jointly fielded by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), Awami National Party (ANP), Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and the National Party (NP) against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Arif Alvi. Though a part of grand opposition alliance, PPP named Aitzaz Ahsan as their candidate for the presidential elections despite strong opposition by the PML-N.
Polling for the presidential election will be held on September 4.
