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Pakistan

MQM says Pervaiz Ashraf unacceptable as PM

Dunya News

The MQM has opposed the name of Raja Pervaiz Ashraf for the premiership candidacy.

According to sources, Pervaiz Ashraf is notorious for committing alleged corruption in rental power case.The MQM has favoured Qamar Zaman Kaira in this regard while the PML-Q has no objection over candidacy of Raja Pervaiz Ashraf as premiership.It is worthy of the note after disqualification of Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, the party had nominated Makhdoom Shahabuddin for next prime minister while Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s nomination papers were filed as covering candidate.The situation diametrically changed when the Anti Narcotics Forces issued non-bailable arrest warrants to PM Makhdoom Shahbuddin.As a result, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf came on frontline for premiership but later the MQM opposed his name as he is accused of committing corruption in rental power case.According to sources, the name of Makhdoom Shahabuddin was dropped due to his involvement in the Ephedrine scandal case.Earlier an anti-narcotics court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Makhdoom Shahabuddin and Ali Musa Gilani.It is expected that Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will be introduced as the PPP’s candidate for prime minister to coalition partners later today (Thursday) and a power sharing formula will be discussed.Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had earlier been chosen by the PPP to be the covering candidate for Makhdoom Shahabuddin.Three MNAs from the PPP (Makhdoom Shahbuddin, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira) have filed nomination papers.Nomination papers have also been filed by Mehtab Abbasi from the PML-N and Maulana Fazlur Rehman from the JUI-F.The new prime minister of Pakistan will be elected during the National Assembly session on Friday.The position fell vacant when Yusuf Raza Gilani was disqualified as prime minister following the Supreme Court’s verdict in the NA Speaker’s ruling case.