Summary PM Nawaz Sharif has lauded PTI's decision to take part in Presidential election.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Talking to a delegation of Parliamentarians from Balochistan here on Friday‚ Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said boycotting the election is against the norms of democracy. He said PPP should demonstrate sportsman spirit by taking part in the elections.
The PM appreciated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf s decision to take part in the Presidential election. He said participation in the election will further strengthen democracy in the country.
Earlier, PPP’s candidate Raza Rabbani announced to boycott the Presidential election rescheduled on July 30.
The announcement was made during a press conference called by PPP leaders on Friday.
Addressing the press conference Senator Rabbani said the decision was in line with his party efforts to strengthen democracy. He said the Supreme Court rescheduled the presidential election after listening to only one party, adding that his party was not even given a chance to present arguments in the case.
He said today s decision was a manifestation of PPP s struggle against military and civilian dictatorships. He said his party has always struggled for strengthening of democratic institutions and the rule of law.
Rabbani said PPP took part in election campaign with serious disposition and coordinated with other political parties, adding that he also tried to bring a joint candidate with consensus.
Rabbani thanked ANP‚ PML-Q‚ BNP-Awami and other political parties who supported him for the presidential elections.
Meanwhile, he also appreciated the efforts of middle class and civil society members for their support and prayers.
Raza Rabbani was accompanied by senior leaders Makhdoom Amin Faheem and Aitzaz Ahsan in the press conference.
It is worth mentioning here that the Supreme Court on Wednesday had ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct presidential elections by July 30.
The decision came after the petition moved by senior PML-N leader Raja Zafarul Haq in light of the decision of the ECP for not deferring the earlier date fixed for 6th of August.
The government had requested the commission to re-schedule the election date as a number of parliamentarians would leave for Saudi Arabia for Umrah or performing Eitkaaf and would be unable participate in voting if it would be held on August 6.
