Opposition fails to reach consensus, to announce candidate for presidential polls today
The name of the candidate will be announced tomorrow
MURREE (Dunya News) – An All Parties Comference (APC) of the grand opposition chaired by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ( PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif could not reach consensus to bring a joint candidate of the opposition for the elections of the president to be held on September 4.
The meeting which was attended by the leaders of 11 opposition parties including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) , Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Awami National Party (ANP), Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and others continued for around four hours.
During the meeting, the participants expressed grave concerns regarding PPP and complaint of the party’s withdrawal from premier elections and deciding against voting in favour of Shehbaz Sharif.
PML-N leaders Abdul Qadir Baloch, Ameer Muqam, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Sardar Ayaz SAadiq, Ahsam Iqbal among other were present in the meeting.
Yousaf Raza Gillani and Khurshid Shah were leading the PPP delegation which includes Sherry Rehman, Qamar-uz-Zaman Kaira and others.
Similarly, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Liaquat Baloch, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi and Maulana Awais Noorani from MMA were participating in APC.
Talking to media after the meeting, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said that the opposition parties have agreed to bring a joint candidate of the opposition for the elections of the president to be held on September 4, adding that the name of the candidate will be announced today.
He said that the PPP representatives have sought time till tonight to consult with their top leadership.
The former minister said that all the opposition parties have supported the proposal for giving right to vote to overseas Pakistan, but the Election Commission has introduced a system to this effect in haste.
Speaking on the occasion, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said it was need of the time that the opposition parties remain united.
PTI has already nominated Arif Alvi for the slot of President.
PPP SEEKS SUPPORT FOR AITZAZ
PPP is seeking support of other parties for its candidate Aitzaz Ahsan for the top slot.
A consultative meeting of the PPP headed by ex-opposition leader in NA Khurshid Shah was held earlier which was attended by Mian Raza Rabbani, Aitzaz Ahsan, Sherry Rehman, Qamar Zaman Kaira and Chaudhry Manzoor.
Shah also held telephonic contacts with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Hasil Bizenjo and Mehmood Achakzai.
PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq also made efforts in this regard as he communicated with Maulana, Shah, Asfand Yar and others over the issue. The party is considering five names including Sartaj Aziz, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Abdul Qadir Baloch.
PPP leader Aitzaz has termed the demand of PML-N’s Pervez Rasheed regarding apology from Nawaz Sharif as ‘non-serious’.
Rasheed had earlier said that PML-N would consider supporting Ahsan for the post of president "if he visits Adiala jail and apologises to Nawaz Sharif for his remarks".
JOINT NA SESSION FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Speaker National Assembly (NA) Asad Qaiser has summoned meeting of members of parliament on September 4 in Islamabad for election of new President of Pakistan.
The meeting will be held at Parliament House at 10:00 am.
The ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has given name of Arif Alvi for the slot of president while grand opposition has also accelerated contacts to field joint candidate in the election.
