PPP, PML-N decide to field joint presidential candidate

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to field a joint candidate for the slot of President. Sources said that an all parties conference will be convened for consultation on the joint candidate. “The APC will be held in Murree on August 25 and Shehbaz Sharif will host it,” he said. Earlier, the PML-N had objected to the nomination of Aitzaz Ahsan as presidential candidate by the Pakistan People’s Party. The PML-N met here under the chair of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and President Shehbaz Sharif and took several decisions. Sources said that the PML-N said that the PPP did not take them into confidence over it, adding that Aitzaz was on forefront to divide the opposition during sit-in protest. It was further decided that presidential candidate should be nominated with consensus and through the Pakistan Alliance. “If the PPP failed to develop consensus over it, the PML-N will nominate Abdul Qadir Baloch for the slot.” Sources said that the Pakistan Alliance will meet in Islamabad or Murree on August 24. Two days back, the PPP nominated Aitzaz Ahsan as its presidential candidate. The Election Commission of Pakistan announced on Thursday that the presidential election will be held on September 4. Prime Minister Imran Khan has nominated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Arif Alvi for the slot. Meanwhile, a PPP delegation called on the PML-N leaders to discuss the presidential election. The PPP delegation comprised Syed Khurshid Shah and Raza Rabbani, while Ahsan Iqbal, Ayaz Sadiq and Rana Tanvir represented the PML-N. After the talks, Ahsan Iqbal said that the opposition wants to field a joint candidate for the President slot. “After Eid, a meeting of the opposition will be held. Farhatullah Babar has already stated that Aitezaz Ahsan is not the final candidate,” he said. The PML-N leader said that rumours should be avoided with regard to the presidential candidate. “The government will get benefit if the opposition did not unite,” he said.