ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has called an ‘All Parties Conference’ today to consult opposition parties regarding joint nominee for a presidential candidate.
The major parties invited to the conference include the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) and Awami National Party.
The PPP has nominated veteran politician Aitzaz Ahsan as its presidential nominee, while PTI has already named Arif Alvi as its contestant for the slot. However, PML-N hasn’t come up with its final name.
According to reports, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal ─ an alliance of five religious parties ─ is ready to participate in the APC today. The MMA delegation would comprise MMA and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, JUI-F Secretary General Liaquat Baloch, and Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan-Noorani’s (JUP-N) Shah Awais Noorani.
The spokesperson said the MMA would participate enthusiastically in the 11-party grand opposition alliance’s consultative meeting.
“The presidential candidate will be discussed in the meeting,” Noorani said. The spokesperson added that the participants of the meeting would also exchange views on how to play the role of an effective opposition, and would chalk out a protest strategy against alleged rigging in the July 25 polls.
JUI-F’s Liaquat Baloch said that the MMA would hold a meeting on Aug 26 to discuss developments in the APC.
It is also reported that senior PPP leader Khursheed Shah will be representing his party in the APC.
The PML-N is not in favour of Ahsan, arguing that the PPP didn’t consult any of the parties sitting on the opposition benches before making the decision.
Tensions ballooned up between the PPP and PML-N after the former refused to vote for PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif in the Aug 17 election for the office of prime minister due to his controversial statements against the PPP leadership in the past.
PML-N leader Pervez Rasheed yesterday said that the party would consider the name of PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan for the post of president if he visits Adiala prison and apologises to Nawaz Sharif for his remarks.
Replying a whether the PML-N would support Ahsan in the presidential elections, Rasheed said that the party holding consultations with other opposition parties and wants a joint opposition candidate for the election.
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