Several file nomination papers for slot of Pakistan’s president

ISLAMABAD: The candidates of three major political parties — Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) — on Tuesday filed their nomination papers for election to the office of the president of Pakistan.

Federal Law Minister Farooq Naek submitted the nomination papers of PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari to Chief Election Commissioner Qazi Muhammad Farooq in presence of several party leaders. The PPP, led by Zardari — widower of Benazir Bhutto — nominated Faryal Talpur, a sister of Zardari, as covering candidate.

The PML-N led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif submitted nomination papers of former chief justice of Pakistan Justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui while Roedad Khan submitted nomination papers as covering candidate of PML-N.

The PML-Q, which ruled the country until November last year under the patronage of former President Pervez Musharraf, has submitted nomination papers of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed for election to the top office of the country.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held till August 28 whereas can withdraw papers till August 30. The final list of candidates will be issued on August 30.

Earlier, PML-N formally announced to part ways with the ruling coalition led by the PPP. “After thorough deliberations and keeping all the recent developments into view the party (PML-N) has decided to split with the ruling coalition,” Sharif announced after expressing his frustration on the way “the PPP disillusioned” him and his party mainly on the judges issue.

PML-N Chief also showed the copy of the agreement inked by Zardari with him outlining the steps regarding the impeachment of Musharraf and restoration of the judges of superior courts who were deposed by Musharraf on November 3 last year. “We assured Asif Zardari of support without getting any ministry but he forced us into getting ministries and our ministers took oath of their office from the-then president Musharraf despite having reservations,” Sharif said.

The former prime minister said under the agreement reached between PPP and PML-N, the judges were to be restored after impeachment or resignation of Musharraf but they had not been reinstated despite Musharraf’s resignation on August 18.

“Facing severe internal and external pressure, I wrote a detailed letter to PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and allowed him time to ensure implementation on the agreements,” Sharif said. “But Zardari in an interview said agreements are not Holy Quran or Hadith which cannot be changed.”