ISLAMABAD: All coalition partners, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), within the governing alliance at the Center, have pledged their support for the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) nominee, Asif Ali Zardari, in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for March 9, Saturday.
This agreement followed a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at his official residence in Islamabad for representatives from allied parties. The Istehkam-e-Pakistan (IPP) and other smaller parties are also part of the coalition, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
During the gathering, PM Shehbaz announced that Asif Zardari is the consensus candidate for the presidential position, and all allies will collaborate to address the country’s current challenges. He expressed confidence that Zardari would be elected president within the next two to three days, highlighting the two-thirds majority secured by the PML-N and its allies in the National Assembly.
Acknowledging the mandate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independent candidates in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PM Shehbaz emphasized unity in moving forward together. Echoing this sentiment, Zardari pledged to support PM Shehbaz in facing challenges and working towards the country’s development.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto drew a parallel between Zardari and the Queen of England, envisioning the upcoming president as a ceremonial head of state. All allies, except MQM-Pakistan, had previously announced their support for Zardari in the presidential election.
However, recent developments indicate that the MQM-P will now back Zardari, resolving previous differences over power-sharing. Faisal Karim Kundi, a PPP leader, expressed confidence that Zardari would secure over 400 votes in the upcoming election, scheduled for March 9.
In this electoral event, Zardari will compete against Mahmood Khan Achakzai, nominated by the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). The election, conducted through a secret ballot, will involve an Electoral College of 692 votes, including senators, Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), and votes from provincial assemblies. The candidate with the most votes will be declared the winner by the chief election commissioner, and the federal government will announce the results through a public notification, as outlined in Article 41(3) of the Constitution.
