Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf, (PTI) is determined
to contest the election against Nawaz. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
Despite winning the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) unconditional support, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz will find it hard to install Nawaz Sharif as the unopposed leader of the house.
The National Assembly’s third largest party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, (PTI) is determined to contest the election and will put up its nominee against Nawaz.
The first runner-up in the May 11 election, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), had decided to back Nawaz as the unopposed leader of the house and prime minister. In the beginning MQM, like the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, announced that it would field its own candidates for the June 5 elections in the lower house.
But then on Monday the MQM chief had a change of heart, and decided to endorse Nawaz as the prime minister.
Altaf said due to the critical situation in the country and the challenges faced by the new government, he wished to support Nawaz as a goodwill gesture.
However, having gained the support of one of the opposition parties, the other group, PTI, has nominated party stalwart Makhdoom Javed Hashmi to contest elections in the lower house against Nawaz.
“We had already nominated Javed Hashmi for the slot and his nomination papers will be submitted on Tuesday,” said party spokesperson Shireen Mazari.
She said her party has not changed its stance and would field its own candidate even after MQM’s move to support Nawaz. Nobody from the PML-N has approached PTI in this regard, she added.
President Asif Ali Zardari in a panel interview on Sunday also expressed his desire to elect Sharif as a unanimous prime minister as his party had elected former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani in 2008. However, the PPP’s parliamentary party has not yet finalised their decision to support Nawaz or bring in its own candidate. Yet, the latest development shows that it is likely that the former ruling party will vote for Nawaz Sharif.
Apart from PTI and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, all other parties will vote for Nawaz Sharif as they did for the PML-N speaker and deputy speaker elections.
“I will give my single vote to Javed Hashmi and I don’t think that there is a chance to elect Nawaz Sharif as a unanimous prime minister,” said Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
PML-N leaders could not be reached for comment.
The last day for submitting nomination papers for the candidates of the leader of the house is today.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2013.
COMMENTS (14)
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If other parties don't vote Nawaz Sharif then PML-N does have good enough simple 2/3 majority to elect Nawaz Sharif as the PM and Nawaz Sharif shall be the next Pakistan's PM Insha Allah Almighty by the blessings and favors of Allah Almighty.......
Why isn't IK himself contesting in an exercise of a mere academic value? Or its just another way of ridiculing Javed Hashmi. Gauging the IQ of IK, it can be easily ascertained that he would even have a hard time taking oath from his nemesis - Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
contesting it a good sign even there is no chance of winning but giving a mental exercise will pave greater dividends for the politics. un opposing in prov assembly was not good, they must have given a tough time to Mr.Pervez Khatak so that he could be on guard during is CM tenure whatever he has.
Nothing makes difference even the PM elected unopposed, the opposition must have integrity and should have firm stance. Gilani was unopposed and he became authoritative but fate could not protect him?
Even in case 80% of PML-N MNA do not show up still PTI has no chance for any success. All politicians of Sindh have decided to go with the verdict of people and give NS vote of confidence so he can do something for the country with renewed strength and confidence. Opposition does not always mean one has to oppose no matter what. This is called opposition for the sake of opposition. When can we be civilized and bow to the will of the people. Contesting against NS is ridiculing themselves.
@sehr siddiqui: Sir i think you dont understand, these gestures show you point of view. That is why it is important if PM was elected unanimously or not.
It PTI of course @rizwan:
This is the reason I was against PTI. Immature leadership, immature party.
@sehr siddiqui:
Get a life, Opposition means Opposition no adjustment [period].
@sehr siddiqui: By your standards then Pakistan shouldn't contest World Cup Football qalifying rounds or 100m / 400m etc Olympics simply because we know very well we'll lose. Bro, one thing is for sure "there will be no more friendly opposition" anymore.
@Sehr , knowing you would loose but still field candidates is exactly how should it happen and has been happening in all the democracies in the world. People just show there lack of understanding about democracy when they criticize PTI for fielding candidates. And this is also called sportsmanship, you compete till the end.
Unanimous vote is an honour for the parliament, it helps democracy and gives strong message to undemocratic forces. PTI does not understand these things now but hopefully it will learn with experience.
Fielding Javed Hashmi por Premiership, knowing well that he will lose, is opposition for the sake of opposition. This is where PTI is showing its political immaturity. While Captain does not understand these non-cricket sophistication, Javed Hashmi or Shah Mahmood Qureshi should have advised the Captain. this is the first political blunder of PTI which it will regret if PML-N also oppose PTI in KPK just for the sake of opposition.
muq muqa.... so who is B team of zardari?