July 30 elections: QIP chairman joins race for presidency

Munir Shirazi says he will end corruption.


Our Correspondent July 24, 2013
We will try to encourage tolerance and reconciliation Qaumi Ittehad Party Chairman Munir Ahmad Shirazi. DESIGN: EMA ANIS

PESHAWAR:


Qaumi Ittehad Party (QIP) chairman Munir Ahmad Shirazi submitted his nomination papers on Wednesday to contest the presidential elections.


He submitted his papers to the presiding officer and Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan at his office.

Shirazi is a senior clerk in the Income Tax Department who also filed for nomination in the presidential elections against President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf in 2007.

Speaking to journalists at the PHC, the 57-year-old aspirant said he decided to join the race to bring positive socio-economic change in the country. “I am against corruption, which is why I have decided to contest,” he said, adding progress cannot be achieved unless corruption is wiped out.

I will eradicate the ‘menace of corruption’ to make sure the sacrifices of our forefathers in the creation of Pakistan do not go in vain, said Shirazi. He added time has come to forge unity to make this country a true democratic Islamic welfare state as envisioned. “The destiny of this country lies in democracy and my participation in the elections will strengthen this system.”



Hailing from Kakshal Peshawar, Shirazi said if elected, he would work for development, progress and peace to portray a better image of the country globally. “Efforts would be made to promote tolerance and reconciliation,” said Shirazi adding if nominated, he would respect the agendas of all political parties.

Nomination papers will be scrutinised in Islamabad on July 26 and elections will be held on July 30. Shirazi has stronger opponents in the race. He will be contesting against Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s (PML-N) Mamnoon Hussain and Pakistan Peoples Party’s Raza Rabbani, among others. The Awami National Party, Balochistan National Party-Awami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam have also backed Rabbani’s candidacy.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2013.

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