“We condemn the Supreme Court decision which was given without hearing the viewpoints of other parties," says Senator Rabbani. PHOTO: ONLINE
Incensed by the Supreme Court order, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – the second biggest opposition group in the National Assembly – said on Wednesday it was considering boycott of the presidential election.
“The PPP is considering whether to participate in the election or not,” senior lawyer and PPP Senator Aitzaz Ahsan told a news conference in Islamabad. “We will take a decision after consulting our allied parties,” he added.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Awami National Party and Balochistan National Party (Awami) announced on Tuesday that they would support the PPP candidate, Senator Raza Rabbani, in the presidential election.
Senior PPP politicians, including Senator Rabbani, Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Senator Farhatullah Babar were also present at the news conference.
“We condemn the Supreme Court decision which was given without hearing the viewpoints of other parties. It gives the impression that the apex court and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz have forged an alliance,” said a visibly angry Rabbani.
He added that the ‘one-sided decision’ would affect his campaign. “The nomination papers are submitted today, while scrutiny will be held on July 26. This means I cannot leave the city [Islamabad],” he said.
“How can I campaign in Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad for the provincial assemblies as well as Parliament in two days,” he said, adding that he belonged to the middle class and did not own a private jet.
Senator Aitzaz said the PML-N has got a decision of its choice. “The decision was announced after a preliminary hearing, which has created many doubts,” he added. “There is no constitutional base for this decision. Pakistan was established in the holy month of Ramazan, but the Quaid-i-Azam did not raise any objection,” he said.
Aitzaz maintained that the implementation of the Constitution could not be stopped even in a war situation. “Even elections can’t be stopped during wartime,” he added.
Aitzaz said the presidential election schedule could only be changed when the National Assembly was dissolved. “The PML-N, Supreme Court and the ECP have joined hands to deny the PPP a fair opportunity. The PPP had also lost the May 11 elections due to a conspiracy,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2013.
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Controversies and Scandals: This is their only expertise besides raising peoples amn committee
6th august was falling in the last ashra of ramazan when many lawmakers would be away in aitekaf and umrah that's why the date got changed but this feudal party has to create a fuss out of every thing to appear mazloom, quite frankly we the common Pakistanis are sick and tired of this negative influence on this country called peoples party
It is not the matter of Win or Lose - "ITS THE MATTER OF ETHICS / MORALITY / LEGALITY" And for PML(N) IT DOES NOT MATTER.
“How can I campaign in Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad for the provincial assemblies as well as Parliament in two days,”
Mr. Rabbani you do not need to campaign at all, its just useless, PPP please rest at home, we have seen enough of you.
@Ch. Allah Daad: PTI Fobia? Get well soon...
@Tch tch: The overall electoral for Presidency also includes Provincial Assemblies also and each assembly is in different place my friend....
can never expect anyhting positive or constructive for this country from this "party"
Mr Aitezaz the PPP articulate must be having nightmare these days of his decision to chauffeur around the country the great inscrutable silent (visionary) judicial high priest .. He sounded today used and discarded by the way side during his interview on ARY TV. I truly felt sorry for him though I still respect him as an upright an honest intellectual and nationalist but alas he failed to read and was carried away by the atmospherics of the time and never tried to step back and review . This time he feels personally injured and betrayed .
I am glad that he spoke for the first then full justice done was so obvious and transparent .
It gives the impression that the apex court and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz have forged an alliance, Makes sense, sad but true !!
chowdhry want extension from Nawaz Sharif......?????
What exactly is the controversy. Re read it twice. And how does one "campaign" for presidential elections.
All the voters go to work in the same building.
their opinion about sc is correct
Question is not about winning or losing. It principle period.
PPP following footsteps of PTI.
When you know you don't stand any chance of winning, all sort of excuses come to play. I expect nothing from other PPP leaders but certainly better from Aitzaz Ahsan.
Whats the point. You will loose anyways.
Its better for PPP not take part in presidential election all know who is winner.
Please for bibi's sake "you and your PPP cabal please "conspiracy" away from our lives and Pakistan for good.