Presidential candidate Senator Raza Rabbani. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Raza Rabbani expressed concern over the fact that the Supreme Court decided the earlier date for the election as July 30 instead of August 6, whereas the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is an independent body.
“Today’s decision is a decision of our struggle”, Senator Raza Rabbani said. He further went on to say that this move by the Supreme Court and the ECP was seen a move towards “one-unit”, which he considered dangerous.
Rabbani further stated that the dates did not make sense logistically as the candidates are expected to stay in Islamabad till the scrutiny is over, visit all the provincial assemblies to ask for votes once free and then return to Islamabad to cast their vote.
He said that it was unfair that not all parties were heard like the PML-N and that they should have been given the chance to discuss and decide the date.
Talking to the Express Tribune, ANP senator Haji Muhammad Adeel said that ANP would also boycott the election due to the change in election schedule. He said that his members would not cast their vote in any assembly.
‘No objection’
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s presidential candidate Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed while speaking to Express News said, “I didn’t have an objection with the Supreme Court’s decision then, and I don’t have an objection now.”
According to Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed, the Supreme Court is due to send out notices to only those who have a “vested interest”. The ECP falls in to that category; however the 24 presidential candidates do not.
COMMENTS (26)
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@ imran Nizamabadi. Which court be knocked ,by p.p.p to file a pettition ?? will u pls name the court ?? do u mean the court of justics Arsalan Iftikhar ??
I bet that Chowdhry wants extention from Nawaz Sharif......????
Raza Rabbani is a decent nomination but unfortunately such nominations are made when there is slim chance to win
when every effort failed for a single opposition candidate ,they 22-cot ,zidee bachay
Although there i nothing rong in the decision of SC, there is strong belief that hnourable courts are tilted towards PML N. Instead of lying down its foot in favor of PML N, the hnourable SC should have advised the ECP to call all the parties taking part in presidential election,and deciside the date with consensus at its end. To be more transparent and fair in its judgement, SC should have heared PPP and PTI before handing down the decision. However boycoot on the part of PPP is nothing but to escape a sure defeat.
@Kamil: My friend there is something called constitution which is the supreme law of this land.. it neither allows members to sit in Aitkaaf and skip the vote nor it empowers SC to change the schedule.. secondly, there is always a due process of law where if u accuse me, shariah provides me the right to defend myself...if u r so keen on following religion than you should also held this important condition of shariah important too..
I must quote an example of Hazart Ali here wherein his armor was stolen by a kaafir.. He went to the court and Qazi asked him to produce witnesses and he produced his sons as witness,... Kazi rejected the witnesses saying that children cannot be witnesses for father..
same goes here.. how can you punish me or decide against me without first giving me my right granted under any law whether religious or not?
Its ironic that PPP didn't nominated Raza Rabbani as its canidate when it had numbers in their favour to get him elected and instead they chose a corruption tainted person for the slot and now when they have ZERO chance of winning,they are creating undue fuss.
They should file a petition in court if they think something illegal is being done. According to constitution new President should be elected a month before sitting presdent's tenure ends. Presidential elections can be held ahead of that date but not beyond that date. So clearly nothing illegal is being done here.
Finally a good decision by PPP. EC has no power for any decision. Worldwide shame for our country.
Good decision, Protest against biased courts.
@Blithe: For our understanding, can u please discuss the 18th amendment specially the clauses which are causing 'insolving problems' for the country.
What happened to the CHAMPIONS OF DEMOCRACY?
Whenever a party starts talk of boycott you can bet your last buck that no way on earth that political party had any chance of winning.
SC has done a favour to PML N. Lets see how PML N reciprocates. Give extension to the CJP. May be.
RR is a good candidate for President although PPP did not nominate him as senate chairman a few years ago.He is a strong believer in democracy, federation and provincial rights.With the present numbers he is going to lose to Mamoon hence PPP's decision to boycott the election will be taken negatively.I thought PPP should have taken part in the election with reservations.No doubt that the SC judgement is a little harsh but when we as a nation will start accepting the judgments from the highest court?
its good decision many ways.. this way new president would be controversial. PMLn may go to court for review of this decision. as PMLn will win the election.
@Sonya: what favour??? PMLN requested that since many a lawmakers go to umrah or aitekaf in last ashrah of ramadan where 6th august falls and SC let the EC to go ahead on 30th, what's wrong about it??? if pp people don't sit in aitekaf thay could care for others what's wrong with this but they create a fuss to act as mazloom to divert people's attenton from their massive corruption that destroyed this country
@Bhatti PK: What? Once you grow up, you'll know what is right from wrong
Raza Ranabni is the architect of the mindless 18th amendment because of which Pakistan is facing insolvable problems.
What, no PPP? Good riddance!!
What a country where the highest court is such that its actions are favoring only one party (PML N) continuously against the others. Shame to us worldwide.
SC should have listened to other stakeholders.
Though not a fan of PPP, but this seems to be a sensible decision to refrain from court-protected presidential elections.
Grapes are sour
It doesn't make any difference. PPP still continuing with dirty polictics of 90's.
Blow to the democracy !! lol I am ashamed of these politicians !! At least aitzaz and rabbani used to have some sanity ..
Good decision by PPP. Finally, after a long time.