Presidential polls: We don't want PML-N to have an open goal, says Imran Khan
PTI has decided to participate in the elections after extensive consultation.
Wajihuddin Ahmed (R), a retired Supreme Court judge and presidential candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party sits along with party chairman, Imran Khan (2R), addressing a press conference in Islamabad on July 26, 2013. Pakistan's new president will be elected on 30 July, by members of the upper and lower houses of parliament and of four regional assemblies. PHOTO: AFP.
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Friday that PTI will participate in the presidential elections as they do not want Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to have an "open goal".
Imran said that his party did not agree with the Supreme Court's decision to hold the presidential polls earlier than it was initially scheduled, despite agreeing that it did not violate the constitution.
"PTI will participate in the presidential elections," asserted Imran, adding that this decision was reached after extensive consultation within the party.
Imran added that holding the elections earlier gave them no time to put up a reasonable opposition.
Talking about PTI's presidential candidate Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed, Imran said that he is a man of principles and would make a good president.
Addressing the press conference alongside Imran, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed said, "A level playing field is not being given to political parties."
He said that even though the Supreme Court did not violate the Constitution by agreeing to hold the elections early, the Elections Commission of Pakistan should have asked for a "30-day corridor".
Ahmed is a retired senior judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and a former member of Pakistan's higher judiciary.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced on Friday that they will support Ahmed in the upcoming presidential elections.
"We are thankful to JI for supporting our candidate," said Imran.
Presidential elections which were earlier scheduled for August 6 were brought forward to be held on July 30, on the petition filed by PML-N senator Raja Zafarul Haq in the Supreme Court.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Friday that PTI will participate in the presidential elections as they do not want Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to have an "open goal".
Imran said that his party did not agree with the Supreme Court's decision to hold the presidential polls earlier than it was initially scheduled, despite agreeing that it did not violate the constitution.
"PTI will participate in the presidential elections," asserted Imran, adding that this decision was reached after extensive consultation within the party.
Imran added that holding the elections earlier gave them no time to put up a reasonable opposition.
Talking about PTI's presidential candidate Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed, Imran said that he is a man of principles and would make a good president.
Addressing the press conference alongside Imran, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed said, "A level playing field is not being given to political parties."
He said that even though the Supreme Court did not violate the Constitution by agreeing to hold the elections early, the Elections Commission of Pakistan should have asked for a "30-day corridor".
Ahmed is a retired senior judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and a former member of Pakistan's higher judiciary.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced on Friday that they will support Ahmed in the upcoming presidential elections.
"We are thankful to JI for supporting our candidate," said Imran.
Presidential elections which were earlier scheduled for August 6 were brought forward to be held on July 30, on the petition filed by PML-N senator Raja Zafarul Haq in the Supreme Court.