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.
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.
COMMENTS (35)
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@Umer:
That 65% pakistani belongs to punjabis themselves and they have all the right to rule their own areas.
@Jawad:
In the last five years 65% of Pakistan was ruled by Punjabis so don’t blame non-Punjabis who were continuously under attack by Punjabi supported Taliban and Lashkars.
imran u r making a big mistake.u ll repent
You IK would have gained more by boycott. You would have reduced the credibility of PML N president. I don't know what is your argument?
Sir Imran has made the correct decision for the Pakistan quoom. He will always be the best baller of all the times. Zee Feeder System.
One thing is clear. No news gets so many comments like Imran's.
@ Khuram : The PML(N) played the role of friendly opposition and did not make any efforts to stop the implementation of destruction agenda of PPP led Government.
@Umer: Yeah nothing can satisfy egos,,,,,,happy trolling....!
Only PTI stands out in this dirty ugly Pakistani politics.
@PTI Karachi: 'Lahoris hate punjabis'.. u certainly have flipped out after loosing these elections.
@Xnain:
He is nothing but a Punjabi establishment tout. Always has been. Read up his history.
Soon both of them will become irrelevant. PMLN has deep roots in punjab dominated judiciary, bureaucracy, and military. Rest matters little.
@Umer: You really have quite significant inferiority complex my friend. Broden your mental perspective its an urdu speaking running up for presidential election. They say ignorance is a bliss it seems that in your case education-mental maturity paradox prevails.
few years back ppp taunting PTI why they boycott the 2008 elections. they are cowards and now who is coward..
Imran is tracing the path of Shabas Sharif at the expense of Pakistani people.
Why Sir? Why do not want Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to have an “open goal”? This is no logic. What is bad in PMLN nominee? You dont believe in consensus?
He did not take oath under first Musharraf PCO and resigned from the post of a supreme court judge!
while our current super judge gladly took it. I am all for this guy to be President but I do not expect any good from our corrupt parliamentarians.
What difference will it make? You will lose anyways. Stop these useless press conferences and run KPK
If MQM also decides to boycot the election you can kiss the Federation bye bye.
@Umer: A chance was given to non-lahore party, which pushed paksitan into dark ages.
BTW I am not a punjabi with no sympathy with any lahori at all.
Imran Khan, please stop drinking...
@Umer:
'...Punjabi supremist agenda.' Wondering what made you utter such hateful words? I aint Punjabi but totally find them inappropriate, irrational and out of place. Imran and Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed arent Punjabi and so what if they were punjabis - whether a party wants to participate in election or not it is PTI's prerogative.
Keep on fooling the public. I think there are other important issues that we can focus on but our politicans are too busy making an issue out of NON-ISSUE.
@Umer When for the past five years non-Punjabis were destroying the country then where were you that time?. From Railways, PIA to Steel Mills you have destroyed our every institution and Did Punjabis complain that time that they are not in Power? I am assuring you that this time Punjabis are in power and you will see a definite change in Governance and just wait for sometime and then comment and just see who will steer the country in the right direction.
You got to be kidding us. This appeasement of the judiciary will not take you too far. This judgment is wrong, the judgement to deny testing the thumb impressions was wrong. And you will see what happens in the local bodies elections. PMLN's judicial wing will roast you alive!
PTI has taken a good step.
and you intend to do what with your 33 and reducing seats?
PTI is the B team of Naan League. Dr Aftab Nabi. Toronto.
@Ahmed:
No, PPP just does not like it when Punjabi judiciary and Punjabi politicians decide everything among themselves and treat other provinces like occupied slaves.
its a right decision by PTI to participate in presidential elections so that PML-N will not get an open ground and PPP boycotting shows that PPP wants to give an open ground to PML-N
Good Move, PTI Making some sense.
All takht-e-lahore parties are the same. When push comes to shove they are all one and have the same Punjabi supremist agenda.