Sheikh Rasheed backs PTI presidential candidate

AML chief voices support for Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed, but expresses surprise at PTI for fielding candidate.

RAWALPINDI: Awami Muslim League (AML) President and MNA Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed extended support to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s (PTI) presidential candidate Justice (retd) Wajiuddin Ahmed for the presidential elections scheduled for Tuesday.

Rasheed expressed these views at a press conference on Monday which he jointly organised with PTI’s presidential candidate Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed who had arrived at Lal Haveli to gain support in the presidential elections.

Rasheed, though, could not contain his surprise at PTI's decision to field a candidate and said that he was unable to understand why PTI chief Imran Khan had decided contest the presidential elections after the alleged riggings during the May 11 general elections.

“I am observing the swiftly changing political situation in the country and will hold a meeting with Imran to convince him to boycott the presidential elections. The decision will only be taken after I have cast my vote in the presidential election” he said.

Referring to the election symbol of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), Rasheed said that the 'Tiger' has disfigured the face of democracy by smashing its paws.

He said that that PML-N’s visit to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) headquarters 90 has exposed the party’s (PML-N’s) two-faced policy as MQM had been declared a foe by the ruling party in the past.

He said that that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was a clever politician who had chosen Justice (retd) Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui as his presidential candidate in 2008 but after seeing a clear defeat, he has now chosen Mamnoon Hussain with bright chances to win the 2013 presidential elections.

“The entire system of the country has been hijacked by the secretaries exported from Punjab. This also worries the Sindhis” he alleged.

Justice (retd) Wajihuddin, while speaking on the occasion, said that he had not shown up at Lal Haveli to beg Rasheed for his vote in the presidential election, rather to convince the AML President to join hands with PTI to make the competition tough for opponents.

Referring to Pakistan Peoples Party to withdraw its candidate from the presidential election, he said that boycotts by opposing parties would pave an easy way for the “Sarkari candidate” to become the President of Pakistan.

Rasheed said that he would hold a meeting with his party members before announcing a final decision.