Alvi, Ahsan, Fazal's nomination papers accepted as presidential candidates

ISLAMABAD: The nomination papers of presidential candidates, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI)  Arif Alvi, PPP-backed Aitzaz Ahsan and Maulana Fazlur Rehaman, fielded by other opposition parties, have been approved by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday after scrutiny.

Presidential candidates were advised to appear along with their proposer and seconder before the commission in Islamabad at 10:00am.

PTI’s Dr Arif Alvi, Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Aitzaz Ahsan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman had filed their nomination papers for the presidential polls on Monday.

Dr. Arif Alvi submitted his nomination papers at Sindh High Court (SHC), whereas, following the row between PPP and PML-N, Aitzaz Ahsan submitted his nomination papers at Islamabad High Court (IHC) as PPP-backed candidate. The grand alliance of opposition parties, excluding PPP, fielded Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who also submitted his papers at IHC.

The opposition led by Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) remained divided over PPP’s decision to nominate Ahsan for president causing split in the strength of the combined opposition.

With a divided opposition, which is otherwise formidable in numbers, the Presidential Election on September 04, will prove a cakewalk for the PTI candidate, Dr. Arif Alvi, as the opposition votes will be divided between two candidates, PPP’s Aitzaz Ahsan and JUI-F chief Fazlur Rahman.