Fazl calls for PPP candidate to step down from presidential elections

QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief and presidential candidate Maulana Fazlur Rehman is still optimistic over his chances in the elections, and said that it will be the opposition’s victory if the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) candidate quits the race.

Addressing a press conference after meeting with Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmud Khan Achakzai, he said that having two candidates by the opposition would give a runaway victory to the government’s candidate.

Maulana Rehman said that they desire to strengthen democracy and institutions in the country and it was necessary for the opposition to play a strong and constructive role.

Therefore, he said that the PPP’s presidential candidate should step down and the entire opposition should support him to ensure his victory.

“The opposition has a strong role in the nation. We want the the PPP to be alongside in this democratic journey. If PPP had supported us in the prime minister’s election then Shehbaz Sharif would have won by a large majority. Still if the PPP supports us then we can win the presidential elections,” he said.

He further said that Achakzai’s party will support him in the presidential elections, and both will also try to convince the PPP. He called for the PPP candidate Aitzaz Ahsan to step down to ensure his victory in the elections.

“Today we have the Mahmud and Maulana alliance. My father was also named Mehmood. Having two candidates by the opposition will give a clear victory to the government,” he said.

The JUI-F chief said that democratic institutions should be strengthen, while the objectives of independence have not yet been fulfilled, and politics, economy, and defence continue to be pressurised while there is a need to strengthen national sovereignty.

Achakzai said that they will discuss the matter with the PPP over the presidential candidate to step down. He said that they should forget the past as a better and prosperous nation is their destination.

He said the real change will be if Imran Khan is the prime minister and Maulana Fazlur Rehman is the president.