PPP hopeful Fazl will drop out from presidential race

LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira on Sunday expressed optimism that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the opposition’s candidate for the presidential election, will drop out from the race and convince the PML-N and other opposition parties to support Aitzaz Ahsan. 

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Kaira said Mr Ahsan will be president if the JUI-F chief agreed to their demand.

He said his party tried to convince Mr Rehman during an all-parties conference and a separate meeting to persuade all other opposition parties to agree on the name of Mr Ahsan.

Flanked by PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah and Mr Ahsan, Kaira said they will fight the election and they will do so but it would have been better if Maulana Fazlur Rehman had accepted their request.

He said they went to the PML-N to seek their support for the PPP’s presidential candidate and were also willing to go to jail to speak to former premier Nawaz Sharif in this regard.

Kaira said it would be better for the country if Aitzaz Ahsan assumes the office of President of Pakistan. The president here don’t have much powers, but if Mr Ahsan becomes president, his powers will increase, he opined.

Khursheed Shah on the occasion said political game never ends, but continues.