ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) the second biggest opposition group in the National Assembly is reportedly considering boycott of the presidential election.
PPP’s candidate for the president slot, Raza Rabbani on Thursday held meetings with the leadership of ANP, PPP (Sherpao) and PML-Q and discussed the boycott option, sources said.
“I’m meeting with different political parties to chalk out a strategy either to go to the election or to boycott it,” said Rabbani while speaking to reporters here.
He said that new schedule does not provide enough time for campaign as it would be impossible for him to visit all the provincial headquarters.
Awami National Party (ANP) also announced its support for the PPP-nominated candidate after a meeting between Rabbani and ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan.
ANP leader expressed reservations over the Supreme Court order to hold presidential elections on July 30, instead of August 6 as earlier announced by the Election Commission.
Wali said that although his party has decided to support Rabbani, a decision to boycott the election in protest against Supreme Court judgment will be taken later in the evening.
Separately, Rabbani-led PPP delegation met PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and discussed the presidential race.
Both sides discussed the option of boycotting the presidential election, sources said.
Talking to media after the meeting, Shujaat Hussain expressed his desire for a consensus candidate for the presidential election. He said his party had to consult with other parties the strategy for presidential election.
Meanwhile, PPP’s senior leader Khursheed Shah contacted MQM’s parliamentary leader Farooq Sattar and reportedly exchanged views over a possible boycott of election.
