PPP expresses reservations over supporting Shehbaz as PM nominee

Pakistan People’s Party and others in the opposition are yet to reach a consensus with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over support for the nominee of prime minister, media reports said.

Last week, the joint opposition had nominated Shehbaz Sharif as its candidate for the prime minister, party spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed. However, the PPP is yet to announce whether it will support the PML-N’s PM nominee, expressing reservations over the call.

Like-minded opposition parties are yet to reach consensus over the name of a joint candidate for prime minister as the PPP lately expressed their reservations to the PML-N over its nominee.

PTI chairman Imran Khan will be contesting against PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif for the office of the prime minister.

Senator Sherry Rehman, when asked by journalists to confirm or reject the report, maintained that her party is yet to form consensus over the names proposed by the PML-N for the post.

“We have expressed our reservations to them,” Senator Rehman said without naming the PML-N.

NOMINATION PAPERS:

The selection of the prime minister is conditional on the submission of their nomination papers on August 16, which, if done as per schedule, would pave way for the process to be completed by the evening on the same day.

Otherwise, the selection will be done on the morning of August 17.

The PPP leader also debunked the report that the party is giving a thought to withdraw its candidate for National Assembly Speaker in favour of the PTI.

“It’s a joke to even consider it. We are certainly not doing it. We have a competent nominee. The lawmakers should accept it,” she said.

Elections for speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly will be held on August 15.

According to the schedule issued by NA Secretariat, the nomination papers for Speaker and Deputy Speaker can be submitted in the office of Secretary National Assembly by Tuesday noon.

Ayaz Sadiq said that candidates can withdraw their nomination papers before the elections.

PTI has nominated Asad Qaiser for the slot of the speaker while the joint opposition has fielded Syed Khurseed Shah for the speakership.