Islamabad (Staff Report): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday approved the nomination papers of Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) Aitzaz Ahsan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Dr Arif Alvi and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman for the presidential election.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan scrutinised the nomination papers after the three presidential candidates appeared before the commission along with their proposers and seconders.
On Monday, Aitzaz Ahsan Dr Arif Alvi and Maulana Fazlur Rehman submitted their nomination papers for the presidential race.
Talking to newsmen after submitting his nomination papers, Aitzaz Ahsan said his nomination for the slot was the party's decision.
The PPP's nominee admitted that the PTI will benefit if the opposition parties field more than one candidate for the presidential race.
Aitzaz said he has been in politics since 1964 and during this period, he always stood up against the dictatorship.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other opposition parties except PPP nominated Maulana Fazlur Rehman as their candidate for the slot.
The decision of Fazl’s nomination came after PPP and other opposition parties failed to field a joint candidate for the presidential race.
According to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the candidates have to withdraw their nomination papers till Thursday August 30.
Polling for election of President will be held on September 4 in which members of Senate, National Assembly and four provincial assemblies will cast their votes.