” Presidential showdown: political parties compete for head of state position ” | GNN INFO

ISLAMABAD: Following a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for coalition partners, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) declared its support for Asif Ali Zardari, the ruling coalition’s joint candidate in the upcoming presidential election, in an announcement on Thursday.

MQM-P convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui made the announcement after meeting with a delegation led by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in the federal capital.

Siddiqui confirmed his party’s backing for Zardari’s presidential candidacy. He reiterated the party’s commitment to stand in solidarity with the ruling coalition’s choice for the presidency.

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Earlier, a delegation from the MQM-P convened with the prime minister at a dinner held at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.

According to reports, during the meeting the prime minister reportedly agreed and supported all of MQM-P’s demands.

As per sources, the prime minister in turn encouraged the MQM-P delegates to endorse the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) President Asif Ali Zardari for the presidency, stressing that MQM’s support would attract more backers for the upcoming presidential election.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari highlighted the necessity of jointly addressing Karachi’s challenges and assured his active involvement in resolving them. He expressed confidence in his father’s potential to secure a substantial victory in the presidential election.

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MQM-P’s Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stated the significance of democratic processes in Pakistan. He said that it is highly important that democratic parties engage in dialogue despite their differences to promote Pakistan’s development and progress.

Siddiqui reiterated MQM-P’s dedication to enhancing the democratic system for the betterment of Pakistan’s populace, affirming that the country’s advancement rests in the hands of its citizens.

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Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique expressed optimism regarding Zardari’s prospective triumph in the forthcoming presidential election.

Asif Ali Zardari is expected to go up against Mahmood Khan Achakzai during the presidential elections. Achakzai is supported by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) composed mainly of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI)-backed candidates.