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The PPP on Sunday decided to put forward senior leader Aitzaz Ahsan's name for the post of president, sources within the party told DawnNewsTV.
An official announcement in this regard will be made after consultation with other opposition parties, the sources said.
PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari also took JUI-F's Maulana Fazlur Rehman into confidence over the party's decision and requested him to play a role in convincing the PML-N to support Ahsan as a presidential candidate, the sources said.
Relations between the PPP and PML-N have been tense since the former refused to support Shahbaz Sharif as candidate for prime minister and abstained from voting in the Lower House, making his contest against Imran Khan a one-sided affair.
Ties continued to sour after the PPP withdrew its support to the PML-N, with reports suggesting that the latter was seeking to oust PPP leader Sherry Rehman from her position as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and attempting to replace her with Raja Zafarul Haq.
The PPP also abstained from voting earlier in the election for Punjab Assembly speaker and deputy speaker, and in today's election for Punjab chief minister, which PML-N's Hamza Shahbaz lost to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's Usman Buzdar by 27 votes.
Meanwhile, the PTI has nominated Arif Alvi as its candidate for president.
The presidential election is set to take place on Sept 4. The last day for the submission of nomination papers is Aug 27.
Who is Aitzaz Ahsan?
PPP leader Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, 72, is a former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and a senior SC advocate.
He has legally defended three prime ministers of Pakistan. Known for his strong pro-democracy stance, he was an active member of the Movement of Restoration of Democracy under former dictator Ziaul Haq's martial law, because of which he was jailed multiple times.
He was also actively involved in the 2007 lawyers' movement under former dictator Pervez Musharraf and supported former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.
He founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and was a close associate of deceased human rights lawyer and activist Asma Jahangir.
Born on September 27, 1945 in Murree, he received his early education from Aitchison College and Government College, Lahore. He later studied law at Cambridge University.
Equipped with his education in law and jurisprudence, Ahsan appeared in Pakistan’s prestigious Central Superior Services (CSS) examination. However, he did not join government service in defiance of Ayub Khan’s military rule.
He began his political career with the PPP in the '70s and was elected to the Punjab Assembly on PP-28 (Gujrat) in 1972. In 1977, he was re-elected to PP-28. During this decade, he also served as Punjab information, planning and development minister under the PPP government.
In 1977, he left the PPP over allegations of rigging in the General Election and later joined Air Marshal retired Asghar Khan's Tehreek-i-Istaqlal.
He rejoined the PPP in 1988, before the formation of Benazir Bhutto's government, and was elected to NA-93 (Lahore). He served as interior minister and law minister during this time.
He was re-elected to NA-93 in the 1990 election, but lost the seat in 1993 to PML-N's Humayun Akhtar.
He was elected to the Senate in 1994 and served as Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition by turn until his tenure expired in 1999.
In 2002, he again participated in the General election and won NA-124 (Lahore), and NA-187 (Bahawalpur), retaining the former. He did not take part in the 2008 elections due to his involvement in the lawyers' movement.
In 2009, his membership of PPP's central executive committee was cancelled over charges of criticising party leadership, taking part in rallies, and holding marches in violation of the party’s policy.
In 2012, he was elected to the Senate again on a technocrat seat representing the PPP and again served as Leader of the Opposition. His tenure expired in March 2018.
Comments (46) Closed
Considering his decades old association with the PPP and being faithful/answerable to Zardari, it is certainly a Good choice.
My concern is: will Aitzaz Hassan act impartially according to his oath and constitutional guidelines? - I have my strong reservations!
After the stunts they pulled in the lower house and the Punjab assembly today, Zardari's wish seems more of a pipe dream.
My unforgettable dilemma > whom to vote and whom to oppose between Arif Alvi nominated by PM Imran for President or Aitzaz Ahsan nominated by PPP? PM Imran is my favorite and Pakistan Ambassador to Kuwait HE Karamatullah Khan Ghori assigned me to be Imran PRO when he came here in 1992 and 1993 for collecting money for his hospital. HE Sheikh Nasser Al Sabah, Dy PM & Defense Minister and son on Amir HH Sh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah studied with Imran in UK thus he hosted lunch in Imran honor which I also attended. I have been quite instrumental to collect money for him so quite naturally I am with him. Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan taught me during 1966-69 at Punjab University, Lahore hence I have great respect for him. Incidentally President Musharraf is my Bhaijan (he is born Aug 43 I am Dec 43) and when Barrister Aitzaz pleaded and got CJP Iftikhar reinstated I captioned ‘My teacher shines and my favorite dims’ which was flashed in newspaper. I cannot vote but yet will someone enlighten me, Ehsan hoga. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / zaidi.formerdiplomat@hotmail.com
An attempt in futility by the cunning and crooked and "movers and shakers" of PPP, who are just trying to effect a "marketing gimmick" by nominating their "lawyer-in-chief" for the coveted but ceremonial vacant position of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In fact, it would have been much better if they would have done so 10 years ago, when their party won the general elections in the country. Rest as they say is history.
good choice!!!
I am a PTI supporter but I would vote for Aitizaz Ahson
Good choices from both sides.
Wow. Didn't know that he remained a federal minister twice too. Generally saying, he's got an impressive resume.
It will be a shame if he is not elected
Interesting! PPP did not vote for Shabaz. Let us see if PMLN vote for Aitzaz, who was the biggest supporter of Panama leaks investigations, the JIT, and sending Nawaz Sharif behind bars.
lol no chance for him, alvi will be president
Didn't he defend Nawaz Sharif in Panama case?
Does Naya Pakistan have room for "anything for a buck" lawyers?
Good luck AA
He should have left PPP, one corrupt family dominated party, like many others, a long time ago. He may have a better chance of working with PTI.
Pmln will never vote for this person due to his controversial statements against sharif brothers and pmln.
Its look like zardari successfully deminished all hopes of combined opposition president.
Dr alvi all set to become next president of pakistan ceremonial post but should be controlled by imran khan top loyalist.
He would make an excellent president.
A really great choice for the President. He is respected by all
If the PPP really wanted PML-N's help for Aitzaz, they should not have refused to support Shahbaz's candidacy for PM. Now PPP find themselves in deep water. Without PML-N support Aitzaz does not have a realistic chance..
Though I have high respect and regards for the barrister Ahsan , he is a sure looser in this race even if PML-N votes for him , Though the PML-N should pay in kind the same currency as Asif Ali Zardari of PPP paid to it in the National Assembly as well as in the Punjab Assembly ( attend the sessions in the election of the president of Pakistan But Do Not vote for either candidate and if PTI candidate win , so it be ) . The balance will not be yet settled cos , PML-N as per its multiparty accord , voted for the Speaker ( of PPP candidate ) and dyp speaker (of MMA candidate ) , ONLY PPP did not respect the agreement . So on moral grounds PML-N will be upright in Not voting for the PPP candidate and they should tell the go between maulana in no uncertain terms that PPP has lost credibility and we do jot trust AAZ anymore .
Whats the point of these nomination from less majority parties when they know they wont be able to win.... let them win the majority party unopposed and save time
Aitzaz Ahsan is best choice Presidentship. Maximum members of Parliament shall support him due to his long and outstanding sacrifices for revival of Democracy in the during all periods of dictatorship in the Country.
Wonder why he is still stuck to PPP. Hope sense prevail.
Aitzaz Ahsan has been venomous against the Sharif family. There is no chance of PML(N) supporting him for any office. Moe likely, he will be a joint candidate of PTI and PPP.
We Indians wish best to Pakistan and to Lawyer Aitzaz Hasan to become President of Pakistan.
He is the single most deserving person in today’s pakistan for this position.
Aitzaz Ahsan is a worthy choice, but why waste his talent as a President. President of Pakistan has little power and less to do. He should have been nominated for a more meaningful position.
Aitzaz Ahsan is a good guy in the company of crooks...
There is no need to support PPP now
Being forbidding my friends legislators about Dr Arif Alvi since he’s too much business oriented & non-philanthropic. Yet sad to learn that PPP nominated infamous lawyer Aitezaz Ahsan for august slot of Presidency, there could not be biggest mischief with the nation than siding with any person who knowingly plead cases of money launderers or plunderers. PPP must review its decision, there are much honest and saner persons, could be chosen. If still you can’t decide or even PML(N) too failed to upfront a sober man, then better accept Dr Arif Alvi, he is far better than Aitezaz Ahsan.
A good choice...indeed
Why not. No harm in trying.
I am nit a ppp supporter but aitzaz ahsan is a good knowledgeable man. He is Author of the indus saga which should be read by all pakistanis.
Look at these looters trying so hard to avoid accountability. They know IK is coming after them, they shall all get what yhe richly deserve
Malik Riaz's lawyer Aitazaz Ahsan?
PML-N should not vote for Aitzaz! He can not even win a councillor seat in Lahore.
After not supporting Shahbaz Sharif now PPP wants PML-N to support Aitzaz Ahsan. What cheek.
Bad idea.
PML-N shall never ever support PPP.
It shall remain firm and resolute to bounce back to power in all states, including Sindh and at center.
It is coming ,coming pretty soon.
Ppp nominates the so called 'nazriyati' people, when they are more than sure that their nominee will lose. Had zardari an iota of hope to win, he would have chosen himsleves.
After all that happened in the voting for PM and assembly speakers, I can't imagine that PMLn will vote for Aitzaz Ahsan. Also, Imran's team should be strong. Arif Alvi should be president.
My issue, Aitaza Ahsan, one of the top leaders of PPP, who also happens to protect Asif Ali Zardari, I cannot find a single reason to neither support Mr Ahsan nor can I ever have respect for him, he’s burnt those bridges, despite the fact that he has an impressive resume. You are judged by the company you keep.
@ Anti-Corruption_Pakistani - Agreed...no one from PPP and PML-N and rest of them have any credibility...they are all corrupt..wanting to get something in to continue the corruption in the new govt !
Zardari plans to have Ahsan as a president and received pardons from him. Nice move!
With Aitzaz being the most vocal critic of Sharif family during Panama leaks, let us see if PMLN vote for him.
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani
Aitzaz Hassan is a patriotic pakistani and he will do what is good for Pakistan. Zardari will not come in his way.
He is a very smart gentleman of high credibility. We wish him good luck.
@Tunda Thakur
Yup, that is the right decision for Pakistan.