LAHORE, Sept 3: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (JUP) will support the Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate in the presidential polls.

A JUP delegation, consisting of JUP President Dr Abual Khair Muhammad Zubair, senior vice-president Pir Ijaz Hashmi and general secretary Ali Haider Noor Niazi, met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and assured their support to PML-N presidential candidate Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui.

Both sides were unanimously believed that the country was passing through a critical phase as international conspiracies were being hatched to break it up, said Mr Hashmi, adding that the situation warranted that both the PML-N and the JUP work together to counter the intrigues.

He said both parties agreed to increase mutual political interaction and cooperation.

Also, Mr Hashmi condemned the assault on prime minister’s vehicle in Islamabad. He said the law and order situation deteriorated because the Pakistan People’s party (PPP) after coming into power did not investigate into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto on Dec 27 last year.

“Had the government ascertained and arrested the killers of Ms Bhutto, no force would have dared to target Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s convoy.”