Presidential race begins

Last day Convener Save Judiciary Committee Abdul Rasheed Qureshi had obtained the forms for Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan but they could not file papers because SJC could not find proposer and seconder to sign the papers.

Two other bar members Sheikh Mumtaz Advocate and Chaudhry Nisar Ahmed Kausar Advocate had also got forms to participate in the presidential election. Presidential elections are scheduled on September 06.

Staff Reporter from Karachi adds: Nine presidential candidates here submitted their nomination papers to the Acting Chief Justice of Sindh High Court, Azizullah Memon.

Leaders of Sindh coalition government belonging to the PPP, ANP and MQM had filed the nomination papers of Asif Ali Zardari while eight independent candidates also submitted their papers for the presidential election.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Shoaib Bukhari, Faisal Sabzwari of MQM, ANP minister Ameer Nawab, Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza, provincial ministers Sassi Palejo, Shazia Marri, Nargis ND Khan, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, Ayaz Soomro, Makhdoom Jameeluz Zaman, Murad Ali Shah, Agha Siraj Durani, Pir Mazharul Haq, Manzoor Wassan, Jam Mehtab, Qadir Magsi, Nadir Magsi, Saleem Khursheed Khokar, Haji Munawar Abbasi, Ali Nawaz Shah and MQM member Dr Safdar Ahmed were also present.

A total of 17 nomination papers were submitted including 9 on behalf of PPP candidate Asif Ali Zardari and 8 others from the independent candidates.

Last date for the submission of nomination papers is August 28 while candidates can withdraw their papers till August 30. The final list will be issued on August 30.

Staff Reporter from Peshawar adds: Chairman Qaumi Ittehad Party MA Sherazi has submitted his nomination papers for presidency to Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court, who is also the returning officer.

Sherazi had also filed papers for the last presidential election held on October 6, 2007.