Opposition parties to nominate Aitzaz Ahsan for Pak presidency

Islamabad, Aug 8 (UNI) Pakistani opposition parties are considering nominating Barrister Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan as a presidential candidate to oppose General Pervez Musharraf in the upcoming presidential elections.

Ahsan, a renowned jurist and a top leader of Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP), earned fame within and outside Pakistan for pursuing Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry's case in the Supreme Court, challenging his suspension under a presidential reference.

Private Online news agency quoted sources as saying that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal and Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement, comprising nationalist parties, have agreed to accept Aitzaz Ahsan as a presidential candidate, but the PPP has not given its final nod.

These political parties have started negotiations. Ahsan has expressed his readiness for the position and has left the final decision to the opposition parties.

Presidential elections are due in Pakistan between September 15 and October 15.

UNI