ISLAMABAD: Dr Arif Alvi of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been elected as 13th President of Pakistan, according to unofficial results. The PTI with the support of its allied parties has fielded Karachi-based Arif Alvi, whereas Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians’ presidential candidate is Aitzaz Ahsan. JUI-Fazl’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman is in the poll arena on the behalf of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and some other opposition groups.
It is believed had the opposition parties been able to field a joint candidate, they would have made a match against PTI’s candidate. However, the PPP, PML-N and other parties failed to sink their differences and this will be to the advantage of Alvi, who is to replace PML-N’s Mamnoon Hussain, whose five-year term ends on September 9.
Unlike the PTI and PPPP, which actively moved around to garner support for their respective candidates, the PML-N and other opposition parties were not seen much enthusiastic to campaign for their candidate. Out of total of 158 votes, Aitzaz Ahsan bagged 100 votes while PTI candidate Arif Alvi secured 56. Two votes were rejected. As per formula, Aitzaz Ahsan got 39 and Arif Alvi 22.
Balochistan Assembly: Arif Alvi wins. Alvi has won from Balochistan securing 45 votes. Opposition candidate Fazl-ul-Rehman received 15 while PPP's Aitzaz Ahsan bagged zero votes.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Arif Alvi wins. Arif Alvi is leading with 78 votes in KP Assembly, Fazl received 26 while Aitzaz got 5 votes. As per formula, Alvi secured 41 votes and Fazl 13 votes.
'Professional and honest'
Minister for Information and Fawad Chaudhry said Alvi is a thorough professional and honest person and his commitment with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and party’s vision is beyond any doubt.
'Historic election'
Aitzaz Ahsan termed today's election as historic in Pakistani political history. He was of the view that the election of president is a matter of contentment.
'Not sent for hibernation'
PTI's candidate Arif Alvi was seemed confident of his victory in today's election. Talking to media upon his arrival at the Parliament House, Alvi said this is a start of making of 'Naya Pakistan' and my party has not selected me for the office to go in hibernation after being elected. Alvi said that he would focus equally on all federating units for launching development projects and priorities for provision of basic amenities to masses. “PTI strongly believes in strengthening democracy,” he added.
He said water crisis is looming large and it would be the priority of the government to conserve water and evolve strategies for meeting the future water needs. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza is the returning officer for the electoral exercise while the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has provided voters lists and ballot papers to the chief justices of the four high courts, who will be acting as presiding officers. The chief justice of Islamabad High Court will perform this duty at the Parliament House.
Election of the president is conducted under Article 41 of the Constitution for a term of five years and the minimum age for a candidate to contest the presidential election is 45 years.
