ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and its allied parties on Friday failed to convince Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Ameer Maulana Fazlur Rehman to drop his candidacy for the post of Prime Minister.

A delegation comprised Khurshid Shah, Chaudhry Shujaat, Qamar Zaman Kaira and other representatives from coalition partners visited Maulana Fazlur Rehman hours before the National Assembly is due to vote for the a new premier.

Fazlur Rehman sought more time saying he will hold consultation with his party members over the matter.

The ruling Pakistan Peoples’ Party surprisingly announced that Raja Pervez Ashraf will be their candidate for the premiership.

Speaking to the media, Khurshid Shah said that they had come to the JUI-F chief for help and had requested him for support in the election of leader of the house. He further said they would accept the decision of Fazlur Rehman.

Fazlur Rehman also spoke at the occasion saying it would have been better if the PPP had come to him before finalizing its candidate.

He said, “I will give my decision about my withdrawal after consulting with party workers. It would have been better if he had been consulted before nominating Raja Pervaiz Ashraf for the prime minister”.

Earlier on Thursday, he predicted martial law if the re-election of the prime minister failed, adding that it was better if the top slot were occupied by a politician rather than a general.

The JUI-F chief said the situation was getting more and more complicated and martial law would become imminent if the ruling party did not act wisely.

He asserted, “I have not submitted papers to withdraw. I went to meet Chaudhry Shujaat because I am a candidate for the slot of leader of the house”.

Giving justification of his nomination papers, he said he was an undisputed candidate to establish political harmony at the critical times. In his view, a unanimous candidate could steer the country out of the prevailing crisis. (online)

For urdu click: http://urdu.aaj.tv/national/2012/06/22/114882_2_story.html