President Arif Alvi was given a farewell guard of honour on Friday, ahead of presidential elections in the country.

Alvi, a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, was sworn into office on September 9, 2018 after defeating Maulana Fazal ur Rehman and Aitzaz Ahsan.

Although he completed his term last September, Alvi continued to serve in office as elections were delayed in the country.

The Sunni Ittehad Council has nominated Mahmood Achakzai as its candidate for the presidential candidate this time.

He will be competing against Asif Ali Zardari who has been nominated by the governing coalition.

The election for president will take place in the National and Provincial Assemblies simultaneously. Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja will serve as the returning officer for the election.