PML-N criticises PPP for boycott of presidential election

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday criticised the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in Sindh for boycotting the presidential polls and extended gratitude to the opposition parties including MQM and PML-F for supporting its candidate.
Former Chief Minister Sindh, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, told newsmen that almost all political parties of the province have been in alliance with MQM since 1985. "There is no harm to have a political alliance with the MQM," he said. He said that PPP failed to follow its own policy of political reconciliation by boycotting the presidential polls. He showed ignorance of rifts within the party on alliance with MQM.
PML-N parliamentary leader, Irfanullah Khan Marwat appreciated the MQM and PML-F for their support to his party's presidential candidate. He said the PML-N and MQM were not in a political alliance rather his party's move was for securing support for presidential election. "If there is anything about political alliance with MQM then we will indeed give our reaction," he made his position clear. "Yes our party's candidate received one vote less than the expected but 64 votes were enough to celebrate," he added.
MQM
Leader of the opposition in Sindh Assembly and MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari hoped the new President will strengthen the bond of federating units of the country. He said that MQM legislators voted to PML-N's presidential candidate, Mamnoon Hussain in the light of his party's parliamentary party decision. He said Mamnoon Hussain visited his party's headquarters - Nine Zero to gain his party's support. He dispelled the impression that there was any development on MQM joining the PML-N led government. He said the PPP boycott of presidential polls was its own decision.
PML-F PML-F's legislator - Imtiaz Shaikh said his party supported the PML-N's candidate in presidential polls on the directives of party's chief, Pir Pagara. He said the PML-F had no objections on PML-N move to seek MQM support in presidential election, however, had PML-F been taken on board by PML-N being its coalition partner, they would have appreciated it. He said instead of boycotting the polls, the PPP should have gone to the Supreme Court for reviewing its decision. He said his party is open to submit proposal to improve the existing local bodies' law of 1979.