ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – : The ‘All Party Conference’ convened by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) today in Murree decided to constitute a three-member penal to settle on the name of joint presidential candidate.

The panel will be headed by Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman while the members of the body will be from the PML-N and the PPP. It is reported that the committee is tasked with finalizing the presidential candidate’s name by tomorrow (Aug 26) evening.

According to our correspondent, the PML-N has nominated three names for its presidential nominee which are: former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Sartaj Aziz and Lt. Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch. These names were placed before the opposition members for consideration.

The PPP has already nominated veteran politician Aitzaz Ahsan as its presidential nominee, while PTI has named Arif Alvi as its contestant for the slot.

The major opposition parties invited to the conference included the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Awami National Party.

The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal ─ an alliance of five religious parties ─ also participated in the APC today. The MMA delegation comprised MMA and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, JUI-F Secretary General Liaquat Baloch, and others.

The spokesperson had earlier said that the participants of the meeting would also exchange views on how to play the role of an effective opposition, and would chalk out a protest strategy against alleged rigging in the July 25 polls.

JUI-F’s Liaquat Baloch said that the MMA would hold a meeting on tomorrow (Aug 26) to discuss developments in the APC.

The PML-N is not in favour of Ahsan, arguing that the PPP didn’t consult any of the parties sitting on the opposition benches before making the decision.

Tensions ballooned up between the PPP and PML-N after the former refused to vote for PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif in the Aug 17 election for the office of prime minister due to his controversial statements against the PPP leadership in the past.

PML-N leader Pervez Rasheed yesterday said that the party would consider the name of PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan for the post of president if he visits Adiala prison and apologises to Nawaz Sharif for his remarks.