The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have decided to hold presidential elections ahead of the Senate polls, proposing March 8 as the date for the selection of the new president.

Both parties have suggested that presidential elections be held immediately after the oath-taking ceremonies of the assemblies.

PPP’s Co-Chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, is expected to be the candidate for the presidency from the government’s alliances.

It is noteworthy that Dr Arif Alvi became the country’s fourth president to have completed his term of five years on September 8, 2023.

However, due to the absence of the electoral college for the president’s election, Dr Arif Alvi remained the president of the country, and he has become one of the few heads of state in the country’s history whose tenure has been extended.

Under Article 44 (1) of the Constitution, the president shall hold office for a term of five years from the day he assumes charge of his office, but he/she shall continue to hold office until their successor is elected.

It is mandated by the law that the president is elected by the members of both houses (National Assembly and Senate) and the members of the provincial assemblies.

On February 4, Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said that after the elections, Asif Zardari will be the candidate of the party for presidentship.