Former PM Shaukat Aziz not to contest polls
Islamabad (PTI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday announced that he would not contest the January 8 general election for "personal reasons" amidst reports of growing differences between him and ruling PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
"I will not contest the general election," Aziz, who completed his term as Premier on November 15, told a news conference that was also attended by Hussain.
Aziz said he was asked by the PML-Q to contest the polls from eight parliamentary constituencies but had turned down the offer to take a break from active politics.
The former Prime Minister said he had met President Pervez Mushararf to inform him that he wanted to stay away from the polls.
"I have taken the decision due to my personal reasons," he said.
Reports suggested Aziz's decision was influenced by opposition from some PML-Q leaders to him being given a ticket to contest the polls.
It is also believed that Hussain is not keen on Aziz fighting the elections as the PML-Q chief's cousin, former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, is a strong contender for the post of prime minister.
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