Ahead of the crucial presidential elections, the Sunni Ittehad Council has decided to nominate Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party President Mehmood Khan Achakzai as their candidate for the top constitutional position.

Sources close to the party had earlier revealed that Achakzai, a prominent political figure known for his advocacy for Pashtun rights and his anti-establishment narrative, would be formally announced as the SIC's nominee for the presidency. This move signifies the council's commitment to presenting a candidate who they believe embodies their values and aspirations for the nation.

Later, the Sunni Ittehad Council submitted the nomination papers of its presidential candidate, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, in the Islamabad High Court. His proposer was SIC-backed PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan, who was accompanied to the high court by other party leaders Omar Ayub Khan, Latif Khosa and Amir Dogar.

At the court, Khosa addressed the chief justice, saying they thought he would call them in the chamber and offer tea.

CJ Aamir Farooq said tea could be served after this as well. He added that Omar Ayub and Ali Muhammad Khan had come to court for the first time.

Khan said he had been coming to seek justice, while Khosa said Ayub had appeared for the first time.

Also Read: ECP announces schedule of presidential elections

Earlier, sources within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which decided to ally with the SIC after its party symbol was withdrawn from it, had indicated a strategic approach towards the presidential elections. They had decided against conceding the electoral arena to the PPP's Asif Ali Zardari, who is the candidate for the country's president, on behalf of the multi-party coalition that is set to form government at the Centre.

The sources had suggested that the PTI was actively considering fielding its own candidate for the presidency, underscoring the party's determination to play a significant role in shaping the country's leadership. However, the sources had dismissed the possibility of selecting a candidate from Punjab or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, opting instead to explore options from Sindh or Balochistan.

Also Read: Presidential election process begins as candidates start filing nominations

It was reported that the PTI's legal team is gearing up to submit the nomination papers of the presidential candidate, reflecting the party's meticulous preparations for the upcoming electoral process.

On Friday, Sunni Ittehad Council leader Sher Afzal Marwat hinted at Achakzai being nominated as the party's candidate for the upcoming presidential election.

Speaking to host Kiran Naz in a Samaa TV show, Marwat had said: "There is a possibility that we can field Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the president slot. I have no idea whether the message had been delivered to Mahmood Khan Achakzai in this regard."

Also Read: President Arif Alvi did not support PTI during hardships, claims Sher Afzal Marwat

On Friday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had announced the schedule for the presidential elections. As per the schedule, the candidates can submit their nomination papers till 12 noon on March 2.

The returning officer will scrutinize the nomination papers on March 4 at 10am and the final list of candidates will be displayed on March 5 at 1pm.

“Polling for the presidential election will be held on March 9 from 10am to 4pm, while polling will be held in the Parliament House and the four provincial assemblies,” the election schedule stated.