ANP refuses to hold talks with PTI

The Awami National Party (ANP) on Thursday refused to hold talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain said: "PTI leader Asad Qaiser contacted us. ANP believes that we were defeated in support of the PTI. The PTI was given to the government in KP by rigging."

"In this situation, negotiations with the PTI as a party are not suitable," he said.

"We [ANP] have announced a protest against rigging in the polls," Hussain said.

– PTI nominates Omar Ayub as candidate for prime minister's slot –

Separately, the PTI had nominated former minister Omar Ayub as its candidate for the prime minister's slot. 

This was announced by former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser while speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where he held a meeting with PTI Founder Imran Khan.

Asad Qaiser also hoped that the prime minister will be from the PTI, adding that the party's mandate was stolen during the recently held elections.