QUETTA: The PML-Q’s parliamentary group in the Balochistan Assembly has decided to vote for PML-N’s candidate Mamnoon Hussain in the presidential election.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, PML-Q parliamentary leader in the provincial assembly Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhel said the central leadership of the party had empowered the provincial parliamentary party to take its own decision regarding the presidential election keeping in view the situation in Balochistan.

Mr Mandokhel was accompanied by PML-N’s provincial chief Sardar Sanaullah Zehri, Balochistan Assembly’s Deputy Speaker Abdul Quddoos Bizenjo and PML-Q’s MPAs Dr Ruqayya Hashmi, Amanullah Notezai and Abdul Karim Nosherwani.

The PML-Q will boycott the presidential election in the Senate, National Assembly and provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh and Khybar Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr Mandokhel said the decision to support the PML-N’s candidate had been taken after consultations with the party’s central leadership.

He said the PML-Q had good understanding with the PML-N in the Balochistan Assembly and it had extended unconditional support to latter’s parliamentary party leader Sardar Sanaullah Zehri for the post of chief minister after the general elections.

Welcoming the PML-Q’s support, Mr Zehri said the Q League’s decision was a good omen for democracy.

He said the two parties were working together to strengthen democracy and they would further strengthen their ties in future.

Mir Abdul Karim Nosherwani of PML-Q said the decision to support the PML-N’s candidate had been taken in the larger interest of people and democracy.