GDA boycott presidential election, vows continued protest

KARACHI, March 9: The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) announced its boycott of the presidential election on Saturday, joining a growing movement against the current government. Party leader Sadruddin Shah Rashidi declared they would not participate in the vote, calling it an attempt to "impose a viceroy" and an insult to the public's mandate.
"We reject this bogus election," said Rashidi in a press conference on Saturday. "The results of the general elections are still pending, yet they rush through the presidential vote. Our protest will continue until this illegitimate government ends."
The GDA's decision follows a similar announcement from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Rehman denied a request for cooperation from the People's Party, stating his party would not cast a vote in the election.
Rashidi expressed solidarity with the ongoing protests led by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. He emphasized that the GDA's struggle would remain "within the framework of the constitution."
This growing boycott casts a shadow on the upcoming presidential election, raising questions about its legitimacy and potentially further heightening political tensions in Pakistan.