With the backing of PTI, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, a fiery Pashtun nationalist leader from Balochistan, has submitted his nomination papers for the upcoming presidential election on March 9. He is set to contest against PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari. Other citizens have also filed nomination papers with the presiding officer, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq. Zardari is being backed by the PML-N-led eight-party coalition, while Achakzai is supported by the PTI-Sunni Ittehad Council alliance. The final list of candidates will be issued on March 5, with polling scheduled for March 9. Mr. Zardari previously served as president from 2008 to 2013, while Mr. Achakzai’s nomination comes after a recent forceful speech in the National Assembly.