Pakistan

PTI will expose those involved in horse-trading: Imran Khan

Govt made sincere efforts to end horse-trading, says Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid

Qamar Zaman March 02, 2015

PTI will now fight the Senate elections with a renewed commitment to expose and defeat those trying to buy their way into the Senate, said Imran Khan. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Monday reaffirmed his party’s intent to contest the upcoming Senate elections but cast doubt over the government’s intent to curb horse-trading in the polls.

“It has become evident that the government’s intentions to end horse-trading by bringing in a constitutional amendment were never sincere and that also reflects in the fact that the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is taking off for Saudi Arabia at this crucial time,” the PTI chairman said in a statement.

PTI had called for open balloting in the Senate elections as opposed to the incumbent secret ballot procedure, for ensuring transparent and fair elections. The Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) led government showed its willingness to end secret ballots and held an all party conference to secure support for the move. PTI lent the government its support and even sent its representatives to the APC to deliberate over the proposed 22nd constitutional amendment. But the move eventually fell through when the government failed to convince everyone.

On Monday, Imran said that his party would in no way support either Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) or PML-N in its undemocratic, corrupt designs for the Senate, adding that he himself would lead PTI's efforts to ensure clean Senate elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and expose the horse-trading that is presently taking place.

Squashing the rumors about PTI’s own alleged deals with other parties over Senate elections, Imran said that there was neither any deal nor can there be. He said that PTI will contest the elections with a renewed commitment to expose and defeat those trying to buy their way into the Senate.

PTI chief regretted that his efforts to persuade PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to oppose horse-trading had failed. He alleged that the PPP opposed open balloting because it was deeply involved in horse-trading along with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F).

Govt made sincere efforts to end horse-trading: Rashid

Federal Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid claimed that the government has made sincere efforts to end horse-trading, Radio Pakistan reported.

Taking a swipe at PTI, the minister said that Imran should understand that improvement in political system is only possible through reconciliation and cooperation.

He further claimed that horse-trading would have been eliminated had the PTI joined the electoral reforms committee and put forth its suggestions.

COMMENTS (6)

Blithe | 9 years ago | Reply @WAQAS KHAN: He is a decisive figure after he physically staged attacks in concert with cleric Qadari on policemen and state buildings

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply @WAQAS KHAN: Couldn't agree more. He introduced the term "U-TURN" in Pakistani politics in its true letter and spirit.