ISLAMABAD: In the Senate session held today, members have expressed grave concern regarding the transparency of the electoral process while the interim government has been accused of gross incompetence and picking favourites. The resignation demand of Punjab Chief Minister Hassan Askari has also been put on the table.
Members of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) criticized the interim government and Election Commision of Pakistan (ECP) extensively in the Senate meeting.
Raza Rabbani questioned the ECP as to why they were oblivious to the targeting of PML-N and PPP. He further reiterated that hundreds of PML-N workers are still under arrest and questioned once more as to how the arrest of party workers can be a display of free and transparent elections.
He further questioned the ECP as to why army officials are now allowed to be present within the polling stations on election day when clearly their duty is to maintain safety.
The PML-N senator warned that if the elections are rigged to bring a “test tube baby” to power, there will be serious consequences.
He further criticized NAB’s “witch hunting” and questioned that while Imran Khan was allotted time to appear before NAB because of his busy schedule campaigning, PML-N leaders like Hanif Abbasi are being ordered to court everyday and further questioned the fairness of such proceedings.
The opposition leader Sherry Rehman also expressed uncertainty about the direction that the establishment has chosen to take and commented that the electoral process and the masses are poles apart. She questioned the ECP that on what are account individuals belonging to declared terrorist and banned, hateful organizations being allowed to contest elections? She further argued that if such individuals become members of Parliament, no breathing space will be left for the Assembly. She reiterated that the ECP needs to review its priorities in terms of what they are promoting.
PML-N’s Senator also said that on what account is the Election Commision picking favorites and on what grounds did the Punjab Chief Minister inform a Indian Newspaper that PTI will prevail in Punjab? The PML-N senator along with others demanded the resignation of Hassan Askari.
Raja Zafarullah went on to say that the crack down in Lahore prior to Nawaz Sharif’s return goes to show that the interim government is not quite well rounded in intelligence. He further said that the demonizing of PML-N by the ECP is distasteful to say the least and further claimed that it is clear that the ECP has no real authority in this election and the masses are only being alienated in such a environment.
